The Hidden Word (2:1)

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee;" Proverbs 2:1

In between the southern border of Russia and the northern border of China sits the 19th largest country in the world. For a period of just four minutes and seven seconds on March 29, 2006, citizens of western Mongolia were able to witness the most recent Total Solar Eclipse. Such a rare occurrence could not be missed as the moon passed between the earth and the sun to temporarily hide all natural light from our planet in that particular location.

The Greeks spoke of things “hidden” through two very similar words, kalypto (from which we get eclipse and apocalypse) and krypto (from which we get cryptic and cryptography). Both have essentially the same meaning, but might help us in contemplating the extensive depths of what it means “to hide.” In the Hebrew world that Solomon lived and wrote, his father can be quoted as saying:

“Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11

A key question should arise from both verses. If the “word” has been received, why should it be hidden? After all, if the “received word” includes beneficial truth for the world (such as the gospel or a note of wisdom), it seems only right that we would be quick to tell someone. Hidden words are not visible words, so why are they to be stored under lock and key? For the answer, we again turn to Solomon's father, the ever beloved King David:

"Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom." Psalm 51:6

Look at the verse again. Read it several times through. If the Word is not hidden deep within your heart, you will never know wisdom. It is not enough to simply "know" the Word or recite each verse from the memory of the mind. Hear the Word. Study the Word. Know the Word. But during the process, hide the Word inside. For only when the Truth is hidden in our hearts can it be applied.

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Application of Grace (2:2)

"So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;" Proverbs 2:2

Some years ago, I counted myself among a "privileged" class of believers who fervently studied the Scriptures under the principle of rightly dividing the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15). Having grown up in a godly Christian home, I knew what it was to love the Lord, but my understanding of His Word was heavily impaired. Those who taught me about right division were a breath of fresh air for my ignorant mind and my knowledge of the truth has been greatly enhanced by their company and counsel. But no longer do I consider this international group of Bible believers to have a conclusive upper hand on the grace that they so often preach. This requires explanation.

The Word of God makes evident that merely to have answers is not sufficient if our answers are not provided through the heart-driven application of grace (Colossians 4:6). Paul speaks frequently about the servanthood of believers in Christ who must do what they do from the heart, rather than the mind (Ephesians 6:6). What I have discovered in my short experience with men of "sound mind" is that they all too often lack a "pure heart" (II Timothy 1:7, I Timothy 1:5).

David and Solomon combined seven times to speak about the application of the heart (Psalm 90:12, Proverbs 2:2 [above], Proverbs 23:12, 22:17, Ecclesiastes 7:25, 8:9, 8:16). Application is defined by the idea that something known (even grace itself) is put to practical use. If we know grace and we fail to apply it through practical wisdom, do we really have the understanding that we say we have? Or might we be leaning on the crutch of our minds instead of our hearts?

To clarify my opening, I count myself "blessed" to have the fellowship of like-minded saints in Christ who rightly divide the word of truth. But by the same Word that we together study daily, I am compelled to encourage my brethren toward this gracious application of the heart. Let us lean in and "incline" our ears to this softly spoken message. If indeed we have "understanding," then the time is now to begin applying what we know. The heart can always make use of a renewed mind.

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Silver Seekers (2:3-4)

"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;" Proverbs 2:3-4

The traditional gifts of an anniversary celebration have been uniquely patterned with the common elements on up to the most rare. In the first year, couples are entitled to receive paper. The eighth year is bronze, the fourteenth year is ivory, and the twentieth year is china. From china forward, the intervals go up by five and the first quarter century, a full fledged 25th Anniversary, is treated with silver. So what exactly is this shiny element that we find mentioned 320 times throughout the Scriptures?

Among the precious metals that are usually sought after, the most familiar in American history is gold. And while both silver and gold will become recurring illustrations throughout the Book of Proverbs, it's important that silver be distinguished from its more popular elder. Gold was sometimes refined with regard to its weight (I Chronicles 28:18), but silver was generally refined for its monetary purposes. Meaning, silver is usually spoken of in reference to the exchange of money (think of Judas and the thirty pieces of silver in Matthew 27:3-9). Hence, for someone to seek wisdom "as silver" is to seek the fullness of knowledge over the fullness of a pocketbook.

The most important character of this passage is the seeker. He "criest" for knowledge, he "liftest up" his voice "for understanding," he "seekest" wisdom "as silver," and he "searchest" for wisdom as though he were searching for hidden "treasures." He cries out, he lifts up his voice, he seeks, and he searches. This is not someone who passively assumes that information, truth, and wisdom will fall in his lap.

Some have been quick to generalize Romans 3:11 as meaning that even believers and the children of God do not have the capacity to seek after Him. Hopefully you have not been victim to this teaching. The early chapters of Romans deal with a world gone awry, a world that is guilty, and a world that needs Christ. Thus, among the world, there are indeed… none that seek Him. By contrast, the children of God (such as we are confirmed in Romans 8:16) DO seek Him in every which way that they can. Once we have known Him, we long to know Him more. As He is the giver of wisdom, may we be as the seekers of heavenly silver.

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The Giver of All (2:5-6)

"Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:5-6

During the great "sermon on the mount" found in the Gospel of Matthew, our Lord Jesus is known to have used several dozen phrases that are now commonplace for pop culture Christianity (from the Beatitudes and Lord's Prayer to "judge not, lest ye be judged" and "seek ye first the kingdom of God"). No doubt many of us can agree that a great number of these passages have been turned into clichéd and overused lingo among the everyday Christians we see and hear. While most of the messages found in this sermon have an immediate and dispensational purpose for the nation of Israel, there are nuggets of universal truth to be found underneath a few of them. One in particular ought to be considered here.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?" Matthew 7:7-10

Setting aside the particulars of what the nation of Israel ought to be asking for and which door they need to be knocking on for their promised kingdom, the underlying theme of this passage is more of an indication about the Father's love. If one of God's children has a need, why would they not ask for it? For in the case of bread as an illustration of His Word (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4), why would the Lord God of heaven and earth drop a stone in the seeker's bucket? Surely those who live as His sons and ask for understanding shall find it by Him alone.

Often we get so intellectually minded that we won't admit we are "seekers" of His wisdom and "seekers" of His knowledge. We hunger for His truth and we dig through His Word as though we were searching, as it were, for hidden treasure. If indeed we proclaim that the Jews were once seekers of signs while Greeks sought after wisdom (I Corinthians 1:22), then indeed we ought to recognize which side that we fit in this age of grace. Only out of the mouth of our Almighty God cometh wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Search for these things like the silver of Proverbs 2:4 and there you will find a fuller comprehension of what it is to fear the Lord. SEEK the knowledge of truth and you shall FIND it.

He has given us life, He has given us breath, and He has given us all things richly in Christ Jesus (Acts 17:25, I Timothy 6:17). To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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The Buckler (2:7)

"He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." Proverbs 2:7

Thundering battle scenes from the last decade have left an imprint on most of us who have never held a weapon or put on a breastplate. The younger generation have become accustomed to the Matrix or Transformer stages of improbable fantasy fighting, but others find historical satisfaction watching Russell Crowe's Gladiator or Mel Gibson's Braveheart. These latter films tend to be well researched from the setting and screenplay right on down to the dress and makeup. What would a soldier be wearing? What forms of protection would he have at his disposal?

One of the most common defense weapons was the buckler of antiquity. In preparation for hand-to-hand combat, most frontline soldiers would carry three things in addition to their body armor: A dagger in their belt (Judges 3:16), a sword at their side, and a lightweight buckler across their forearm (I Chronicles 5:18). The buckler was a small round shield designed for the purpose of deflecting an opponent's dagger or sword. Soldiers who were further back in the battle lines would have much heavier shields to protect them from soaring arrows and flying spears. Only if you were a soldier getting in the face of your enemy would you use such a light buckler. The next time you watch a classical fighting scene, no doubt you'll see a great distinction between the shields of the front line (even one-on-one combat) and the shields of the back line.

When Proverbs refers to wisdom as the "buckler," this is applied to those who are "walking" rather than those who are standing still. He who is sitting back in the wings has a role to play during battle as much as the frontline, but the purpose of the buckler is for those in the heart of the action. Thus, a man who "walks uprightly" is a man who needs a deflective tool for the weapons that come against him. And in this case, the buckler that protects him is wisdom.

"Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good." Ecclesiastes 9:18

Our Apostle Paul taught Timothy to "war a good warfare" (I Timothy 1:18), but the war we are in is not carnal any more than the weapons we must use (II Corinthians 10:4). The armor of God comes with many untouchable pieces and the buckler is just one such example (Ephesians 6:13). The Lord our God "layeth up sound wisdom" at our disposal. Take it as your buckler and fight the good fight.

