Proverbs 4:1 AMP
Hear, O children, the instruction of a father,
And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment.
Matthew Henry concise commentary
We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.
Miyagi’s commentary
As Matthew Henry stated “a soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul.” How many people in the church today are truly hungry for wisdom, or God, or Jesus? Acquiring wisdom is a life-long journey. It does not happen overnight. For one to seek wisdom, he must value knowledge, understanding, and discernment. These are the things that feed the soul and causes the soul to grow. A soul without these things is just as good as dead.
Even today, many people seek wealth, power, and position in society. They put value in these temporal things because they want to get praise and recognition from man. But these things does not feed the soul. It feeds the flesh. And God sees them as rubbish. And even though a person may obtain all this, at the end of his life, he will still be empty if Christ is not in his life. So true wisdom is really placing value on the things that are truly important… such as Jesus, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. And those who shun these are fools at best.
Proverbs 9:10 AMP
For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Miyagi’s commentary
So true wisdom, knowledge and understanding can only come from the Lord. God is the only source of all this. People can be street smart and clever in the ways of the world, but this cannot even begin to compare to the wisdom that God has and want to give to His people. God desires that we walk in wisdom, His wisdom. So we do well when we seek after God’s wisdom. It will save our souls and prolong our life on earth. People without the wisdom of God tend to die before their time and lose their souls.
Questions:
- If wisdom, knowledge and understand are so important to have, why isn’t everyone seeking earnestly for them?
- What will make a person desire wisdom?
- Are all people who go to church wise?
- Do you value the wisdom from God?
Application:
We obtain true wisdom when we seek God’s word and guidance from the Holy Spirit. When we pray, meditate and study the Scriptures, that is how we acquire wisdom. It is not from watching TV and surfing the internet. It is from daily sitting at the feet of Jesus, and drinking from His well.
Colossians 1:9-14.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things], 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; 11 [we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.
13 For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].
Know that this prayer is from the Word of God. We know that His Word goes forth and does not return void. To those who can receive this prayer, it will effect those who are being saved.
Summary conclusion:
Wisdom is for the asking. God tells us in James 1 that He will give it to anyone who asks Him for it. With wisdom comes blessings, happiness, long life, peace of mind, and safety in Christ. Without it, one becomes open prey to the devil…. causing him to lose money, relationships, valuable opportunities and even his own soul.
The big picture:
The soul becomes alive and thriving when it is filled with the wisdom of God. Without it, a person becomes the walking dead.
The byword:
The wisdom of God is that important….don’t leave home without it.
"Mr. Miyagi"
