Reflections on Proverbs 4

 Proverbs 04 (Contemporary English Version)

1. My child, listen closely to my teachings and learn common sense.
   
2. My advice is useful, so don't turn away.
   
3. When I was still very young and my mother's favorite child, my father
   
4. said to me: "If you follow my teachings and keep them in mind, you will live.
   
5. Be wise and learn good sense; remember my teachings and do what I say.
   
6. If you love Wisdom and don't reject her, she will watch over you.
   
7. The best thing about Wisdom is Wisdom herself; good sense is more important than anything else.
   
8. If you value Wisdom and hold tightly to her, great honors will be yours.
   
9. It will be like wearing a glorious crown of beautiful flowers.
   
10. My child, if you listen and obey my teachings, you will live a long time.
    
11. I have shown you the way that makes sense; I have guided you along the right path.
    
12. Your road won't be blocked, and you won't stumble when you run.
    
13. Hold firmly to my teaching and never let go. It will mean life for you.
    
14. Don't follow the bad example of cruel and evil people.
    
15. Turn aside and keep going. Stay away from them.
    
16. They can't sleep or rest until they do wrong or harm some innocent victim.
    
17. Their food and drink are violence and cruelty.
    
18. The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight.
    
19. The lifestyle of the wicked is like total darkness, and they will never know what makes them stumble.
    
20. My child, listen carefully to everything I say.
    
21. Don't forget a single word, but think about it all.
    
22. Knowing these teachings will mean true life and good health for you.
    
23. Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.
    
24. Never tell lies or be deceitful in what you say.
    
25. Keep looking straight ahead, without turning aside.
    
26. Know where you are headed, and you will stay on solid ground.
    
27. Don't make a mistake by turning to the right or the left.

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Solomon began chapter 4 as he did chapter 3 by telling his son to pay attention to his instruction. He reinforced it this time by invoking the instruction he received from his father, David. David said to him, "Keep my commands and live." (4:4) He also told him to get wisdom and don't abandon it, for wisdom is supreme. Above all else the son should pursue wisdom and understanding. Nothing else will have the return of investment in terms of the quality of life. If he cherishes wisdom, she will exalt and honor him. The beginning of this pursuit of wisdom for the son is to pay attention to the instruction of his father, for Solomon said, "I am teaching you the way of wisdom." (4:11)

If one does not pursue wisdom, what would be the alternative? Solomon seems to say the alternative is wickedness. He goes directly from instruction to not let go of instruction and wisdom to a caution not to "set foot on the path of the wicked," as if this would be the result of letting go of instruction and wisdom. In his caution against wickedness, Solomon told his son not to even examine it. Don't even set foot on the path of the wicked as if to explore its possibilities. The only concern of the wicked is to hurt other people. It is their bread and wine. They can't sleep until they have caused violence. By comparison, the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, while the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom.

The key to avoiding the ways of the wicked is to guard one's heart, for "it is the source of life." (4:23) The heart is not only the source of life physically, but in every other way as well. From the heart proceeds thought process and intent. If one is to guard against wickedness and all ill pursuits, the effort must begin with the heart. It is the heart, the seat of our desires and passions, that will set us on a path of wisdom, and having done so then it must guard against wandering eyes and feet. We must keep our eyes focused on the path of wisdom and not straying to the right or left to consider anything else. Once the eyes have strayed, the feet will follow, leaving the path of wisdom. It may seem like just a slight detour, no harm, no fowl. But there are no slight detours. Once off the path we are on the slippery slope that makes return to the path difficult.