13 Happy is the man that
findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the
merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain
thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the
things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of
days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her
ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a
tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that
retaineth her. 19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by
understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the
depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. (Prov
3:13-20)
There is one aspect of wisdom that is seldom noted – that is, wisdom brings
happiness and joy. The world most often seems to turn to the wise
decision reluctantly and with dread. It seems that the world feels that wisdom
is a governor against their happy endeavors, but those endeavors that the world
believes will lead to happiness most often carry a heavy cost that will leave
the worldly man in rags and poverty of joy. 13 Happy is the man
that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
The discovery of true wisdom does not occur from a casual observation – true
wisdom must be sought out as a diamond in the stones of the earth. Once found,
after much seeking, the result will always bring joy. There seems to me
to be at least two reasons for the happiness that comes with the discovery of
wisdom: 1) When we have diligently searched out a gem of great value, we are
always elated at its discovery. The same is true of the wisdom we glean
(not causally harvest) from the pages of God's Word. 2) We are already familiar
with wisdom and are glad that we recognize it even if in the rough-hewn stones
of law and righteousness. Having possessed a single gem of wisdom we are driven
to further mining of it to possess more of this valuable gift of God.
What is the merchandise of wisdom? It is rare in its enduring peace and
satisfaction conveyed to its owner, and it is more solid than fine gold and
silver. It is the coinage of the realm of Heaven, and is accepted at all
exchanges in the world. It is the reward of duty well performed and honestly
executed before the Lord. The conscience is made at ease through wisdom. Like
gold and silver, wisdom is refined in the heart of man many times over in its
perfection. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the
merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Its value is not EQUAL to gold and silver, but BETTER than! Gold and silver
will not bring peace of mind to the greedy merchant – wisdom WILL!
I need not point out to the perceptive reader that Wisdom is made reference to
in the feminine gender. Like the perfect lady, Wisdom is gentle, undemanding,
earnest, diligent, generous, productive, and beautiful. We will study this
characteristic in the famous description of the "Proverbs 31 Woman." 15 She
is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be
compared unto her. This is the same description given for a
"virtuous woman" in Proverbs 31:10. It is not coincidental. When I
was a young boy, the schools of the old South still taught manners, etiquette,
and virtuous demeanor to young girls. How I long to have such discretion in
education return to public education, but I fear it is lost forever except to
dedicated home-schoolers. When a young man of character meets and falls in love
with a virtuous woman, his conduct and manners will be curbed by her virtuous
refinement. He will love her beyond any worldly treasure and would literally
lay down his life for her. Her value is far above rubies. Why is the ruby red
gem referred to here? Because, unlike a diamond whose beauty is dependent upon
the reflected outside light source, the beauty of the Ruby is intrinsic to its
inner being. The scarlet color represents sacrifice and love. These are
properties that can be purchased at no currency.
The person of wisdom will be wise in all things, including hygiene, diet and
daily constitution. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and
in her left hand riches and honour. Wisdom is the treasure
with which all other treasures can be purchased. But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you. (Matt 6:33) The greatest wisdom of all
is to know God. Having the first Promise in Wisdom, all other virtuous gifts
will fall to our share. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but
godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now
is, and of that which is to come. (1 Tim 4:8)
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
What does Wisdom offer as a destiny? Is it not the home of the weary pilgrim
beyond Jordan Waters? They we plod as pilgrims through the unfriendly
wilderness, are our steps not glad since each brings us closer to our destiny?
When I was a cadet at the Military Academy, I hated the long marches up hill
and mountain as we drew further and further away from our barracks. But when
our march turned back in the direction of home, even though this was the
greatest distance between us and that home of the entire march, our steps
became light and lively in contemplation of the coming rest. We were now headed
in the RIGHT direction! The ways of Wisdom are pleasant and peaceful simply
because we are marching in the right direction! It is not religion, but the
lack thereof, that makes man unhappy. Of course that religion must also be the
RIGHT religion of Christ if it is to be authentic. True religion does not
merely look beyond present sufferings to future rewards. The Wisdom of true
religion offers its own joy and reward not only for the future time, but in the
present moment as well. Even our suffering can be a pleasantry when accompanied
by the Wisdom of God.
Wisdom's ways are PLEASANT: Here ways are pleasant because they
are 1) SAFE. It is the very BEST way to travel. The God in
whom we trust neither slumbers nor sleeps. He will direct our footsteps with
the Light of His Word. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto
my path. (Psalms 119:105); they are 2) pleasant ways for
the Godly experiences of love and charity which we have on the way. Those
moments when we have been mean and uncharitable are not memories we cherish.
But those moments when we have shared both love and treasure are significant in
our memories even at the abyss of the grave; they are 3) full of
good works. Our labors of love last forever and mark our course in this
life. Unlike the sand-blown Ozymandias, our monument is an eternal and living
monument of works that last. The way of Wisdom is 4) pleasant to
contemplate for that way is full of hope and contemplation of our
meeting with the angels. We are free of fear because our consciences are clear.
Faith in Christ engenders no fear at all, only hope – it's opposite.
The Way of Wisdom presents us with a Duty: 1) Our duty to
Wisdom is one of Joy! The testimony of joyful believers has a profound
impact on the unbelieving world. Even in adversity, our joy sends out a beam of
light as from a lighthouse, as to the reason for our joy – and that joy is Christ!
The world will note that our joy and pleasure is not inhibited by our religion,
but that our religion is the very source of our joy and pleasure. 2) Our
duty of joy is also for the sake of Christ. Our joy in wisdom honors
our Lord. The heavens rejoice also when our hearts are filled with the joy of
the Lord. 3) Our duty of joy is owing to our own sake. We owe a
debt of joy to ourselves in the faith that has made us free. If we lack joy in
the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord, we are cheating ourselves of a great
benefit. 4) We owe a duty of joy to others around us. If we labor
for a harsh master, our downcast countenance will reflect our misery; but if we
work for the Lord and Master of our souls, our joy must be reflected in a happy
countenance to others. No one will be drawn to labor for a harsh master,
but untold millions will flock to a Master of Love and Forgiveness.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and
happy is every one that retaineth her. Had Mother Eve possessed the
wisdom she should have had, she would have partaken of the Tree of Life and not
the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Wisdom gives joy, vibrancy, and meaning
to life. Without wisdom, life is an empty tomb waiting to be filled.
We next learn that Wisdom is the fuel of Creation itself: 19 The
Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the
heavens. When we observe the perfect symmetry and balance in
nature and in the heavenly bodies, we are forced to admit that a Great
Intelligence had to be behind the plan. That Great Intelligence is God who is
the very Author of Wisdom. He has instilled that wisdom in the daisy flower,
the flowing rivers, the baby colt, and every other of His creatures.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop
down the dew. Not only does God use Wisdom in His Creative
endeavors, but also in sustaining that which He has created. Man cannot
control the fountains of the deep, or the rumblings of earthquakes and
volcanoes. These are left to the sole province of God. Man cannot form dew from
nothing, but God does. Silent and invisible does the dew form on the rose and
the corn. We cannot see its distillation, but we can see its results.
Have you diligently sought after wisdom and knowledge? If not, you may not know
their Author.
