When I was about eight or nine years old, my Dad invited my younger brother and me to listen while he read Proverbs to us. I’m sure he read it to us many times, and his love for Proverbs made me think it must be an important book. I have respected it ever since.

What I remember most is Dad telling us that wisdom was the most important thing we could pursue in life. He said, “If you go after nothing else in life, go after wisdom. Watch for it, run after it. Find wise people and learn from them. Pray that God will give you wisdom.” It became a perpetual prayer in my life that God would teach me wisdom.

Why Did Solomon Write Proverbs?

King Solomon wrote Proverbs because, like my Dad, he wanted people to get God’s wisdom into their lives. In Proverbs 1:1-7 Solomon names the purpose and the audience for his book. He wanted to help people:

• Gain wisdom and instruction
• Become prudent in their behavior
• Do what is right, just and fair

He had a few groups of people in mind as he wrote. Some of them needed a lot of help, others would add to what they already knew by reading his book. He wrote Proverbs to:

• Provide prudence to simple people who needed some common sense
• Supply knowledge and discretion to the young
• Give wise people additional knowledge
• Offer discerning people guidance
• Help everyone learn how to understand the proverbs, parables, sayings and riddles of the wise

Underlying all of these teachings was Solomon’s admonition to fear the Lord. He had discovered that truth originated in God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

It’s not possible to become a wise person without engaging with God, the source of all wisdom.

Choose Wise Friends

One of the things we prayed for our children as they grew up was that they would choose wise friends. We hoped they would be wise themselves, but we knew choosing the right friends would make a big difference.

Solomon was very clear about the kind of friends people should avoid.

“My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”— my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!” Proverbs 1:10-17

These bad characters sound like criminals, and not many of us get invitations from people like that, but the principle holds. A wise person discerns when a bad plan is being proposed and has nothing to do with it. Tempting wise people to sin is like trying to catch birds while showing them the net. They will just fly away.

One of Solomon’s goals in writing Proverbs was to help wise people recognize evil people and avoid them.

The Beauty of Wisdom

Solomon uses the feminine gender when he describes wisdom. This is not because women are inherently wiser than men, but because wisdom is as lovely as a gracious and beautiful noblewoman. She is helpful, hospitable, generous, and inviting. She spreads a feast for all who are willing to come and learn from her. Solomon insisted on the importance of seeking wisdom.

“Get wisdom, get understanding, do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have,  get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” Proverb 4:5-9

Where do you go to find wisdom? You can start right here, by reading Proverbs to develop your relationship with God. Solomon says that seeking the Lord is the same as seeking wisdom.

Only two things are required to get to know the Lord: Be consistent in studying his Word and pray to him regularly. Add to that choosing wise friends who also want to know God, and you are on your way.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright . . .” Proverbs 2:6-7

The Problem with Not Gaining Wisdom

Solomon knew people had to choose whether or not to pursue wisdom, so he gave some advice on the topic: Listen to wisdom before it’s too late.

“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:28-33

There is a season for learning wisdom and that season is generally before people think they need it. Wisdom calls all day long, but some people don’t take the time to accept her invitation. Then, when they need wisdom most, it’s too late.

Getting wisdom needs to start early and be a lifelong pursuit.

Trust the Lord

It’s one thing to know about the Lord, it’s another to put your whole trust in him. It’s possible to be a believer, do Bible study, pray, and fellowship with other believers and still put your trust in yourself. It becomes evident when we are continually anxious about our lives.

We worry, and try to find solutions, and worry some more because we don’t trust God to help us even after we pray. We make ourselves sick with worry.

“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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones . . . Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 3:5-8, 23-24

Sometimes it’s hard to trust God with big things, but it gets easier with practice. And It pays off in straight paths for our feet and quiet rest for our souls.

Guard Your Heart

Solomon wanted his people to take good care of their hearts because whatever was in their hearts inevitably came out in their lives. If they wanted good lives, they had to cultivate good hearts.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

How do you guard your heart? By being careful about what you expose it to. King Solomon suggested that his people fix their attention on gaining wisdom and righteousness, and not get distracted.

“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27

The thing about keeping on course is that not everyone wants to join you. Sometimes people want you to go off course with them. It takes a discerning heart and determined mind to stick with the plan to grow in wisdom and avoid evil. It takes growing in your respect for the Lord and wanting what he wants – which, as Solomon says, is the beginning of wisdom.