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Inheritance of wisdom is the inheritance of faith
(Proverbs 4)
Andy Nagahara
Today, we are in chapter 4 of our series on the book of Proverbs, which consists of three sections: verses 1-9, 10-19, and 20-27. So far, we have learned that the “wisdom” found in Proverbs is not merely insight for the purpose of making life comfortable. We also noted that “wisdom” is something God gives us in his good time, and not something that we strive for and accumulate on our own. So, I think you already know that to gain the kind of wisdom recommended in Proverbs and not to let it go is to know Jesus well and to walk closely with him. The Bible teaches us in many places that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Let us keep this in mind as we listen to the words of the “Father” this morning. Let’s begin with verse 9.
1. Passing on wisdom as faith to the next generation (1-9)
1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,
4 he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”
What the “father” is emphasizing here is that “wisdom” is something that is passed on to the next generation.The father is telling his son that his own father impressed upon him the importance of wisdom. And now he is passing this understanding along to his son so that he can pass it down to his own descendants. This call highlights the importance of tradition for the Jewish people. As a minority group, it was of utmost importance for them to rely on wisdom, that is, to walk with God and listen to Him, in order to survive in the presence of powerful neighboring nations.However, as we see in the historical books of the Old Testament, the people of Israel repeatedly go astray and invite trouble into their midst.
Even the desire to follow God’s wisdom could be warped and corrupted from time to time. The “legalism” that Jesus rebuked was due to this corruption. It is the error of elevating human rules derived from a particular interpretation of God’s will instead of honoring God’s will. In doing so, it’s possible to go against God’s will while intending to honor it.
Unfortunately, this error is still a reality in the modern Christian church. Some leaders preach a faith that is a list of dos and don’ts. Straying from God’s will, they insist that others follow rules that are consistent with their particular values. These leaders use certain Biblical passages that line up with what they believe and insist that faith is about following these rules. For example, there have been prohibitions on alcohol, tobacco, and other luxury items, justifications for male dominance, justifications for discrimination against sexual minorities, and demands for donations and attendance at worship services. Churches have also passed these values on to the next generation. It is meaningless to use the authority of elders to force children to go through the right motions. Faith is not just an outward action, but an internal matter of trust in God.
What we should do is to demonstrate our trust in GodSo there is nothing else we can do but to show them our trust in God. And a big part of this trust means that we accept and love our children as they are. We don’t need to obsess about their church attendance.
As I have said many times before, the church is not a building, but a community that we create together. People who are connected to you are connected to the church and by extension, to Jesus. Even Paul, who is often quoted to support male dominance, wrote this:
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. (I Corinthians 7:14)
All we can and should do is to show our children, and the generations that follow, that we are trusting in God and walking in the wisdom that comes from God. There is no need to be excessively timid, prideful or regretful.
2. The wisdom to know whether it is a path to follow or a path to avoid (10-19)
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
The “father” has seen what a great blessing it is to be guided by God as he journeys through life. He exhorts his son not to miss out on this blessing. By contrast, he describes the misery of those who live apart from God and almost pleads with the son not to go down that road.
Then, in verses 17 and 18, the words “light” and “darkness,” one of the greatest contrasts in the natural world, are used to highlight the contrast between following the path of wisdom and ignoring it. This light is God’s light. It is the light that illuminates things so that we can see them clearly. This light keeps us from getting lost. Darkness is the absence of light. It is the absence of God. Without God’s light, we cannot see where obstacles lie. We won’t be able to identify the voices that lead us astray and bring us trouble.
The reason the Father is so insistent in his delivery is that we are all at risk of wandering off God’s path, and there are many cleverly laid traps that try to lure us away. In the last part of our passage, the Father goes on to tell us how to hold on to wisdom and not let it go. Let’s read on.
3. Faith expressed with the whole body (20-27)
20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
There are a number of parts of our body listed here in the original language. Which body parts did you notice?
The NIV does not mention the ears, which are translated as “gaze” in English, and the eyes, heart, the whole body, mouth, lips, eyelashes or eyelids. Eyelashes, or eyelids, are also translated as “gaze” in both Japanese and English.
I think the takeaway from this is that living according to God’s wisdom and obeying God is not easy to do and requires our whole selves with all of its different parts and functions.
God speaks through the words of actual people whose words we can hear. We see God’s wisdom at work in the lives others through their actions. Wisdom helps us control the words that come out of our mouths. Wisdom points our feet toward those in need so that it can benefit others.
It is, to:
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (DEUT 6:5)
Let us worship with all our heart, soul, and strength this morning so that we will not fail to receive the grace that God wants give us.
(Prayer) Dear God, thank you for guiding us each day.
Please prepare our hearts to hear from you.
When we face important decisions, help us to choose wisely in your wisdom.
Please help us to serve others with the wisdom that you give.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Summary
The wisdom we are to know, keep, and use is that which God reveals to us each day. Sometimes, God teaches us by speaking directly to our hearts, and other times, it is through the words and actions of others. The starting point of wisdom is to know the Lord. For this reason, we should worship the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength above all.
For Discussion
1. Please share how you were helped by God’s wisdom.
2. What do you want to pass on to the next generation?