Proverbs 4
When I first began this lesson I had the title “Get a Father.” I realized early that this is insufficient. Some fathers are vicious, weak, idolatrous, angry, useless, ungodly and worse, unknown to God. Many in this country have been raised without any father at all and some with fathers who are not wise.
1. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Notice above all that verse one says to hear the instruction of “A” father, not necessarily your father. Your father may be a good and godly man, but if not, God expects you to find a good and godly man to be a father to you. The word for instruction is musar which means chastening or discipline. A father is NOT supposed to be your friend. He is supposed to be your covering, teacher, jailer when you act crazy and encouragement when you need it.
The word for attend is qasab which means to prick up your ears to listen carefully. If we are not attentive to every nuance of God or our earthly father’s will then we will miss something important. Know understanding is yada biyna and means to have perfect clarity and absolute understanding of a situation or decision.
2. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Studying the word of God is not like learning facts and histories of ancient nations and people. His Word is living and powerful. For this reason you study naturally AND spiritually at the same time. If you do not comprehend the natural concepts then you will probably not recognize the spiritual. As you learn the natural you will be growing and ultimately the spiritual understanding will come more and more rapidly in powerful and blinding insights to your every situation. God has created us to require both natural and spiritual insight to be complete. We can not separate one from the other. Jesus taught in natural parables and through them revealed deep mysteries of spiritual things.
3. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
What a stunning statement up to the first comma. “I was my father’s son.” That statement makes you look at the example you provide as a father and how you respond as the son of a father. It doesn’t say, “I was this man’s progeny.” It says, “I was my father’s son.” If I do not SURRENDER TO AND EMULATE the will of my father I cannot state I am his son. Sonship is more than genetics. It takes two participants, an INVESTED father and an obedient son.
I am reminded of a song entitled “Cat’s In the Cradle,” from back in the 70’s. One of the final verses of the song was, “And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me, he'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.” For a child there is no choice in the matter; you must react to your father as your father requires or allows. In that song the father had been too busy for several years to take any real interest in the rearing of his son. There are single women in the world who are desperate to find someone to fill the role of father to their sons because they recognize the desperate need in that son for a godly example. In spite of the protestations from various organizations, a child really does need two parents, both male and female.
4. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words, keep my commandments, and live.
A father is a teacher of love and laws. He has the backing of God Himself as long as that father has surrendered his life to our Lord. God promises it will be well with us if we honor father and mother. God says to obey His commandments. Jesus says to obey His commandments. Discipline is required because foolishness is in the heart of a child. A father knows how to drive out that foolishness while building love and esteem.
5. Get wisdom, get understanding, forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee, love her, and she shall keep thee.
I used to have a flawed understanding of the biblical concepts of wisdom and understanding. There are really three Hebrew concepts at work here. One is hakema or wisdom, the second is biyna or understanding, and the third is da’at or knowledge. You need all three. Remember we are talking about training a child or being trained as a child. My wife is a teacher. She understands the way that a small child builds his or her view of the world around them. I was watching a rabbi teach and this is how he brought it out…
When a child is young and begins to understand language, they ask question after question. Sometimes it can drive a parent crazy to answer all those questions. God has also given children extremely flexible and impressionable minds to be able to keep adding more and more information and disciplines. The first word in the verses above is wisdom. Whenever a child asks questions we say they are gaining wisdom or hakema in Hebrew.
Wisdom is the most basic understanding of the world around them. It says in Genesis that Adam named all the animals and plants and whatever they were named was their name. A child has it somewhat easier because they can just point at something and say, “What is that?” I am reminded of the first time I heard “the anointing breaks the yoke,” I thought it was talking about egg yolks. It was confusing to me. Why would God want to break eggs? It was almost a year before I realized that they were describing a yoke like one you place on oxen and that we were being liberated from our bondage, or yoking with the enemy.
You might think that is foolish to be so confused, but if you do not take the time to teach a child properly about the world around them then their entire world view is warped. If I tell you that flat object is a table you only have a name. You do not know what a table is for or why it is a table. If I tell you it is a table and I regularly sit on it, you might believe a table is just another word for chair.
In my house are several paintings in frames and an antique mirror in a frame. I can point to a painting and tell a child, picture. The child might take a leap and see the framed mirror and say, “picture.” Unless I can explain the difference between a painting and that of a mirror there is confusion. If our child knows that that flat surface in the kitchen is a table but doesn’t know that the low one in the living room is a table, then they have a little wisdom, a small piece of the puzzle that is our home, but no understanding. Understanding is the leap from identification (a name) to the concept (a flat surface that people sit around).
Beyond wisdom and understanding comes knowledge, the application of wisdom and understanding. When we have wisdom and understanding we realize that we can put our plate or bowl on the table and sit in front of it to eat or lay out our homework and study. Once the identification and concept are realized, we have knowledge. We know what to do with what we know. Our father is supposed to help develop this kind of synergistic wisdom, understanding and knowledge in us so we can function properly in the world. Wisdom and understanding can be applied to every area of the world around us.
7. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and with all thy getting get understanding.
What the beginning of this verse actually says is, “Wisdom is the firstfruits.” How many don’t even know about God or righteousness or love? How many are raised in pain, anger and rage? Without that godly knowledge of first things you have a broken foundation. You might say that you know about YOUR world (however twisted it might be), but if your wisdom is missing or flawed you have no foundation to build on. Think how nearly impossible it is for those raised in emotional poverty to learn to love and care once they are older. Only God can heal these people.
One instance of this is the church. The Bible states that the church is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. They tell us what is, in other words, basic wisdom; not always what to do with that knowledge. They say, “God is love.” What are we supposed to do with that? How do we apply it to our lives? Why is it important? All those questions are important but they are the house, not the foundation it is built upon. To build a house you first need understanding.
Verse 7 continues on to say, “In all your getting, get an understanding.” Wisdom is knowing what things are. Understanding is what they are for. You could say that knowledge is knowing how God would have you use that understanding. Without a foundation you are just ignorant. Without understanding you don’t get concepts. I saw a video showing a woman using a vacuum cleaner. A vacuum works by drawing air through the hose and dirt is pulled along with it. She disconnected the tip of the hose and tried to clean with just that tip. Without the entire hose attached to a running vacuum that tip was useless. In the same way, without understanding your wisdom is just a label.
8. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee, she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. 9. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
There are frightened religious groups out there who seek to block wisdom, knowledge and understanding. There are frightened secular groups that do the same thing. God has all knowledge. He is never ignorant, never unwise or stupid. He has never wanted us to be stupid. When we partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil we accepted the consequences. The real problem is that we almost always seek the exciting evil part rather than the holy good.
Scientists who mock the presence or reality of God will often change their tests results in order to prove a false point. Even some religious will change scripture to fit their agenda rather than accept it for what it is to fulfill God’s. We fathers have a responsibility to make sure our children learn true and proper lessons. As verse 3 above shows, we are to grow through the teaching of our father but know unconditional love through our mother. God has ordained that moms give the hugs and kisses while dads instruct and lead. Satan has always attacked the leadership and training of men. There are many organizations in this nation that regularly denigrate and mock the concept of a strong educated man. Without such men our various communities are in deep trouble. We certainly cannot receive the best from God.
10. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many. 11. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom, I have led thee in right paths.
These two verses are vital to understanding. Ultimately God is the GREAT FATHER. He has chosen this position for Himself. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” I’ve quoted that passage thousands of times and it has never made more sense to me than now.
When we walk in His Spirit we will have a deeper understanding than the one found merely in nature. God begins to give us His knowledge and it will often disagree with mere science. He said in 1 Corinthians 1:25, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” God knows and understands things that we have never considered. The greatest genius in the world can only work from what God has chosen to reveal. This is why a large part of our responsibility as a father is to teach the Bible to our children.
12. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 13. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go, keep her; for she is thy life.
The word translated straightened is yasar and means vexed or to be in dire straits. It describes someone with no hope or future which does not describe us at all. We are the children of God and while He wants us to be strong, well developed and able to fight the good fight without running away screaming, He always has a plan for our future that is better than where we are now. A HUGE part of our walk with God is our attitude. Every day I hear from those who complain and weep bitterly over their lot in life. On the other side I also hear from those who are up-beat and filled with hope even in the midst of great trials. Which one do you suppose will obtain grace to help in time of trial (Hebrews 4:16)?
