We began our study into the wisdom of Proverbs with the very words of the wisest man on earth. King Solomon was granted wisdom from God above every other human being on earth, and it was told that there would never be another with such great wisdom. ( 1Kings 3:12) It was the very wisdom of the LORD Himself, that was bestowed upon Solomon.
We left off with Solomon's first proverb in verse 7. He stated that it is the fear of Yahweh that is the beginning of knowledge, and that one is a fool if he despises wisdom, and discipline. This simple fact is stated more than one time in scripture, but in Proverbs ch 2, He gives some clarity as to how we can understand this fear.
We already know that fear is a reverential awe, as explained in our previous session, but how do we attain to this fear.
"My son, if you accept my words, and treasure up my commandments with you, so that you make your ear attend to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as hidden treasures, then you would understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God. For Yahweh gives wisdom; Out of HIS mouth come knowledge and understanding." ( Proverbs 2:1-6)
The commandments of God are wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He says that if you treasure these commands, your ear will be attending to wisdom, and your heart will be gaining understanding. The "her" mentioned here, is the wisdom of the commandments. (see Prov. 1:20 wisdom is called a "she").
So in order to understand the fear of the LORD we must walk in the commandments of the LORD.
Continuing in chapter 1 v 8 "My son, heed the discipline of your father, And do NOT forsake the Torah of your mother; v9 " For they are a fair wreath on your head, and chains about your neck. "
Solomon says listen to the discipline of your father, and don't forsake what your mother teaches you. He is repeating the very essence of the fifth commandment of God. Honor your father and mother so that your days are prolonged on the earth.
Proverbs 3:1-2 repeats again that the Torah commands lengthen your days on the earth.
"My son, do not forget my Torah, And let your heart watch over my commands; For length of days and long life, and peace they add to you."
The commandments are an adorning for you. v.9
Solomons wisdom is summed up in the obeying of the Torah. This is where his wisdom begins.
In verses 10-19 Solomon goes on to explain the dangers of keeping company with sinners, and says in v 15 very plainly, "My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path"
He concludes this portion by saying that their ways are of those who are greedy for gain, and it is impending death to walk with them. (see v10-19).
In v 20. He says that ' Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the broad places. At the head of the noisy streets she cries out, at the openings of the gates, in the city she speaks her words"
Remember wisdom is called a "she" here, and keep in mind that wisdom comes from the LORD's mouth. The voice of wisdom here is asking why, why won't you turn from your evil ways, how long are you going to continue scoffing at my words? . Wisdom says in v 23 "Turn at my reproof. See I pour out my spirit on you, I make my words known to you."
This is Yeshua ( Jesus) speaking here. He is the Word made flesh. ( John 1:14) He is the One who poured out His Spirit upon us and made His words known to us.
" But the Helper the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in MY Name, He shall teach you all, and remind you of all that I said to you." (John 14:26)
It was said of Jesus in the gospels many times. Where did this man get such wisdom? Yeshua is the very essence of Wisdom. ( Mt 13:54; Mk. 6:2, Lk. 2:52)
Yeshua came to impart His wisdom to us. He came teaching repentance, and came to give us life.
v 24 of Proverbs shows the stubbornness and hard heartedness of the people.
" Because I called and you refused, I have stretched out My hand and no one inclined. And you spurned all my counsel, and would not yield to my reproof"... He states that this will bring calamity on them, and then they'll be in distress, and they'll call out at that point.
But look what He says will be the result.
v 28 " Let them then call on me, but I answer not. Let them seek me, but not find me."
This is a very harsh word. He says they will call, but I won't answer, because they didn't obey my words. My Torah!. This is confirmed in Prov. 28:9
" He who turns his ear away from hearing the Torah, Even his prayer is an abomination."
and again in Prov 15:29
"Yahweh is far from the wrong ones, BUT HE hears the prayers of the Righteous.
(A righteous one walks in the Torah commands.) (Psalm 119:172 "All Your commands are righteous")
v 29 Why will HE not answer?
" Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Yahweh. They did not accept my counsel, and despised all my reproof, therefore let them eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own counsels."
It is because they did not walk in the fear of Yahweh. They did not obey HIS commandments, and choose to turn away from sin. So now they will be filled with their own counsels, which will surely bring evil upon them.
See Jeremiah 6:19
" Hear O earth! See I am bringing evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to MY Words, nor MY Torah- and they rejected it. "
Prov. 1: 32-33 " For the turning away of the simple slays them, and the complacency of fools destroys them. BUT whoever listens to me dwells safely, and is at ease from the dread of evil. "
This is the conclusion of chapter 1 of Proverbs, but this is not where it ends.
Solomon sums it all up in the first 6 verses of chapter 2. He has just spoken all his first words of wisdom. He has laid down the foundation, and stated that it begins with obedience to the Torah of the LORD and sums it up by saying that if you will accept these words, and treasure all the commands of Torah, it is only then, that you will gain the fear of Yahweh.
The Fear of Yahweh begins with Obedience to Torah.
The Torah of Yahweh is the Wisdom of Proverbs
For a continued study into the Wisdom of Solomon's Proverbs, and the fear of Yahweh, study Proverbs chapter 2-4
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment