Three thousand years ago a father urged his son to get wisdom at any cost. Both his father and mother cherished him. The young boy was God’s gift to his parents after his older brother died in infancy.
This father, with the events of the loss of his son, with the words of God’s prophet indelibly etched in his memory, made a passionate appeal to his son to embrace God’s wisdom.
His message: “Love wisdom above all else.”
This conversation so impacted his son that he repeated it to his own son. The words of the grandfather were handed down to the next generation. Read the power of these words:
Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this:
Get wisdom.Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Solomon experienced first hand the devastation that comes from ignoring wisdom. His parents began their relationship in lust. A good, innocent man died in attempt to hide their sin. They lost the child who was the result of that union. Two of his step-brothers hated David, his father. They wanted his throne, his fortune, and even his life. His father was dominated by political insiders. David’s words were both a plea and a warning. Power and riches were nothing without wisdom. Therefore get wisdom, nothing else matters.
Verse 7 says the first step to acquiring wisdom to is go after it with all you have. Don’t hold anything back!
Is that how you think about wisdom? Is your top priority for your children the acquisition of wisdom? Is being wise just one of the things you want for your children?
The Holy Spirit deliberately chose these strong words to let you know what he thinks is important. The message of chapter four of Proverbs is to get wisdom so your heart can be protected.
Soccer practice, music lessons, even school work are all important and have their place. But nothing is more important that getting wisdom to protect and guard your heart.
How important is getting wisdom in your life?