PROVERBS
CHAPTER 4
I. OUTLINE:
I. The Lifelong Pilgrimage: 4:1-27
A. Seek: 4:1-9
B. Choose: 4:10-19
C. Concentrate: 4:20-27
1. The Heart: 4:23
2. The Mouth: 4:24
3. The Eyes: 4:25
4. The Feet: 4:26-27
II. COMMENTARY:
4:1 “The father (and mother), not the professional teacher…or the government
official, has the most profound responsibility and opportunity to lead a young man
in the right way. Only a parent can implore the young man to do what is right
with the depth of love and concern displayed here. This text more than any other
brings out this urgency of parental love. In addition, this passage illustrates how
wisdom is an inheritance that may be passed from generation to generation. It
can preserve a whole family line through the passing of years. It is, however, an
inheritance that each generation must choose to receive. If the chain is broken
and the way of wisdom is rejected, the results will be disastrous for the family”
(Garrett p. 86).
“Hear, O sons”-Every child needs to listen to the teachings found in this
book.
“give attention that you may gain understanding”-Learning and wisdom
takes effort and work!
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4:2 “For I give you sound teaching”-Note that Solomon knows that his teaching is
good. He knows that it is the truth and he had been over this road before. This
contradicts the modern idea found among many parents that absolute truth
cannot be found, or that what is truth for them, may not be truth for their children
or the next generation. In order to be an effective parent, you first must know
that your teaching is worth something!
“Do not abandon”-Which infers that children still have freewill and choice.
Even children raised by godly parents, who are fed sound teaching, can still
chose to abandon such.
4:3 “Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother”-Solomon here reflects
on his own childhood, when David and Bathsheba took the time to teach him the
ways of wisdom. This verse, “indicates that the teacher (Solomon) was in the
highest degree an object of endearment to his father” (P.P. Comm. p. 84).
Kidner notes, “This linking of three generations…..demonstrates how a love of
the best things will be transmitted mainly by personal influence, along the
channels of affection” (p. 66).
Point To Note:
Biblical instruction passed on to your children will have a much greater impact if
such is combined with a genuine love and tender affection for the child. Far from
claiming that he grew up in a dysfunctional family, look at how Solomon
perceived his childhood! Even though Bathsheba will have other sons (1 Chron.
3:5), Solomon felt that his mother and father had loved him so much, he had felt
as if he can been the only child in the family. “Every grown-up should be able to
look back upon his childhood days and feel this way about his parents” (Hunt p.
46). “the affectionate and pleading tone of these verses shows why parents
make the best teachers: they love their children” (Garrett p. 87). “Tender and
most precious in the sight of my mother” (Rhm).
4:4 David had been a good father to Solomon, he had taken the time to teach
his son. David also understood the importance of keeping God’s
commandments. David wouldn’t agree with the person who claims that
obedience to the will of God isn’t necessary to be right with God. Compare with
3:1-2; 7:2. “Let your heart hold fast my words”-Unless we are able to penetrate
and capture the heart of the child, all our teaching will have been in vain. In
addition to knowing the truth, we want our children to love the truth (2 Thess.
2:10-12).
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4:5 “Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!”-“Perhaps David’s encouragement
to Solomon to get wisdom helped influence Solomon to ask God for it (1 Kings
3:5-14)” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 913). The word rendered “acquire” or “get”
is a commercial term, the term often used by the trader or the merchant. It
means not only to acquire for one’s self, or possess, but especially to buy
(Proverbs 23:23). Regardless of the price (time, effort, work), wisdom is worth it!
We might say, “Invest in wisdom! Buy stock in wisdom!” The verse also
suggests that wisdom is available for the having! (James 1:5).
4:6 “Love her”-Having wisdom is pointless if you don’t love and appreciate what
you have. To love wisdom is to love God’s point of view, God’s way of doing
things, the products of God’s wisdom, i.e. the Church (Ephesians 3:10-11), the
Bible, etc…
4:7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom”-“The principal thing is
wisdom” (Rhm). “The first line, literally, means either, ‘The beginning is wisdom;
get wisdom’, or, ‘The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom’…could be a blunt
way of saying: ‘What it takes is not brains or opportunity, but decision. Do you
want it? Come and get it” (Kidner p. 67). The importance of wisdom is seen in
the fact that one cannot be saved without it (Matthew 7:24-25). The verse may
also be saying that wisdom begins with the desire to be wise. A large part of
being good, serving God, knowing the truth, is the desire to become and possess
all such things, the decision to make such the number one priority in your life.
