In this chapter Solomon continues to plead with his audience to get wisdom, and gain understanding, treasuring it, and be protected by it.
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” (v7-8, 20, 22-23, 26)
“Get wisdom, get insight” seems to be the refrain of this chapter. It sounds simple, and it is, however it can take great effort to accomplish. What does Solomon mean by this saying?
Get Wisdom: We are constantly bombarded 24/7 with more information than we could ever want or need. North Americans are presented with advertisements, notifications, emails, verbal communication, etc. approximately every 12 seconds. Most of the information directed at us however, is not wisdom (at least not godly wisdom). Godly wisdom comes from a single source – God (including His Word, His messengers, and His Spirit).
Get Insight: If we manage to eek out some true wisdom, that’s only the first step, we then need “insight”. By definition, it is “the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or thing”. It’s not enough to simply obtain wisdom, we then need to consistently apply it, and learn the deep truths God has behind that wisdom.
Wisdom and insight work well as a two-part harmony, and are virtually worthless on their own. We can have hollow wisdom without insight, and insight into things which are not wise. Both are required in to live our Christ-honoring lives to their fullest. I suggest we continue to seek God and His Spirit for both wisdom and insight, knowing that they will benefit us, and those around us, for generations to come. We will not gain much wisdom and insight by accident, it must be an intentional pursuit.
Father God, our All-Knowing and Insightful Lord, the extent of Your wisdom and purpose are beyond our limited understanding. Please bless us with a hunger for Your wisdom, and please guide us through Your Spirit to apply that teaching and gain deep understanding of You. May we then teach others what we have learned, such as Solomon did, so future generations would gain the fullness of life promised in Your word. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the One who reconciled us to You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training