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Pathfinder (2:8-9)

"He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path." Proverbs 2:8-9

At the top of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, anyone eager to hike the mountainside and see the sights can take a variety of different trails. From the entrance signs to the scattered rangers, visitors know not to travel too far off the beaten path. Deviation from the assigned way is a safety risk. The edges are steep, the snake holes are plenty, and somewhere in the 35 square miles is at least one black bear.

Recently walking a fair distance on one of these trails, my family and I encountered a fallen tree and a sign next to the way which essentially warned: THE BEATEN PATH ENDS HERE, ANY FURTHER WALKING IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. These were not the exact words we were reading, but they were indeed the words that we understood. We could stop and turn back, having walked the extent of what was already prepared for us, or we could push forward and create our own path with no real direction. My wife and I stepped a few yards beyond the accepted route and then turned around. It wasn't worth the risk if we couldn't be sure where we were going.

The Lord God "keepeth the paths of judgment" for his saints. By this, He is not speaking of divine judgment, but spiritual discernment. Every believer is faced with a myriad of choices from day to day. If we have been hungering and thirsting after wisdom in our spiritual walk, His Word assures us that we will obtain both knowledge and good judgment (Philippians 1:9).

When a fork in the road tells us we have several options, He has "preserved the way" that will allow us to understand the right path (righteousness), the best path (judgment), and the confident path (equity). Given more than one choice in our spiritual walk, you'll never see fireworks shining above your best decisions, but you can be sure that the right road will always be the wisest path. If you are walking in Christ, then wisdom is yours to apprehend. Walk with wisdom and you will find that the "good path" is the course you're already on.

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Pleasant Knowledge (2:10-11)

"When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:" Proverbs 2:10-11

Near the end of a satisfying meal, the taste of warm apple crisp is pleasing to the mouth. After picking berries for grandma's basket, the taste of just one mulberry is pleasing to the tongue. And at the onset of a runny nose or aching ears, the taste from one glass of orange juice is pleasing to the throat. Assorted fruit is a pleasantry that we all enjoy from time to time as the product of something once planted deep into the earth.

When "wisdom enters" deep into the heart (2:1-2), knowledge becomes "pleasant unto thy soul." The infamous scene from the Garden of Eden offers the example of fruit that was "pleasing to the eyes" (Genesis 3:6). Yet, when they ate of it, Adam and Eve were ashamed and the results were destructive. What was pleasant to the eyes was not pleasing to the soul.

Often times, knowledge has the appearance of pleasure without the benefits when we obtain it. We think that gaining information will help us to outwit or outrank the people around us, but we regurgitate facts with no lasting impression and no personal satisfaction. The problem isn't that we're learning more information. The problem is that we have no idea WHY we're learning it.

Knowledge is meant be assuring for our path and our own walk in Christ. The more you know, the more you have "discretion" and "understanding" in your daily choices. Both are designed to "preserve and keep" you on course. If the knowledge you have only creates strife, emptiness, and a littered path of wreckage, then wake up and look around. But if knowledge is a nourishment to your soul, then taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Walk worthy of a truth that bears fruit rather than a knowledge that breeds destruction.

"They ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" Colossians 1:10

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The Froward Man (2:12-15)

"To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:" Proverbs 2:12-15

First glance always requires a double take. Froward is not a misspelling of forward. It is the most direct and clear cut way of describing someone who is stubbornly disobedient or near impossible to manage. The phrase "to and fro" offers some assistance because it is the equivalent of saying "forward and backward." Thus, a man who walks froward is a man who walks in a "backwards direction." Froward is, in fact, the exact opposite of forward. Nowhere is this more passionately expressed than the Book of Proverbs.

Consider that Solomon describes this man's froward path with words like "darkness" and "crooked." If he walks in darkness, then surely he is missing the lamp of the Word to light his path (Psalm 119:105). If he walks crooked, then surely he is not walking straight. The two go hand-in-hand. Without a lamp to lighten the way, the darkness will naturally lead him on a twisting course because he cannot see where he is going. Add to that a man who has stubbornly chosen to walk backwards and you have a recipe for disaster. At some point, the darkness will lead him to an edge that he didn't see coming.

Now enters the most important question of the passage. Who is this froward man that men should be delivered from? Is he someone we know? Is he someone we've met? Is he someone we'll bump into along the way?

