“Where were you when God passed out brains? Sometimes our words and actions warrant this kind of criticism. But, we can become wiser. We are never too old to learn. And God will teach us to be wise; if we are willing to listen to Him. God has some important truths for us to learn. Knowing these truths will make us wiser. Let’s pay attention, then, so that no one will question our intelligence in the future.

Solomon’s use of “Wisdom”:

• As encouragement for his son (and for us his children in the one true faith) to avoid the temptations of sin and listen to his instruction

“God wants you, His child, to be both happy on earth and blessed in heaven. For this reason He wants you to know His will.” (Our current ELS publication of  Luther’s Small “Catechism & Explanation”)

• As the third use of the law, instruction in Christian living which is done in response to God’s love in Christ.

“A striking feature of Proverbs is the frequent use of the word “heart” (almost 100 times). Although the book deals with human behavior, it constantly points to the source of that behavior, namely, the condition of our heart. The Old Testament Hebrew word for heart (leb) was rarely used for the physical organ. Rather, it referred to the entire inner life of emotions, will, intellect, and personality. If there is to be true change in outward behavior, it must start from within the heart.

Biblical wisdom finds its highest fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very wisdom of God.  Only the gospel of Christ can work a true change of heart and make us “wise for salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15).” (Proverbs, The People’s Bible Commentary, NPH, page 4)

This third use of the law is a guide that shows believers how to live as children of God.  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

How to read the book of Proverbs and read antithetical ideas

The book of Proverbs often makes use of antithetical parallelism, in that opposite or contrasting thoughts are presented:

“The righteous eat to their heart’s content,

But the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.” (13:25)

This is wisdom taught by presenting the positive and the negative.

Some special areas in the Christian’s life:

Trusting God—3:5-6

5    Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

     And lean not on your own understanding;

6    In all your ways acknowledge Him,

     And He shall direct your paths.

Industriousness (look at the ant)—10:4-5

 4   He who has a slack hand becomes poor,

     But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5    He who gathers in summer is a wise son;

     He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

Self control—10:19

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,

But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Balance—30:7-9

 7   Two things I request of You

     (Deprive me not before I die):

8    Remove falsehood and lies far from me;

     Give me neither poverty nor riches—

     Feed me with the food allotted to me;

9    Lest I be full and deny You,

     And say, “Who is the Lord?”

     Or lest I be poor and steal,

     And profane the name of my God.

“Anyone who intends to become righteous might well take this [Proverbs] as a handbook or prayer book for his daily use, read it often, and ponder his own life in it.” (Martin Luther)

Continue to seek the wisdom of God through which He blesses your life hear on earth.  And continue to grow wiser—through Jesus Christ, who is the very wisdom of God!

Gene R. Lilienthal is pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Brownsburg, Indiana.