Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables the words of the wise and their riddles.
Proverbs 1:5-6
This week our journey heads down the path of wisdom and understanding. Solomon, our tour guide for the next couple of weeks, knows how important it is to listen and observe until we find the missing pieces that will help us see the whole picture! Proverbs and parables are riddles; word pictures that take thought and ingenuity to solve. Solomon’s desire is to help us discern the mysteries of this ancient path that leads to success.
We begin our trip with Wisdom beckoning us on her path. Solomon knows the path well. His father and mother traveled it with him regularly. I’ve been on this tour with Solomon many times before. If there’s one thing I know for sure, he loves relating the lessons he learned as he grew up under the tutelage of David and Bathsheba. He places great value on their words and instructions! You don’t have to walk with Solomon for very long before you hear his father’s influence on him. The heart of the Proverbs Path is to encourage us to fear God, and not focus on the dangers that surround us.
If you’ve ever lived in the Detroit area, you quickly learn that there are some exits on the freeway that you don’t want to take! And there are certain areas of town you don’t want to be in, day or night! Only those who are familiar with the city know the places of greatest danger. Solomon is quick to point out some intersections and street corners to stay away from! The path of wisdom knows to stay clear of red light districts and shady paths of deception.
Solomon’s map shows the safest route. Trusting God, honoring Him with all that you have, and seeking to do His will is sure to keep us from taking wrong turns! What’s great about this path of righteousness is that it’s well lit; it is like the light of dawn that grows brighter and brighter! We also find that it is well marked. The way is clearly defined on the hilltops, along the road, at the crossroads, by the gates at town entrances and along the entrance roads.
When we go on tour in Israel, the government requires that a license guide escort us. This tour chaperone knows the land and the laws and is paid to safely guide us. Our wisdom tour requires some traveling companions. Before we commence on our journey, it is necessary to make sure common sense, success, insight and strength are by our side.
There are some amazing buildings we will pass along the way. We will see Wisdom’s house with the seven pillars. We will eat of the food and the wine on her table. We will stop by the graveside of folly and pass the empty fields of the lazy. We will check out a new building site and see the makings of a sure foundation. Make sure you take notes!
We will learn that talk is cheap, money can’t buy everything, and honesty is the best policy. We will also discover that if we really love to learn, we need to love discipline! This obviously, is not going to be a stroll in the park. I hope you have good shoes on, because we are about to traverse a lot of ground! Sometimes the path will be easy, and other times we will find it difficult to climb. There’s much to see along the way, so keep your eyes and ears open. You don’t want to miss it!!!
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