“With all your acquiring, get understanding”-By desiring and making the
effort to be wise, you will start a cycle that will result in greater understanding,
increased knowledge, more wisdom, etc…(Proverbs 9:8-9). Carefully note that
Solomon had acquired many things in life (Ecc. 2:1-11). But the most important
thing, the number one priority is to have a love for godly wisdom. “Wisdom is
the greatest possession anyone can have, and the young man should make
winning her the primary goal in life” (Garrett p. 87).
4:8 Again, we see the love that one must have for wisdom. She needs to be
prized and valued above all earthly possessions. One prizes wisdom by making
it his or her chief concern. “She will honor you”-but only if one embraces her.
One cannot be wise if one is careless or apathetic about possessing such
wisdom. Wisdom isn’t given to the lazy, the half-hearted, or those who never
have enough time for her. “Embrace her”-“i.e. in a loving and affectionate
manner, as a husband does his wife, or a son his mother” (P.P. Comm. p. 86).
“Esteem and honor, the confidence of others, elevation to offices of trust and
consequence, are some of the rewards with which Wisdom repays those who
esteem and love her” (p. 87).
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4:9 Compare with 1:9. In the New Testament such a crown refers to the honors
associated with eternal life, the everlasting honors in heaven (2 Tim. 4:8). But
wisdom also grants honors in this life. “Wisdom shall confer on thee true dignity”
(P.P. Comm. p. 87). Wisdom will result in an attractive and honorable life, a life
that is admired by others. “The opposite is also implied: a foolish, unwise life is
dishonorable, unattractive, and shameful. Solomon experienced both wisdom
and folly and therefore both kinds of results” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 913).
Only Two Paths: 4:10-19
“The ways of wisdom (10-13) and of wickedness (14-17) are described and the
son-learner is again urged to pursue the former and avoid the latter. The lesson
is summarized in verses 18-19 by picturing the destinations of both paths” (Bible
Knowledge Comm. pp. 913-914). Jesus noted the same thing, only two possible
paths confront every person who has ever lived (Matthew 7:13-14). Proverbs
has a lot to say as to why few find the narrow way. Few find it, because few are
willing to love and embrace the truth.
4:10 “accept my sayings”-and that’s the key, for the child to really embrace what
the parent is teaching. This verse is so opposed to the modern idea that we
should just let our children decide what is truth for them, i.e. that we shouldn’t
prejudice them with the truth. In this passage “years of life”, not only refers to a
long life, but a quality life. What every godly parent is offering to their children is
the secret of being really alive! I offer you more than existence! I offer you more
than merely getting up, going to work and coming home. I offer you “Life”!
Wisdom will make us more productive, wisdom will keep us from squandering
talents, our time, our possessions and prosperity. Wisdom will enable us to
avoid many of the pitfalls that lead to discouragement, depression and
heartache. Wisdom will bring peace, contentment, happiness, joy, excitement,
purpose, meaning, fulfillment—in one word, “Life”! (Matthew 6:25)
4:11 Solomon had not only taught, he had also tried to set the example, “I have
led you”. He had tried to practice what he was preaching. “unless the latter
combines with the former, a father is wasting his words. The inspired Luke was
as much interested in what Jesus did as he was in what He said (Acts 1:1)” (Hunt
p. 50). See also Acts 20:20,35.
“the way of wisdom…upright paths”-Wisdom is never found in immorality,
contradictions, foolishness or falsehood. Parents in our culture (and probably
every culture) are faced with a world that insists that spirituality, some form of
morality, right, goodness and wisdom can be found apart from God’s truth. How
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many times do you hear people arguing that we should ignore what the biblical
text says and rather look for some mysterious “spirit” or hidden meaning between
the lines of what the text is saying. Upright paths, are literally paths of rectitude,
their characteristic being straightness, uprightness. In order words, wisdom in
found in believing that absolute truth does exist and that we can all understand
the same truths!
4:12 There are times in life that one must “run”, when decisions must be made
quickly, when many things hit all at once—wisdom will enable you to make wise
decisions during such hectic and pressure filled times. “when thou runnest may
refer to cases of emergency when promptness and decisive action are called for”
(P.P. Comm. p. 87). “Palestine is a hilly land of rocks and stones….Anyone who
has hiked off the beaten path or climbed away from a clearly marked route can
appreciate these figures of speech” (Alden p. 46). Wisdom will enable us to
keep from stumbling even in the most difficult of circumstances. Carefully note
that the narrow way isn’t the path of misery and a limited life; rather, wisdom
opens up life to us. “Wisdom would keep one from becoming broken and ruined
at the height of progress” (Hunt p. 51).
