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 2:16-19 “Wisdom Blessing #4: Protection from the Evil Woman”

(16) To deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words, (17) who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. (18) For her house leads down to death, and her paths to the dead; (19) none who go to her return, nor do they regain the paths of life

She’s beautiful. She’s giving you a lot of attention. She wants more. A lot more.

You have desires. You have needs. You want more. A lot more.

How will you resist her temptation? You probably won’t. You’ve already gone far. You’ve already let your mind go down the wrong path. You have given into lust and it is now controlling your thoughts. You have already put yourself in a compromising position.

How does wisdom deliver you from the immoral woman? When the seductress begins to flatter you, wisdom sends up the red flags. You never allow your mind to dwell on her, her words, or her physical beauty. Wisdom is stopping it before it gets started. Wisdom allows you to recognize that she does not have your best interest in mind. She wants what she can get out of you. Wisdom allows you to recognize the consequences of going down this path before you ever set foot on this path. Momentary pleasure = Lifetime of suffering.

She has abandon previous lovers. She has abandon God. She will derail you from the right path, causing you to leave God. In the end, she will bring you more misery than you ever thought possible. You will never recover. Momentary pleasure = Lifetime of suffering. Is it really worth it?

Proverbs provides two lengthy descriptions of the immoral woman and the results of giving in to her words. They are listed below and worthy of your time to read and understand them. Inoculate yourself now so that when the temptation comes, you will be able to flee.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 5:3-20; 7:5-23; 1 Corinthians 6:18

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What makes resisting temptation difficult for many people is they don't want to discourage it completely.

Proverbs 2:12-15 “Wisdom Blessing #3: Protection from the Evil Man”

(12) To deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things,  (13) from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness;  (14) who rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked;  (15) whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths. 


The first two blessings of wisdom are knowing God & discernment for living. Wisdom now provides its third blessing: protection from evil men and their perverse paths. If the young man has heeded his fathers exhortation to learn wisdom, when the wicked, perverse man comes, the wisdom the young man has stored up will recognize the wicked man and guide the son away.

Who is this wicked man? When you read this, you may picture a hunched over, gangly, old man. I don’t think that is who this wise father is warning his son about. The son is young and is making friends. The wise father is most likely warning his son to be careful of his peers, those who are his own age. Those are the ones he is most likely to be tempted by. They pose the greatest danger as the young man begins to make friends that will influence the course of his life. Wicked men don't come with a warning sign around their neck stating that they are wicked, will ruin your life, and you need to avoid them. They come, sound enticing, and offer fun. However, wisdom learned in earlier times will send the warning so that you are not lured away. These are the type of young men that you must avoid and not associate with. This is one of the ways wisdom will preserve you (see v. 11).
These are the wicked men that come and offer their version of ‘fun.’ This ‘fun’ is at the expense of others. Their speech is wicked, a sure indication of what is in their heart. These wicked men have no interest in walking rightly, only in darkness. The delight in doing evil and in the perversity of others. They follow the path that leads to destruction. They have no interest in or fear of the Lord. They enjoy their wickedness and desire to bring others to join  their wickedness. Their paths are in direct contrast to the right paths wisdom will guide you in (see v. 9).
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Related Scriptures: Acts 20:30
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Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” - 1 Corinthians 15:33

Proverbs 2:9-11 “Wisdom Blessing #2: Discernment for Living”

(9) Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. (10) When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, (11) discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you.

These three verses give the next progressive blessing for the young man pursuing wisdom: discernment for living. Verse 9 starts off with the word ‘then’ indicating that this does not occur until what was previously stated occurs. Only after you gain a fear of the Lord and God grants your desires for more wisdom (v. 5-8), will you develop discernment for living your life. It is important not to reverse the order of the fear of the Lord and wise living. A person may live a good life, but without the fear of the Lord, without salvation, his good decisions will be limited to this world and his eternity will be spent separated from his Creator in the eternal fires of hell. So true is the Scripture “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) Wisdom must begin with the fear of the Lord.

