May 31, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill\u00a0wisdom\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>in God\u2019s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is\u00a0generally<\/em> true in principle, not a\u00a0universally\u00a0<\/em>true promise. Let\u2019s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!<\/p>\n\n\n\n This chapter in Proverbs addresses all kinds of issues, everything from speaking what is true (v.5) and being cautious and discerning (v.16) to being generous to the poor (v.21, 31) and slow to anger (v.17, 29). Amidst these various issues the proverbs are addressing, we see in verse 6 that \u201cA scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A recurring theme throughout the Proverbs is a contrast being drawn between the wise man and the fool, and this verse is no exception! We see here that those who are \u201cscoffers\u201d or foolish in their thinking and living will be unable to find wisdom even if they sincerely try to; indeed, the author tells us in verse 12 that \u201cThere is a way that\u00a0seems<\/em> right to a man, but its end is the way to death\u201d (emphasis mine). So the fool who seeks after wisdom may think that he has found it, but in truth he has only found the road to death!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those who have understanding, on the other hand, are able to find wisdom with ease! What sets the two apart from each other is the posture of their heart; we learned in the beginning of the Proverbs that \u201cThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom\u201d (Proverbs 1:7). The \u201cman of understanding\u201d in verse 6 is one whose heart is humble, reverent, worshipful, and obedient towards God in the fear of Him, while the scoffer does not possess the fear of the LORD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So while the way that seems right to the scoffer ends in death, for the man of understanding \u201cThe fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death\u201d (v.27)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n We see once more that, as we seek the wisdom of God and seek to live our lives in a way that brings honor and glory to Him, we\u00a0must <\/em>begin with setting our hearts in the posture of fearing Him, of giving Him the reverence and worship due His name! If we don\u2019t, we may be going in a way that seems right to us, but its end is only death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n