Blogging Through Proverbs Part IX - 2:11-15

Studying: 1 Corinthians 12-14, Proverbs 2

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-12

Entertainment: 45 minutes

Thoughts: Good

"Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, 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 delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; 15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways;" - Proverbs 2:11-15 - NASB

Have you ever seen a security guard at a bank?  Chances are he wasn't doing much was he?  I've always thought that to be a security guard could get to be quite a boring job.  He just stands there all day making sure nothing happens.  I imagine this could become quite tedious.  But at the same time, I can't imagine a security guard really wanting an "interesting" day.  While I'm sure there are some exceptions out there somewhere, the basic rule would seem to be that no security guard wants to get in a gunfight or have to shoot somebody.  But, while the job may seem dull and uneventful at times, the guard can't let himself grow weary.  He can't "let his guard down" thinking "nobody's going to steal anything today."  For if he does the risk of a thief taking advantage of the situation greatly increases.  He must remain sharp and keep, ever watching and vigilant in his work or a great loss could happen.

In verse 11 Solomon here talks about more of benefits for the person who pursues and attains wisdom from God.  Here he mentions "discretion" and "understanding" both going about the task of "guarding" and "watching" over the believer.  The idea being is that with wisdom comes a myriad of qualities (mentioned in a previous post) that work in the life of the one who posses wisdom to change his life for the better in the pursuit of godliness.  "Discretion" and "understanding" become guards, watchmen, watching intently and carefully for any evil that tries to attack.  The pursuer of wisdom has his heart and mind sharpened and keen to any threat of evil.

Solomon then goes on to mention two specific instances in which discretion and understanding work.  The first for today is deliverance from the evil way as seen in verse twelve. Discretion and understanding work together to "deliver" the pursuer of wisdom from the way of evil, specifically from those who are evil themselves and walk in the ways of evil.  What is he delivered from?

1. Perverted Speech - Men with twisted words who speak twisted things.  Discretion and understanding delivers the one wise in God's ways from this kind of speech.

2. Wandering Feet - From those who leave the paths of righteousness, the path that leads to life and godliness.  

3. Walking in Darkness - Evil men don't just pull off of the path of righteousness to stop on the side of the road and rest.  They pursue a completely different way altogether, the way of darkness and evil.

4. Delighting in Evil - That which is evil becomes joy to men of evil.  Misery makes them happy.

5. Rejoicing in Perversity - The wicked not only speak of what is twisted, but it is also gladness to them.

6. Crooked Paths - Their path is not only in the darkness, but it twists and turns.  The path itself is completely perverted.

7. Devious Ways - Their course is full of guile and deception, of lies and falsehood.

Discretion and understanding guard the pursuer of wisdom so that he is delivered from the people that practice these things.