The parts of this blessing include an understanding of righteousness, justice, equity, viz., every good path. (If you will recall, this is one of the objectives of the book of Proverbs - see 1:2-6). The word ‘path’ is used metaphorically for the course a person chooses for his life. Wisdom provides the insight to choose every good path, thus developing a lifestyle that follows a course, i.e. consistently chooses, of what is morally correct.

The wise father now explains the reason for this understanding. As you put wisdom in your heart (v. 1-4), this knowledge becomes ‘pleasant to your soul.’ Choosing every good path becomes natural and pleasant because you (1) know what is right, (2) understand the advantage of doing right, and (3) discern the consequences of not choosing the right path. This discretion protects you from evil because it keeps you on the good path.

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Related Scriptures: Psalm 32:8; 119:105; Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6

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“[Wisdom] saves the good man from the consequences of naiveté.” - William McKane

Proverbs 2:5-8 “Wisdom Blessing #1: Knowledge of God & His Protection”

(5) Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (6) For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (7) He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; (8) He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.

In the first four verses of the chapter, the wise father has appealed to the son to receive wisdom, meditate on wisdom, cry out for wisdom, and pursue wisdom. He now moves into the blessings that wisdom bestows on those who seek her. Here is a summary of the 5 Wisdom Blessings given in this chapter.

1.   Knowledge of God & God’s protection (v. 5-8)

2.   Discernment for Living (v. 9-11)

3.   Protection from Evil Men (v. 12-14)

4.   Protection from Evil Women (v. 16-19)

5.   Righteous Living (v. 20-22)

The blessings are given in the order a young man would need them. Wisdom’s first blessing is knowing God, which has several parts. The parts include the fear of the Lord, the knowledge of God, receiving additional wisdom, protection and preservation.

This blessing is the foundation of all the other blessings. In fact, this blessing is actually the foundation of wisdom itself. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7 & 9:10) The first realization that you are becoming wise is when you realize that you are beginning to fear the Lord.

What is the “fear of the Lord?” First and foremost, understand that the fear of the Lord is a positive quality. We typically think of fear in negative terms, but this is a different kind of fear. Exodus 20:20 states that this fear recognizes God’s good intentions and prevents sin. It provides confidence (Proverbs 14:26) and a good night’s sleep (Proverbs 19:23). C. I. Scofield called the fear of the Lord “Old Testament piety, meaning reverential trust, with hatred of evil.” (See Job 28:28) To distinguish the ‘fear’ in “fear of the Lord” from ‘fear’ as in afraid or terror, think of it as ‘holy fear.’ Two verses lend to this concept. “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11) & “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.” (Psalm 5:7) As you begin to recognize Who God is, you gain the fear of the Lord and tremble at His greatness which leads to rejoicing and worship! Wow! This is the beginning of wisdom and is the first benefit of having wisdom: a right relationship with the Most High God, your Creator.

Note that the Lord Himself gives wisdom. God wants you to know Him. he wants you to see His glory and rejoice in Him. He reveals Himself to you. He gives you more wisdom, helping you come to greater knowledge and understanding of Him, so that you will rejoice in Him even more. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” (Psalm 34:8) God has actually stored up sound wisdom for you so that you can know Him even better. That is why the father exhorts his son to seek wisdom as silver and search for her as for hidden treasure. That is how you receive the wonderful wisdom God has stored up for you.

But this first blessing of wisdom doesn’t end with knowing God, or fearing the Lord, or even with receiving God’s stores of wisdom. It continues with the promise that God will protect you as you walk uprightly. He guards your just paths. He preserves your way.

