Nothing You Desire Can Compare
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Proverbs 1:1-7, 3:1-18
1. The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2. That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight, 3. receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; 4. that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth -- 5. the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill, 6. to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Pro 3:1. My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2. for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. 3. Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9. Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10. then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11. My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12. for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. 13. Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, 14. for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold. 15. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
I had a hard time narrowing down what verses to include this morning! Every verse in Proverbs is just amazing! When I read up on some of the background of “wisdom literature” of the time I discovered some interesting facts. My Bible Reader’s Companion states, “Similar observations are found both in the biblical Book of Proverbs and the sayings found in Egyptian and Mesopotamian wisdom literature.” These parallels reflect “that God has given all human beings moral insight. A knowledge of right and wrong, a sense of what marks just and right behavior, is ingrained in human nature itself, and finds expression in at least some of the moral teachings of every human society.”
That tells me that God dwells within every human being. That his inspired and divine word is communicated to our minds and hearts in some cosmic, mystical way we, as mere man, cannot understand. We teach our children to have good manners, to be kind, to share, to subjugate their own needs for the needs of others. But do we do so with the thought that some day, or actually on many, many days of their lives, they will need to rely upon the collective wisdom of their childhood to live in this world? I don’t think I ever did that on a conscious level as I reared my children. I think it was just that ingrained moral sense of right and wrong that guided me. Of course, it was actually God’s divine wisdom and knowledge that compelled me to teach them what they needed to know, but I didn’t think about that on the 57th time I said “No” for whatever reason to a cranky, strong-willed, single-minded child! Only now do I realize that God was in that all! In a literal, tangible, moment-by-moment way – Guiding, uplifting, supporting and inspiring me far beyond what I could have possibly gleaned on my own!
Maybe I shouldn’t admit that! But it’s so easy to forget all that in the midst of life—not just child-rearing, but working, grocery shopping, going on vacation, anything—everything! God is in the mix. And His words are the words of life! And His words are the wisdom we need to live by. Not the words of society. Not the words of car manufacturers, not the words of politicians, not the words of the media, not the words of anybody, anywhere, just His word! There were many days and many, many sleepless nights when my children were growing up that the wisdom of the Lord is the only way I made it through— God’s Word taught to me by my parents, by my spiritual mentors and role models, by my friends, by my church family, and by living life in the world.
One of my favorite songs is based on verses 14-15. “Lord you are more precious than silver. Lord you are more costly than gold. Lord you are more beautiful than diamonds; and nothing I desire compares to you.” That kind of says it all! Nothing in this world will satisfy. For nothing in this life should we strive beyond a deep, abiding, continual and devoted relationship with God. He is the source of all happiness, honor and peace. And His Son is the reason we live with the assurance that we will join Him in heaven at the end of time.
I hope you spend your day relying upon God’s wisdom and instruction, applying words of insight, putting into practice instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity.
Mary
