Proverbs 2:20-22 “Wisdom Blessing #5: Righteous Living”

 (20) So you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness. (21) For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; (22) but the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.

At the beginning of the chapter, the father tells the son how to gain wisdom. Desire, diligence, and effort exerted over time are some of the keys to gaining wisdom. It is not gained quickly or easily. Now, the father describes wisdom’s fifth reward. Wisdom will keep you in the way of goodness and to the paths of righteousness. This is no doubt the best path to be on throughout life as this path will allow you to dwell and remain in the land.

However, this speaks about more than just your life, it speaks toward the inheritance which the righteous will pass on. Wisdom’s enduring nature is seen as being passed on from generation to generation. This is what is happening in the book of Proverbs. The father who has wisdom is teaching his son wisdom so that it will be passed on to the next generation. The effort put forth to gain wisdom produces a more than a lifetime of fruit. It reaches into the next generation so they can receive its blessings.

However, the other path – the path of the fool, the one who rejects God and His ways – leads to death (see v. 18-19). These wicked men will be cut off and uprooted from the earth. There will be no enduring blessings, no lasting happiness, and no bright future.

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Related Scriptures: Psalm 37:9-34; Matthew 5:5

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He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. – Psalms 25:13-14

Proverbs 29:15 "The rod and reproof"

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”

The key to effective child training is not just the ‘rod’ nor just ‘reproofs’, but both. When the rod is used, a rational, appropriate reproof should be given. This reproof clarifies the exact transgression, distinguishing good from evil. The reproof also provides instruction from the parent to the child. In this way, the child gains wisdom. The purpose of the rod is to administer required punishment for the transgression, bring the child to repentance, and provide opportunity for the reproof. One word of caution: Do not discipline your child in anger or express disgust with him. The unwise parent who displays these attitudes will prevent an environment for proper training and will not win the heart of their child.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 22:6, 15; 23:13-15; 29:17; Hebrews 12:10-11

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“My mother had a lot of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” – Mark Twain

Proverbs 19:13 “A Son, A Father, and A Wife”

“A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.”

Looking at this verse, your first thought is probably about the plight of the father who has a foolish son and a nagging wife. But remember that Proverbs was written to young people about wise living. Most likely, the young man will one day have a son and a wife. From that perspective, it is a caution for young man to be wise in choosing a wife and in how he raises his children. What qualities should a woman have – in this case, not have - before you take her as a wife? What steps as a father should you take to ensure you do not have a foolish son?

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 19:18;13:24; 22:15; 29:15-17; 18:22; 31:10-31

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“My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.” -Winston Churchill