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Related Scriptures: Daniel 1:17; Jeremiah 9:24; James 3:17

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And to man He said, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” - Job 28:28

Proverbs 2:1-4 “The Admonition to Receive Wisdom”

(1) My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,

(2) So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;

(3) Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding,

(4) If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures…

In these four verses, comprising the second of the 10 appeals from the father, the wise father presents the progression of gaining wisdom. In the rest of the chapter, he notes 5 benefits of gaining wisdom. Here is the progression of gaining wisdom presented in verses 1-4

1.   Reception of Wisdom

2.   Meditation on Wisdom

3.   Request for more Wisdom

4.   Pursuit of Wisdom

In verse 1, the son is exhorted to receive the lessons from his father and treasure them. Wisdom is hidden in the soul and valued it greatly because it may not be immediately used. However, by treasuring it, by hiding it one’s heart, it will be ready when the time comes that it is needed. Think of it as storing up for a rainy day. Indeed, these are the proper riches to store up.

This will have its effects in the wise son who treasures these words. Once they are in his heart, they will affect his attitudes, which will affect his decisions, which will affect his future actions.

Verse 2 presents the next step after receiving the words of wisdom: meditating on them. Inclining the ear means to pay close attention. “Apply your heart to understanding” means ‘to turn’ to understanding. The son is to listen carefully and to apply, i.e. to turn, his heart toward the teaching in order to fully understand. This is meditation. This patient ruminating on lessons the father has taught ingrains wisdom and leads to success. The ear hears & the mind (heart) applies.

In verse 2, the ear and mind were involved. Now the mouth is involved in crying out and lifting up for wisdom. It is appropriate both to ask those who are older and wiser to help you understand and also to pray to God for understanding of what you are meditating on. This verse is actually more intense than asking, you are to “cry out” for discernment.” If it does not come immediately, do not quit. This verse tells you to intensify your request by lifting up your voice. Wisdom is not easily acquired. Effort and patience are required, which brings us to verse 4.

The father now gives the last step in the progression of gaining wisdom – pursuing wisdom. There are two concepts shown here. First of all is the value of that which is being sought. Wisdom has intrinsic value like silver. The second concept in this simile is the diligence in the search. Wisdom is like ‘hidden’ treasure. It is not available unless you search for it. You must expend the effort to reap the reward.

I have one last thought regarding this progression of wisdom. Gaining wisdom also develops good character. For example, verse 1 requires attentiveness to what is being taught. Verse 2 requires diligence to meditate on the words of the father in order to gain understanding. Verse 3 requires persistence not to give up if understanding doesn’t come right away. Finally, verse 4 demands patience to keep seeking and searching. Of course, there are many other character traits that can be applied. The point is that as you acquire wisdom, you will also be developing good character.

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Related Scriptures: Psalm 119:9-11; Matthew 6:19-21; 13:9; James 1:5

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“A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.” – Francis Bacon

Proverbs 1:32-33 “Lady Wisdom’s First Appeal, Part 3: The Reason”

(32) “For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; (33) but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

Lady Wisdom has given her plea to repent of neglecting the Word of God. She has given her warning that you will reap what you sow if you ignore her plea. She now gives the reason for listening to her plea.

Lady Wisdom first gives two results of rejecting her plea.

1.   Wisdom called the simple to turn to her (v. 23) but instead they turn away and it “will slay them.” The fool thinks he can reject God (Psalm 14:1) without consequences. This rejection will lead to their eternal destruction.

2.   These fools remain complacent, secure in their worldliness. The presume upon the kindness of God. This will also lead to their eternal destruction.

By way of stark contrast, Lady Wisdom now gives the results of listening to her:

1.   Dwell safely – The Believer has the protection of heaven (Psalm 121; 91:3-7; Joshua 1:5)

2.   Be secure without fear of evil – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3)

As Proverbs 1 concludes, we are present once again with the two paths: the path of the fool and the path of wisdom. The path of the fool seems appealing at first and the path of wisdom seems arduous. In the end however, the path of wisdom is the only path that provides safety, security, and happiness.

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Related Scriptures: Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 1:24 & 30

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“Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3;