“steps will not be impeded”-i.e. narrow or confined, “the idea of binding up,
oppressing, putting into narrow and confined circumstances and limits” (P.P.
Comm. p. 88). Note that wisdom, godliness, God’s truth gives us freedom of
movement (John 8:31-32). In contrast, sin will confine, sin will limit us, sin will
give us tunnel vision, sin will cause us to miss out on many opportunities. If we
feel hemmed in, limited and confined—it might mean that we aren’t using the
wisdom that God has given us. “Wisdom….gives freedom of movement; in
ordinary cases it removes embarrassment and perplexity arising from conflicting
interests drawing now in one direction, now in another, and in extraordinary
cases it supplies a rule of conduct which prevents our falling into mistakes and
errors” (P.P. Comm. p. 87).
4:13 Again, the eager and devoted acquiring and embracing of wisdom is
stressed. “Do not let her go”-There will always be temptations to abandon
wisdom, to place a greater trust in our own opinion, or of someone else, rather
than in God’s instruction. If you let wisdom go—then you have just forfeited your
life! “Just in proportion as Wisdom is retained and guarded, so is life secured,
and so far as the hold upon her is lost, so are the hopes of life diminished. Life
depends upon the observance of her precepts” (P.P. Comm. p. 88).
4:14 Do not even enter the path that wicked men travel. So much for the idea
that one must try something before they can condemn it! The expression, “Don’t
knock it until you have tried it”, isn’t an expression heard from the lips of wise
men. (Psalms 1:1)
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Point To Note:
The expression “Do not enter”, clearly informs us that evil is something that is
chosen. It isn’t genetic and neither it is totally environmental. Before one can
become an evil person, one must choose this lifestyle, one must start walking
down a definite path. “Evil men”-If you are practicing evil, then you are evil. By
the way, if man is born inherently depraved, then everyone has already entered
this path!
4:15 “Avoid it”-Which suggests that we will all encounter many invitations to
enter the broad way. “Avoid it” also suggests that evil can only be avoided when
we reject it and abhor it (Romans 12:9). “The injunction, so absolutely stated, to
have nothing to do with sin, is required, if not indeed prompted, by the knowledge
of the fact that youth, confident in its own power of resistance, frequently
indulges in the fatal mistake of imagining that it can dally with sin with impunity”
(P.P. Comm. p. 89).
“Turn away from it and pass on”-I like this statement. Pass on by because
there is something much better to do with your life and your time! Pass on
because you don’t want to miss out on the real fun in life (Ecc. 12:1; 1 Peter
3:10-12).
4:16 “cannot sleep unless they do evil…robbed of sleep unless they make
someone stumble”-Compare with Psalm 36:4. Any sin is addictive, any sin can
consume your thoughts. “How sick to find peace only at the price of another
man’s misfortune” (Alden p. 47). Instead of “to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21), for
some people, “to live is to sin”. People, whose greatest satisfaction in life is to
get others to join them in their sin (Romans 1:32). Kidner notes, “There is more
than irony in this picture of upside-down morality, where wickedness has become
meat and drink and even duty. It is a warning against setting foot on a path
which one might think adventurous and diverting, for it can lead as far as this.
The Bible does not hide the fact that one can become as zealous for evil as for
good” (p. 67). Sin can become so much a part of your life that you can become
convinced that you can’t live without it!
4:17 “Sin is so much a part of them that it is like their food” (Bible Knowledge
Comm. p. 914). Keep this verse in mind when you hear people arguing that the
drunkard can’t stop drinking, or that the sexual addict can’t give up his
pornography, or being a homosexual is natural. Any sin can deceive us into
thinking that it is natural, second-nature, feels so right, we were born this way, or
that we can’t live without it!
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4:18 The path of uprightness and wisdom leads to enlightenment, it is like the
first rays of light in the morning, which gradually increase to the full light of
noonday. One understands more and more about the important things of life
(Hebrews 5:14; Psalm 119:97ff).
4:19 In contrast, evil only leads to confusion, darkness, doubt, bewilderment,
growing uncertainty, etc… (Jeremiah 23:12; John 12:35). The person in sin
understands less about the truths of life, they understand less of reality, they
understand less about what makes relationships work, what is right and wrong,
and so on. They become increasingly useless as moral guides for the next
generation.
“They do not know over what they stumble”-could mean that the sinner
becomes so blind, that they don’t realize the cause for all their problems is the
sinful life they are living. They aren’t able to recognize sin as sin, or the
destruction that such a sin will bring. “Sins, however great and detestable they
may be, are looked upon as trivial, or as not sins at all, when men get
accustomed to them” (P.P. Comm. p. 90).
