The Slow Path of Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov. 1:7)

The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. (Prov. 14:27)

Wisdom is the great virtue to be sought at all costs. This call falls on deaf ears in our utilitarian world. Every aspect of life is mentally run through a financial rubric, and if it doesn’t justify the expense, then it must not be worth it. Case in point, there are no true craftsmen left to build things, for the cost is not justified. Instead, we have people who slap together houses and fences in the cheapest way possible, not because they are lazy, but because that is what people want. Likewise, in this culture, wisdom is understood to have no benefit, so why would one desire it? So then, rather than a way of life, it becomes an accessory that slows us down.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, the cry of wisdom in the streets (1:20, 8:1, 9:3) is contrasted to the cry of sin, characterized by the adulteress woman (2:16-19, 5:3-14, 6:24-35, 7:6-27). The adulterous woman personifies sin and temptation that will lead to destruction. Her lips are dripping with honey, and her speech is smooth. Like our first parents, Adam and Eve, many have fallen prey to this temptation towards sin. Wisdom is still there crying out in the streets; do not quiet that voice in your mind to partake of sin.

The consequences of following this path are eternal. This is true of all sin; when sin is followed, “her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death” (7:27). For many travelers, it was always that one extra step that placed them too close to the edge and down into the ravine of death. Likewise with your sin, perhaps you think that you have gotten away with it, but you will never know if that next step shall be your last. If you are unable to stop now, you will certainly not be able to stop after indulging yourself one more time. Take that step at the peril of your soul.

Fearing the Lord is the way to not take that next step further into sin. Reverent awe, and humble submission to the Lord is what it looks like to fear Him. This is lived out as submission to Him rather than submission to sin. This is the foundation and beginning of wisdom (9:10).

If you desire wisdom, know this: it is a blessing (3:13), the path of uprightness (4:11), far more precious than the riches of this world (8:11, 16:16), is not burdensome, but pleasurable (10:23), establishes a home for future generations (24:3), and is a blessing to those around us (29:3, 31:26). The life of the blessed man is not counted in gold, but is desiring wisdom and walking in her path.

Redemption, fear the Lord and begin to walk the slow path of wisdom. The sinful desires of your heart will not be gratified but starved as you humbly stand in awe before your Lord.

Jake and the elders