BreadOfLife

Proverbs speaks of two different types of safety. One leads to true and lasting security, while the other only offers a false security. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.” (18:11-12)

“Pride goes before destruction.” (16:18) Unchecked sinful pride leads to eternal destruction. Pray for humble hearts so that we place God’s wisdom above our proud, sin-tainted reason. “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus.” (Galatians 6:14)

Proverbs offers more than guidance for daily life. In several places it teaches that the Word of God gives eternal life. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” (13:14 ESV) As Peter once said of Jesus: “You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

There is a sharp contrast between how the godly ( the believer in Christ) and the wicked (the unbeliever) communicate. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword. But the tongue of the wise promotes health.” (12:18) The Gospel of Christ ,above all else, gives health to our sin stricken souls.

Many blessings flow from a godly life. Some examples: “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” (11:2)) A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches. (11:16) Yes, blessing flow from a godly life. Yet we remember sinners are saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus alone.

We come back to the core message of Proverbs. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (9:10) True wisdom is found only in the Lord. (Again, the pinnacle of all wisdom is Christ crucified.) Sadly, most choose folly over wisdom. Only by God’s grace can we cling in faith to wisdom.

Wisdom speaks of herself as “from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.” (8:23) This is referring to Jesus Christ, Who, at creation, stood by God the Father as a master craftsman. Jesus is the everlasting God, and our Savior. In Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3)

Unlike evil lurking in the shadows, wisdom shouts its message in public for all to hear. Where the paths meet (at the crossroads of life), we are often faced with difficult decisions, wisdom is there to guide us. This is not any kind of wisdom, but the wisdom of Christ and His perfect Word.

The consequences of sexual immorality are devastating. Godly parents will faithfully teach their children the blessings of chastity. Our bodies were bought at a high price, and are also the temples of the Holy Spirit. Let us, therefore, honor God with our bodies.

Laziness is something to guard against, especially in doing the Lord’s work. Solomon points to the ant as an example of industriousness. Ants have initiative, not needing someone to prod them to keep working. Let’s learn the lesson of the ant, and thank Jesus for not being a slacker when it came to saving us.

The longer one walks the path of wisdom in Christ, the brighter that path becomes. One day believers will walk in the brightness of that perfect day, in the very presence of He Who is Light itself. So always “let your eyes look straight ahead” (4:25) to Christ and life to come.

Man has a sinful propensity to trust in himself, to be wise in his own heart. But wisdom calls us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (3:5)