Another Appeal: 4:20-27
“The constant repetition of such a call (introducing nearly every paragraph of this
section of the book) is deliberate, for a major part of godliness lies in dogged
attentiveness to familiar truths” (Kidner p. 68).
4:20-22 In this section note that every sense or part of the body must cooperate
in this task of acquiring wisdom. The ears must be attentive, the attitude must be
receptive (James 1:21) and humble, the eyes must be open to truth, the heart or
the mind must be willing to dwell upon such truths and abandon any
misconceptions or preconceived ideas.
“Keep them in the midst of your heart”-i.e. memorize and cherish them, let
such things be principles and truths that you would never abandon, for in doing
so it would mean abandoning and betraying yourself! (Psalm 119:11).
“health to all their whole body”-So much for the idea that Christianity is
harmful to the mind and the emotions. Serving God, naturally preserves the
body against the harmful consequences of various sins, but faithfulness also
goes along way to helping a person stay emotionally and mentally healthy.
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4:23 The “heart” also includes the mind, the will, the emotions, the whole inner
being (3:5). Jesus stated the same truth in Matthew 6:21; 12:34-35 and 15:18-
19.
Point To Note:
1. Carefully chose what you will value, because what you prize, value and
believe in will naturally control every other aspect of your life. What you
treasure or cherish in your heart will set your priorities and will determine what
you do with your time, talents and money. 2. Today we are faced with many
people who claim, “My personal beliefs in no way influence any of my
decisions”, or my performance of certain business, secular or professional
duties. What a foolish statement! It is impossible to keep the convictions of
the heart from remaining silent. “Here the word ‘heart’ means more than
mental or emotional capacity; it also encompasses one’s values” (Bible
Knowledge Comm. p. 914). 3. Before we protect or guard anything else—
let us make sure that we have guarded our hearts. “Keep thy heart more than
any other keeping” (P.P. Comm. p. 91). For our habits, lifestyle and eternal
destiny will all be determined by what we allow ourselves to believe and
value. 4. There are too many people who somehow think that they can live
good lives, and yet think evil things. 5. Solomon would agree that Christians
need to be reminded that if they are putting garbage into their minds, if they
are allowing themselves to watch movies, T.V. shows, etc…which are
sending the opposite message than that found in the Scriptures, that they are
making a fatal mistake. Someone has noted that when a person says, “You
need to be more opened-minded”, in our culture that typically means that
someone is wanting to back up a dump truck and use your mind as a mental
landfill.
4:24 After thoughts come words: “yet it is not enough to take care of the first
and let the second take care of themselves. Superficial habits of talk react on the
mind; so that…cynical chatter, fashionable grumbles, flippancy, half-truths, barely
meant in the first place, harden into well-established habits of thought” (Kidner p.
68). “The only thing worse than evil is evil that tries to look good. Lies, deceit,
hypocrisy, and falsehood don’t ever belong in the mouth of a wise man” (Alden p.
48). If we aren’t controlling our tongues, then we aren’t doing a very good job of
guarding our hearts. This is one reason why Christians need to be very careful
about being sucked into conversations or relationships in which the topic of
conversation consists of running down the Church, the elders, the importance of
biblical doctrine, etc…..If someone is complaining about the elders, the first
question that should cross our mind is, “Why aren’t they talking to the elders
about this?” (Matthew 18:15; 1 Tim. 5:19)
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4:25 There is so much good to be accomplished in this life---that wise men and
women don’t have the time to look somewhere else! “Shifty eyes, furtive
glances, and winking are all characteristic of deviousness” (Alden p. 48). “With
a steady aim, minor decisions are governed by the ultimate goal” (Kidner p. 68).
Christians don’t have the time or energy to allow themselves to be distracted!
Souls need to be saved, new converts need to be strengthened, your children
need a godly, consistent example and sound teaching. Compare with Hebrews
12:1ff.
4:26-27 One must make the conscious decision to remain on the right path.
Wisdom never overrules our own freewill. The right path for the godly person
isn’t that complicated, the right path is the path in which we avoid sin and evil. If
we put God first in all things, then everything else will work out (Matthew 6:33).
The “right or the left”: That is, in removing sinful anger, let us be careful that we
don’t remove our hatred of evil. In removing sinful passion, let us not remove our
passion for living or our passion for what is good and noble. In removing pride,
let us not at the same time give into self-pity, or a false humility.
