Wisdom in its Beauty

                        

An American whale ship was out in the South Seas when a huge leviathan hit it with an incredible force.  The ship instantly began to fill with water. The sea was calm but there was no time for delay. They were not only far from land, but far from the usual track of ships on the sea. In the dreary region of the Antarctic Circle, they might wander a whole year and see no sail on the desolate horizon. There was little probability of rescue until they regain ship track latitudes.

All hands went to work and soon all the boats were loaded with the prime necessaries of life. The deck was now nearly level with the water and the boats shoved off for safety. After they had pulled a hundred yards away, two resolute men leaped from the boats into the sea and swam towards the ship. They reach it while still afloat and disappear down a hatchway. In a minute they emerge again, bearing something in their hands.

As they leap into the water the ship goes down; the men are separated from each other and their treasured object , in the whirlpool that gathers over the sinking hull. They do not seem to care for their own safety. They remain in that dangerous eddy, until they grasp again the object which they had carried. Holding it fast, they swim towards the boat. What do they carry, for they seem to value it more than life? It is the compass! It had been left behind. Now they have taken fast hold of it and will not let it go. Whatever they lose, they will at all hazards keep it, for “it is their life.”

In Psalm 37 David says “the mouths of the righteous utter wisdom and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip” (vv.30-31). Wise people counsel others to do the right thing. In Proverbs 4 Solomon acknowledges the impressions made on his life by his father David.  He says “when I was my father’s son, tender...he also taught me and he said to me,

 “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 costs all you have , get understanding . Cherish her and she will exalt you ... honor you ...give you a garland to grace your head  and present you with a glorious crown"  (vv.4-9).

A tender age is the early, innocent years of a child’s life when his heart is soft and impressionable. David stamped God’s word-upon Solomon’s heart before it hardened, before the world made its impression upon him. His father instructed him while he was very young, before his three brothers ( 1 Chron. 3:5) were born. Solomon is stressing that he was once in the very position his sons now found themselves in: that of a learner.

David and Solomon are both illustrating the fulfillment of the covenant obligation of parents to pass on the truth to the next generation.  Deuteronomy 6:1-9 talks of the transmission of law across three generations. Moses commanded “these are the ...laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe... so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live.

These commandments ... are to be on your heart. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your head and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates  so that you may enjoy long life . Teaching travels along lines of relationship making the home life the primary and most ideal place for instruction.

in 1 Chronicles 28  we find  David’s public “passing of the torch” ceremony to Solomon. David's last instructions to him were “my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever (1 Chron. 28:9).

David’s emphasized a genuine commitment to a real relationship with the living God. He essentially told Solomon, “the secret of my success has been my relationship with God. You need to pursue the same relationship.” Solomon was inconsistent; though he did seek God, it was not with a ‘whole heart’ and his divided devotion led ultimately to a divided kingdom.

Solomon’s remembrance of his father David’s instruction ends at verse 9. Now he speaks directly to his son. Solomon was driven to make sure his son followed the Lord and the path of wisdom throughout life. In Proverbs 4 we find his words of wisdom to his sons. He says “listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching (Prov. 4:1-2).

This is the first time in Proverbs that the plural address children or sons are used. This is significant because it reveals Solomon’s is transferring God’s truth both to his son and to future generations as well. The wisest of men (1 Kings 3:12) spoke under the guidance of unerring Wisdom. He says “Listen, my son, accept what I say and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble” (vv.10-12).

Solomon has cast before his son a clear path for wise living. He does not only teach the way, but guides along straight paths. He is like a companion in the journey, who points out every step that his son should take and every step that he ought to avoid.  Many parents are good at teaching their children but fails in leading them in the right path. It is easier to tell another the right way, than to walk in it yourself.

To lead your child in right paths implies that you go before him. The ungodly parents desire to raise godly children but only a godly man can bring up his child for God. Observation is more powerful than knowledge. There is a saying that “actions speak louder than words' .When a parent consistently and steadfastly set before his children straight paths especially morally and everyday practical behaviour, it has a  great and lasting impact.

God's "highway of holiness" (Isa. 35:8) is the best path to tread in this life. God’s commands are similar to the lines on modern highways. They help travellers stay on the proper part of the road so they do not have accidents and hurt themselves and other people. The path of wisdom provides firm footing, so that one may not only ‘walk’ through life securely, but may ‘run’ in God’s way without concern for danger

In the Highway of Holiness “you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble (Prov. 3:23). The law of your God is in the hearts; your feet do not slip (Ps. 37:31). God provides a broad path for your feet, so that your ankles do not give way (Ps. 18:36). When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; you will not walk into situations which hem you in.  

When you run, you will not stumble. Your feet will not be tangled causing you to fall headlong. Those who walk in God’s paths are assured that nothing will leap up before them, close in around them, or arise from within them so as to bring them down. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out (Prov. 10:9).

Solomon was told by his father “get wisdom though it cost all you have”. He is now telling his son “hold on to instruction; do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life”. The animated exhortation to hold on to instruction implies we could become lax and let instruction slip from our grasp! Not only is wisdom the means of making progress in life, it is life itself. How much do you value your life?

In Proverbs 3: 13- 26 Solomon says “blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day (Prov. 4:18-19). His light is not the feeble light of a candle, nor the momentary blaze of the meteor, but the grand illumination of heaven. Those who follow God increasingly see and understand his wisdom as he leads them through life. Their life is one of progressive illumination, understanding and insight. Heavenly wisdom irradiate his every step until the perfect day in heaven when everything will becomes as clear as the sun at its brightest (2 Cor. 13:12).

A path is formed when people constantly walk on a particular place. Solomon’s son will be walking on an ancient and proved way. In Jeremiah 6:16 God instructed his children to “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls”. The ancient paths are best because they are tried and true. Rest for souls is a rich reward that can’t be matched by anything .But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

One of the devil’s chief strategies is to hide the consequences of our path. Robert Frost in his poem "Road Not Taken" writes “I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence: two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference”. The road you travel will make all the difference in the present life and also in the life to come (Matt 7:13-14; 1 Tim. 4:18).