If we walk with a right attitude we are much less likely to stumble in our walk. Fear, anger, hatred, doubt…there are many internal issues that can make you miss God’s best for your life. In Isaiah 7:9b it says, “If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.” Faith entails many choices. You must walk in an attitude of faith, a position of faith, an assurance of faith, faith toward others, faith toward God and so many other expressions of faith that it is your PERSONAL life decision. You cannot blame your failures on the actions of others. Faith works by love and it pleases God; so, to walk, run and live in wisdom, understand and knowledge you must exercise faith in all areas of life. When verse 13 says instruction is your life, it encompasses the total synergistic whole of your existence in Christ.
14. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
We often say that someone went astray. This is a reference to Matthew 7:13 which says that wide is the way that leads to destruction and many there be that find it. When you tell someone to stay on the straight and narrow it means the same thing. God expects us to obey Him and His Word. How do you know if it is the wrong path for you? That is actually simple. You can “Study to show yourself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15)” until you clearly understand what God considers right and what He considers wrong. Verse 15 says to turn from it and pass away. That turning away from the way and life of sin is also called repentance. If you had to turn away, you were going the wrong way.
16. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
Have you ever considered what it is that motivates someone to commit violence? The fallen sin nature that afflicts each of us is also a driving force. Paul stated it clearly in Romans 7:24 when he wailed, “Oh wretched man that I am!” Even the most faithful and diligent Christian must wrestle as he continues his walk with God and the Spirit of God dwells in us! How much more does the sinner run freely to do those wicked works. Even if they do not lack money or shelter, many will commit terrible acts for the thrill it gives them. It is their necessary food.
Have you ever watched someone who is overweight and out of physical conditioning try to eat correctly and exercise? As they change their food their body rebels against the proper nutrition and they feel ill for a while. It is much the same with those who forsake sin for God. Scripture says that they will be attacked by even worse temptations unless they fully immerse themselves in His Word and prayer and godly fellowship. Like an alcoholic who must flee all access to strong drink, they must flee all evil temptations.
18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” Isaiah 28:9-11 says, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. God’s word is light and there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5). Just like Moses glowed with the light of God, so do we glow as we draw closer to Him. It is visible in our eyes, our face, our actions and our countenance.
19. The way of the wicked is as darkness, they know not at what they stumble.
Those who desire to sin and work against even the knowledge of God are turned over to deep delusion. This is very clear in Romans 1:18-32 and John 8:44.
20. My son, attend to my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21. Let them not depart from thine eyes, keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
These last few verses are the wrap up to the entire lesson. We are supposed to focus on our spiritual fathers. Listen to their advice and watch their lives. Store those lessons in your heart. Remember that it says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34).” “Life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).” Our lives are directly influenced on how much scripture we have learned AND submit to.
23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
In the paragraph above I quoted Matthew 12:34. What you feed your heart is what will flow from it. Verse 23 says to KEEP your heart with all DILIGENCE. Work at it. Protect it. Defend it. Do not allow anyone else to damage your faith or your heart for empty words and empty ideals.
24. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
The Word of God is living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It renews your mind (Romans 12:2). It heals you (Psalm 107:20). It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). We need to understand this and live accordingly. Seek the truth (Jeremiah 5:1). Pursue righteousness (Isaiah 51:1). Love the Word of God.
25. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left, remove thy foot from evil.
When it comes to sin or holiness; look straight ahead. Aim your feet straight ahead. Tell the truth and live holy even when it might be uncomfortable. God will establish your path. Stay focused, alert and happily on the path God has set.
Beloved, there are many types of voices. Some are of honor and some dishonor. God expects us to obey His word perfectly. We are not supposed to slip and slide and live any old shoddy way. Live holy and uprightly.
Listen to the father’s God has placed in your lives. Heed their godly advice. Remember God is the greatest of all Fathers (Romans 8).
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