^{Moments in Proverbs
Proverbs 4:10-13}

In our last video, we learned that King Solomon was teaching the same wisdom that his father, King David taught him - how to attain wisdom.  Solomon laid out his doctrine, which supported the Mosaic Law, and he said that it was good.  Today, Solomon continues to encourage his son in the ways of the Lord.

¹⁰ Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many.  ¹¹ I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.

Any reference of Solomon being taught by his father King David, seems to disappear at this point.  He again speaks directly to his son, reminding him of the importance of what he has learned by him so far.  

King Solomon was inferring here that lack of temperance and wisdom shortens one's life, and those who follow in the ways of the Lord, gaining His wisdom, God will add to their days.  While this is not a specific promise to all who follow in God's wisdom, it is a general principle that God is showing those who choose to follow in His ways - seeking after His wisdom.

Solomon has taught his son what he needs to know to gain wisdom.  He has lived and led him down the right path - at least at this point of time.

¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,  and when you run, you will not stumble. ¹³ Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.

As long as Solomon's son stays on God's righteous path - as we have referred to as the ruts God lay before us, we will not stumble.  Our path will not be hindered because we are trusting God for the path that is laid out before us.

Take hold - never forget, keeping them firm in your mind the instructions given.  Never let them go - for wisdom is his life. In the same way, we are never to forget the wisdom God has given us, follow in the path He has laid out for us, for it is our life as well.

A Section of Scripture Missed

In Monday's teaching when I taught on Proverbs 3:5-6 and it was brought to my attention by one of you viewers that I missed the teaching on Proverbs 3:7-8, totally bypassing it and going into verse verse 9 of chapter 3 on firstfruits.  I do apologize for that.  I knew I could not go back and re-record it, but somehow add it into another teaching in which it would fit in.  Right now seems to be the time.

Proverbs 3:7-8  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.  8  It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.

Keeping it in the context of what trusting in the Lord with all our heart, leaning not on our own understanding, we see here that Solomon is telling his son, as well as God is speaking to us, to not think of ourselves as wise.  In comparison to God, we know nothing.  Instead, we need to stay away from all forms of evil - anything that is contrary to the will of God, and fear God with an awesome reverential fear and respect that puts Him in the place of honor and first-place in our lives.  God is our Creator and He knows every detail of our life - past, present, and future.  Who are we to think that we can lean our own understanding, and think we are wise?  That's comparing our earthly selves to God and His full knowledge of who we are.  To me, that is prideful and mocking God for He is.  

If we can just put ourselves in the right perspective with God, we will acknowledge Him as our Creator and we are His created.  He formed us, breated His life into us, gave us a call and a purpose in life, but we are still His created being - not the Creator.  We are here to serve Him, and God is Lord over all!

When we lean on God for His wisdom, having that awesome fear of Him as Creator and Lord over our lives, it will bring healing, health and strength to our bodies.  Why would we even want to lean on our own strength when God promises all these wonderful things to those who put their trust in Him, not leaning on our own understanding?

God bless!

Pastor Joyce Erickson
Believersbiblestudy.com