Today we are looking at the next five verses of chapter 4:Proverbs 4: 5 - 9 (NKJV)
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
Last time we saw that Solomon was talking to his sons, and trying to pass along the wisdom that he had learned during his life and from the teachings of his father, King David (which God called a “man after His own heart.”)
He repeats, emphatically, the need for wisdom and understanding, and asks that these things NOT be forgotten or turned away from. He begs them/us not to forsake wisdom because “she” will preserve them/us. He states that if “wisdom” is loved, than it will keep you.
This sounds like many parents who say the same things over and over and over to children to try to make sure that they will get the things they feel are important into their child’s life. I’ve been there and done that, and apparently this is one thing that even God, as our parent, knows that we need to help make us pay attention to the things that are important.
He again goes into the need to not only hear and put wisdom into our minds, but to also digest it until we understand the concepts. He says that if we “Exalt her (wisdom),” then “she will promote you.” “Exalt” means to: 1. raise in rank, character, or status; elevate: The definition of “promote” is: 1. a. To raise to a more important or responsible job or rank. b. To advance (a student) to the next higher grade. 2. To contribute to the progress or growth of; further. 3. To urge the adoption of; advocate for:
I would tend to take the second definition of "promote" in this instance and say that when we put Godly wisdom first in our lives, it will contribute to progress or growth in our lives. The same verse goes on to say that when we embrace her, we will gain honor.
Our last verse for today, talks of wisdom placing “an ornament of grace” on the head, much like the verse in chapter 3, verse 22. where it talks about discernment being “an ornament of grace” to your neck. This verse goes on to say that it will deliver a crown of glory to you.
Last time we saw that Solomon was talking to his sons, and trying to pass along the wisdom that he had learned during his life and from the teachings of his father, King David (which God called a “man after His own heart.”)
He repeats, emphatically, the need for wisdom and understanding, and asks that these things NOT be forgotten or turned away from. He begs them/us not to forsake wisdom because “she” will preserve them/us. He states that if “wisdom” is loved, than it will keep you.
This sounds like many parents who say the same things over and over and over to children to try to make sure that they will get the things they feel are important into their child’s life. I’ve been there and done that, and apparently this is one thing that even God, as our parent, knows that we need to help make us pay attention to the things that are important.
He again goes into the need to not only hear and put wisdom into our minds, but to also digest it until we understand the concepts. He says that if we “Exalt her (wisdom),” then “she will promote you.” “Exalt” means to: 1. raise in rank, character, or status; elevate: The definition of “promote” is: 1. a. To raise to a more important or responsible job or rank. b. To advance (a student) to the next higher grade. 2. To contribute to the progress or growth of; further. 3. To urge the adoption of; advocate for:
I would tend to take the second definition of "promote" in this instance and say that when we put Godly wisdom first in our lives, it will contribute to progress or growth in our lives. The same verse goes on to say that when we embrace her, we will gain honor.
Our last verse for today, talks of wisdom placing “an ornament of grace” on the head, much like the verse in chapter 3, verse 22. where it talks about discernment being “an ornament of grace” to your neck. This verse goes on to say that it will deliver a crown of glory to you. 
These types of adornment draws the eyes to the wearer, and often draw people to the person wearing them. If we are being “adorned” by Godly living, then we will draw people to us as they feel the difference that God makes in us. We should have the “living water” of Christ’s love to pour out into the lives of those who are seeking Him when He does draw them toward us.
Another great one. What came to me when I was reading about the adornment and your reference to the ornament of grace around our neck, then the crown of glory, then in Ephesians 6 we have the Armor of God.
ReplyDeleteBelt of Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Feet shod w/ Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation, and Sword of the Spirit. Now if you think of all of this and in Matthew God tells us not to worry about what we will wear - that He will cover us, I/we relate that to cloth clothing but God just showed me that He wants to Clothe me in a much bigger/greater way.
He wants to clothe, adourn/equipe me/us with what will protect us. We think of cloth clothing as a protective layer to our physical skin, God is looking to cloth and protect our spiritual skin.
Hope my comment wasn't too long - But your Study sparked a great nudge from God today. Thank you!
Blessings,
Lynn
I really loved what you had to say, and I hadn't thought of that at all. All of God's clothing... just picturing it, would adorn us as Royalty going to battle, and as we grow more and more into our heritage, i.e. children of God, then He gives us bigger battles, but is always there with the protection we need because our trust and faith in Him grows, too. I thank you so much for your insightfulness and your addition to these studies. I doubt your comments would ever be too long, though sometimes I wonder if mine aren't too long.
ReplyDeleteDo you think I should try to keep them shorter... I'm trying to just put down what I feel God wants me to share. Thanks again! Linda