Go back to the "good path" and visualize yourself on it. When you look forward, you see nothing but the lamp, the Word of God, that lights your way. If you turn around, what are the three changes you notice? You're now walking (1) backwards, (2) in darkness, and (3) crooked because you can't see straight. Again ask yourself, who is the froward man?

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8

Wisdom is there to deliver you from yourself (Romans 7:21-25). This froward man is one who "leaves the paths of uprightness" he has already known. Therefore, take the Word and let it resonate. Don't just read it, study it, or examine it. Seek it, search it, find it, and hide it within your heart. The evil inside is a stubborn residue of your flesh that can only be crushed by the presence of a deeper Resident.

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Strange Women (2:16-19)

"To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life." Proverbs 2:16-19

During the opening chapter, readers learned that King Solomon was deeply concerned about the obedience of a son when the behavior of his father and mother is contrary (1:8-9). The key point resonating for the son, "Do as I say, not as I do." If we stop at this passage for a moment to consider that Solomon himself declares this warning for his son, we can't help but go back to the condemned actions of I Kings 11.

"King Solomon loved many strange women… The Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: [for] surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wife turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as [was] the heart of David his father. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord… Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant." I Kings 11:1-5a, 11

Here we find ourselves face-to-face with a man who took the "incline" of one thousand strange women like the one "strange woman" mentioned above. She "flattereth with her words" by giving insincere praise. She "forsaketh the guide of her youth" and "forgetteth the covenant of her God" by turning to harlotry wherein no parent and no god would have approved. Once a man has given himself over to her "death" he cannot "return again" to the "paths of life" because he is already dead. Only by way of God's exceptional mercy can their be any restoration (Judges 10:11-16).

The primary lesson of Proverbs is found by learning crucial wisdom from Israel's folly. Where they were flattered by false love, we shall take note of sincere love (II Corinthians 8:8). While they were quick to forsake and forget who they were, we shall always remember who we are (Ephesians 2:13-14). When they could no longer "take hold of the paths of [this] life," we shall "lay hold of eternal life" (I Timothy 6:12,19). Out of their historic failure we shall forever have the living transcript of what it is to be wise.

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The Walk (2:20)

"That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous." Proverbs 2:20

Easily the most difficult part of our journey in Christ is the walk. More often than not, this is because our preachers of grace fail to see "the walk" as a necessary part of their teaching. Much is made of knowing that salvation comes by placing our trust in the finished work of the cross (Ephesians 1:13, I Corinthians 15:1-4), but we leave many new believers in the dark by our disregard of their necessary "paths of righteousness." We teach them that they are saved by the grace of God, but say it fifty-nine times with different charts and repetitious sermons. Blind as we are to the cost, our congregations leave to face a world that we have not prepared them. Perhaps in many ways, even the long-time men and women of faith have fallen victim to ignoring this most important message.

During the present dispensation, we are called to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4), to walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1,4; Galatians 5:16,25), to walk honestly (Romans 13:13; I Thessalonians 4:12), to walk by faith (II Corinthians 5:7), to walk worthy (Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; I Thessalonians 2:12), to walk in love (Ephesians 5:2), and to walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). If those weren't more than enough reason to consider the importance of our present path, take note of the 8th category: to walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15; Colossians 4:5).

The means by which this journey begins have changed from age to age, but the objective of the walk has always been the same. They who are the children of God are to walk "in the way of good" men and good works. Surely we cannot quote the famous words of grace and faith while forgetting that we were "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" that He ordained for our footsteps (Ephesians 2:10).

Each of us share a tough road of faith. Many of our children have abandoned the lessons they learned from childhood. Many of our friends have turned their backs on hearing the gospel. Even within in our own hearts and our own minds, many of us have been struggling to rekindle the passion that once burned for Christ. We feel lonely and wonder why we our feet just won't move to the rhythm of God's grace. If you are the one standing still, then let me be a brother who takes your hand. If you are the one walking, then be a brother or a sister to the one standing still. You were never meant to walk alone (Ecclesiastes 4:10).

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Israel's Promise (2:21-22)

"For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it." Proverbs 2:21-22

Even the most well-intentioned Bible teachers can get caught with a passage like this and end up drawing imaginary application. Some years ago, I recall hearing a pastor indicate that "the land" was a plot of acreage on which they were going to build a new church building. In other words, if they were "walking in the way of good men" and "keeping the paths of the righteous" from the previous verse, then their reward would come in the form of physical property. While many of us are quick to recognize the proper significance of "the land," many Christians are sadly pulled into these misleading messages and it takes a toll on their checkbooks.

