Memorizing: Romans 1:1-16
Entertainment: 2 hours
Thoughts: Good
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let you heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of live and peace they will add to you." Proverbs 3:1-2, NASB
From verse 1 through verse 12 Solomon enters a section of commands and benefits. "Do this" he says "and this will happen." This is a particularly encouraging section as it clearly highlights the rewards of living obediently. What is commanded here is, in essence, how one lives if they live according to God's wisdom in the first place.
At the same time there are some interpretive difficulties associated with these kinds of passages. Indeed, many live long lives who do forget the teachings of their fathers, and who do not keep their commandments. At the same time, many who have kept the teachings of their fathers and have kept their commandments do not necessarily live long lives. For example, I would venture to say that John the Baptist was probably an obedient and respectful child. Being regenerate from the womb, he probably kept and observed the teachings of his father quite well. Yet his days were seemingly rather short.
I'm not going to pretend to reconcile all the possible interpretations and points. I think there are two basic perspectives here through which to look at this.
Temporal Perspective - Here and in the verses to come Solomon is speaking about general principles, about the "big picture" it would seem. Are there those who live wisely yet still die "young"? Certainly. But the "general" principle seems to be that living wisely yields long life and grants peace to the person who lives that way. And this just makes sense if one thinks about it. A wise man lives very practically, thus not usually engaging in frivolous, and sinful activities that are normally perilous to one's life. Wise men don't smoke crack or play Russian Roulette. Wise men don't play games of "chicken" with oncoming trains. Thus wisdom in a very real sense adds "length of days" to a person's life.
At the same time wisdom adds "peace" to the life of one who lives wisely. Again, does this mean that if a man lives wisely that all around him will be in a constant state of tranquility? The answer again is no. None ever lived so wisely as Jesus, yet many in the world were constantly at odds with him. But living wisely does truly add peace. The man who lives wisely will mostly likely have an overall peaceful marriage. In general, he will have peace amongst his friends. Since he carries out his business and work with wisdom, he does not need to fear the law and such. Therefore wisdom can bring real peace in this life.
Eternal Perspective - There is also, and more importantly, an eternal perspective to living wisely. While even the child of God who lives wisely and heeds the voice of his father may perish at a young age, yet he will live forever because of Christ. Not to take this passage out of context, but the idea is without a doubt true. As Paul said, "for me to die is gain."
And furthermore, the one who lives wisely enjoys "the peace of God, which passes all understanding." Wars may come and go. Houses may get robbed. Enemies may oppress, but one may have peace in Christ Jesus that is real and lasting.
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