Blogging Through Proverbs Part VII - 2:7-8

Studying: 1 Corinthians 5-8, Proverbs 2

Memorizing: Romans 1:1-10

Entertainment: 1 1/2 hours

Thoughts: Good

"he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints." Proverbs 2:7-8

If I am receptive, if I treasure what is faithfully taught to me, if I am attentive to wisdom, if I bend, if I cry, really cry out for wisdom, if I seek it and search for it, then I will be able to understand and discern what it means to fear the LORD.  This is the basic idea behind 2:1-5, we've already discussed.  Then verse 6 points out the source of that wisdom; the LORD himself. He grants wisdom through his word.  

It goes on here to say in verse 7 that he "stores up" sound wisdom for the upright.  The word used here is the same one used in 2:2 for "treasure."  Solomon exhorts his son to "treasure" the commands that he gives him.  Likewise, we are to treasure those godly things that are taught to us.  Those who treasure God find in him treasures unparalleled.  For those who seek wisdom, they will find a treasury filled with wisdom beyond imagination.

Then, in verses 7b & 8, some of the benefits and results of wisdom are seen.  The one who fears the LORD and pursues wisdom finds great benefits.  Three in particular are mentioned here.

Shielding - The wisdom of God is great protection for the saint.  A shield blocks deadly things from hitting a person, and likewise, one who possesses the wisdom of God knows how to defend against "the fiery darts of the wicked."  When evil comes, when temptation arises, godly wisdom shields the believer.

Guarding - A shield is used to guard against an attack that has already been launched.  But a guard is on the lookout for an attack that has not yet come.  Godly wisdom guards the paths of justice, the paths of what is right.  Those who have the wisdom of God not only know how to shield from attacks, but the also intently and carefully watch their ways.  A believer must take great care that his path of righteousness does not detour. 

Preserving - The word used is very similar to the one used for "guarding" but "preserving" carries with the idea of keeping something the way it ought to be for the long haul, to its final end.  

When I was a boy I remember my grandmother "preserving" different vegetables and fruits during the summer and harvest time.  She would cook or "blanch" whatever she was working on that the time, put it in the "Mason" jar and then put the lid on.  Soon we would hopefully here the "pop" of the jar lid, letting us know that the jar had sealed properly and all was well.

The process preserved the fruits or vegetables.  It took all the necessary steps to insure that whatever could harm the foods were blocked.  The cooking killed off bacteria.  The sealing prevented air, and thus further bacteria from getting in.  The result was that several years down the road the jar could be opened and one could enjoy the food like the day it was picked.

Godly wisdom teaches us how to preserve our faith.  Godly wisdom teaches us to look at a situation and say "I shouldn't go there...I shouldn't watch that...I need to do that...This will really grow my faith," etc.  He who possesses godly wisdom will keep his faith "fresh" for years and years to come.