Solomon writes this set of proverbs as the second (and to this day, the last and final) head of a United Kingdom in Israel. From the opening line of Chapter Two, readers get in tune with the audience unto whom the king is writing. Solomon is not teaching his son wisdom for the sake of a heavenly blessing or a spiritual gift. He is preparing his son to take responsibility for the land and the nation that belongs to God.

This war over "the land" and who has a right to "dwell" in it goes as far back as Abraham (Genesis 12:7), Isaac (Genesis 26:2), and Jacob (Genesis 28:13). The earliest wars regarding this land are covered between the Old Testament books of Joshua and the First Book of Samuel. A recent documentary in the December 2007 edition of National Geographic shows images of Bethlehem surrounded by a snake-like wall covered in spray paint and topped with barbed wire. Israeli children wandering too far off the beaten path in curious playtime have been found mutilated and torn to pieces in a nearby cave. With all the terror that has long existed in the Middle East, perhaps we can look at Proverbs 2:21-22 and give it more credit than a misleading message about acreage for our church parking lot.

Those who are "perfect" shall remain in the land, where as those who are "wicked" and "transgressors" will be "cut off" and "rooted out." We need to be careful about how we associate perfection with the nation of Israel in this particular context. The great patriarch, Noah, had been "perfect in his generations" because his seed was not corrupted by the offspring of wicked sexual relations (Genesis 6:1-9). In other words, perfection was a reference to sexual purity for the sake of the prophesied bloodline (Genesis 3:15). Solomon has himself been defiled by many "strange women" and he spends much of the Book of Proverbs begging his son to avoid the same path in order that Israel may continue dwelling in the land. In many ways, the underpinnings of Proverbs teach Israel to hear the voice of the wise woman and steer clear of the flattering harlot.

Although we can acknowledge that these age-sensitive words fell on deaf ears at the time, perhaps we might appreciate the depths to which Solomon poured out wisdom for his son's obedience. Our future is not based on an inventory of land in the Middle East, but is instead laid up for us in heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3). As we set aside the pattern of this world in preparation for a home above, may we live by the principles of wisdom meant to guide our steps for the furtherance of His glory.

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Fully Aware (Review of Proverbs 2)

One single drive down ten miles of the interstate requires your full attention for any number of unexpected dangers. Think of the last time you drove on a busy highway and ask yourself these questions: How quickly did the other drivers allow you to merge? How many times did you change lanes by necessity? At what point did you feel it was safe to cruise or did you ever turn it on? Most of our actions on the road are determined by external conditions that, in most cases, we are trained to deal with. Every blind spot requires that we turn our head. Every four-way stop requires our patience. So it is with our walk and the conditions we must be prepared to face.

The second chapter of Proverbs offers a set of ageless principles so that the reader may be "fully aware" of the path on which they're about to walk. Wisdom is not simply there to accompany the journey, but to make sure you know where you're going (2:1-2). When the words of wisdom are hidden deep, the Lord will provide you with greater understanding, proper protection, good judgment, and even the pleasant fruit of increased knowledge (2:3-11). Unfortunately, between you and your destination are two people. The first is the froward man inside; the man eager to "leave the path" and walk in darkness (2:12-15). The second is the catalyst of the first. In other words, the froward man inside is looking for any reason to get off the proper path and the "strange woman" provides his fitting temptation (2:16-19). Walking alone will increase the chances of your fall, but walking in the company of "good men" will provide enough hands for standing tall (2:20; Ecclesiastes 4:10). To the nation of Israel, this message was crucial and deeply relevant to her future dwelling place (2:21-22).

In the present day, the stakes are no less important. The Apostle Paul speaks of whoremongers being contrary to sound doctrine (I Timothy 1:9-10). Likewise, such a man should not be named among those who call themselves saints (Ephesians 5:3-5). At the cost of making all good men vulnerable to their froward temptations, the Greek word for "whoremonger" is pornos. And yes, there is no excuse for misunderstanding here.

The children of God, regardless of dispensation, are on a continued path of righteousness. Be fully aware of this path and the many detractors who would love nothing more than to see your present destruction (I Corinthians 5:1-5). Solomon issues the warning and Paul provides the reminder:

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" Philippians 2:15

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