Proverbs: Wisdom from Heaven
This being an election year in this country and in many others, there is an increased need for Christians to have the wisdom of God for themselves. This is true for all of us in any vocation and in every relationship and position. We are all somewhat exposed to the promises, the charges and countercharges, and the propaganda that are around us in an election year. How wonderful that believers in our Lord Jesus Christ can leave all with our God and Father who controls all.
In the Bible, one book clearly stands out which gives us, in words easy to understand, the wisdom which we all need. It is the book of Proverbs. It is good for Christians and indeed for all mankind. In this book we have heavenly wisdom for an earthly pathway. It is a book of ethics.
A proverb is a profitable saying delivered with a moderate concealment of the sense and/or a pithy sentence that in few words expresses much sense.
About Augustus Caesar it is recorded that from certain Latin and Greek authors he wrote out for himself such wholesome precepts as might serve him in either public or private life. If any of us today have the heart to imitate this, Solomon has saved us the labor, for he has put it all (by God's inspiration) in this one book of Proverbs. We must start at the beginning, and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
We find here the best advice that can be given to the President or his counselors, judges, and other public officers, as well as wisdom for every citizen. This book fits every relationship and condition. It directs parents in the training and education of their children, and in the management of family life.
This book of Proverbs instructs a man how to get a good wife, and it guides in choosing friends. It instructs businessmen in their transactions with others. There is wisdom for giving or taking good counsel and reproof, for making or preserving peace, and for judging men and their designs.
Proverbs has instruction for the control of the tongue: "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles." Ch. 21:23. He that is wary and cautious in his talk, thinking seriously before he opens his mouth, and takes care to offend neither God nor man by what he says, preserves his mind from much trouble and distress.
Precepts about well-doing and direction for our whole life are found here. Let us agree to one thing, that this book desires to make these precepts familiar to our minds. "Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman.”
Ch. 7:4. If we do this, we shall not fail to be happy. The sum of all this is in a few words: "Love her [wisdom], and she shall keep thee." Ch. 4:6. Ed.