October 5
Jeremiah 1-2
Psalm 109:9-20
Proverbs 24:13-14
I Timothy 3
As Sweet as Honey
“Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”
Proverbs 24:13-14 NIV
Wisdom is an interesting thing. We often equate wisdom with intelligence, but that is inaccurate. There are a lot of very smart people who have no wisdom and a lot of people who would not be considered very smart, who are very wise. Wisdom has very little to do with intelligence. The Cambridge Dictionary defines wisdom as “the ability to use knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgements.”14 The Free Dictionary defines it as “the ability to discern or judge what is true, right or lasting; insight.”15 The Bible tells us a lot about wisdom. It explains that wisdom is not something that we can study and learn. It isn’t a course we can take with homework and tests and then a grade when we complete the course. Wisdom is from God. Wisdom is something to be sought after like precious treasure. Proverbs is filled with promises for those who seek after wisdom. Let’s look at a few of those promises:
1. Divine Guidance-
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)
“I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.” Proverbs 4:11 (NASB1995)
2. Divine Protection-
“Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her and she will guard you.” Proverbs 4:6 (HCSB)
a. Wisdom can protect us from the evil of dangerous situations, harmful substances, and destructive circumstances. “The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.” Proverbs 14:16 (NIV)
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)
b. Wisdom can protect us from people who entice us to do evil. “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.” Proverbs 2:12-15 (NIV)
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)
c. Wisdom protects us from our own emotions, feelings, and desires. “The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will be safe.” Proverbs 28:26 (HCSB)
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)
3. Divine Peace-
“Maintain your wisdom and discretion. My son don’t lose sight of them. They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.” Proverbs 2:21-26 (CSB)
4. Divine Health- This includes physical, mental, and spiritual health.
“Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body, strengthening for your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 (HCSB)
“The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.” Proverbs 10:27 (ESV)
“My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being.” Proverbs 3:1-2 (HCSB)
5. Divine Provision- Wisdom brings riches and wealth. This is not only speaking of material possessions, but more importantly the riches of personal relationships, peace, joy, and love.
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver or profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and 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 ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 3:13-18 (ESV)
“I, (Wisdom), love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth, and righteousness. My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.” Proverbs 8:17-21 (HCSB)
Solomon compares wisdom to the sweetness of honey because the one who is wise is spared many of the heartaches of life that are a consequence of poor choices and foolish living. The wise also have the benefit of God’s guidance, presence, and protection to help them deal with any difficulty they experience. They have hope for the future because they understand that they do not face the future alone. God is already there making provision for their every need.
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