God's Wisdom | Knowable Word

Satisfaction is God’s Design

September 12, 2025 By Peter Krol

Satisfaction is the fruit of both finding and keeping wisdom. Why?

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding he established the heavens;
By his knowledge the deeps broke open,
And the clouds drop down the dew (Prov 3:19-20).

These two verses form the hinge on which the main point of Prov 3:13-26 swings: God designed the universe by means of wisdom. Wisdom is not an end in itself; it ought to lead us to the Lord and Giver of wisdom. Thus, finding satisfaction in wisdom really means finding satisfaction in the Lord. There are at least three biblical reasons why this point is significant.

1. In creating the world, God demonstrated wisdom.

"The Old World" by Mark H. Evans (2010), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution License — Mark H. Evans (2010), Creative Commons

When God created the world, he set an example for us to follow. He exhibited wisdom then, and he expects us to imitate him now. In particular, Genesis 1 describes how God made a world that was initially dark, shapeless, and empty: “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep” (Gen 1:2). He proceeded to give it light (Gen 1:3, 14), shape (Gen 1:4-10, 17-18), and stuff (Gen 1:11-12, 20-25). After doing so, he made people “in his own image,” expecting them to imitate his model (Gen 1:26-28). It pleases God when we bring the light of truth to the darkness, the shape of organization to the wildness, and the fullness of more worshipers to all the corners of the earth. We can do this personally (as we grow in Christ), corporately (as we join and serve a church), or socially (as we engage the culture or help those in need). Such is wisdom: Follow God’s example.

What does God’s example have to do with satisfaction? We’ve already seen the blessings of finding and keeping wisdom. It will go well for us when we do things God’s way. God demonstrates how life works best. When we imitate him, we reap the satisfying fruit of it. Or, to approach it conversely: If you want to know the right thing to do, you’ll have to go to the Lord to find out what it is. Wisdom pushes us toward the Lord to learn his ways.

For example, many single people seek satisfaction in romance. Since Jesus’ relationship with the Church sets the pattern for all human romance (Eph 5:22-33), finding wisdom in this realm begins with imitating Jesus’ example. That means men must learn to serve others more than themselves (Eph 5:25). They should become mature enough to teach the Bible (Eph 5:26), and influential enough to help others flourish (Eph 5:27). Women will benefit from holding out for such men, so they can have husbands worth following on their journey toward the Lord. I advise singles to habitually imitate Jesus’ character before dating another person. Failing to do so will result in unsatisfying romance, which is worse than having no romance at all.

2. In enthroning mankind, God provided wisdom.

"Plug" by Rob Pongsajapan (2005), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution License — Rob Pongsajapan (2005), Creative Commons

At the end of God’s creating work, he gave humanity the authority to rule the world as his representatives: “Fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over…every living thing” (Gen 1:28). They were to care for and protect God’s possessions with love and respect: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen 2:15). When God entrusted people with this task, he did not leave them ill-equipped. He gave them everything they needed: clear instructions (Gen 1:28, 2:16-17), nutrition (Gen 1:29-30), hydration (Gen 2:10-14), aesthetics (Gen 2:9: “every tree that is pleasant to the sight”), and life (Gen 2:7). He even spelled out the consequences of failure so they’d know what to expect: “in the day that you eat of [the tree of the knowledge of good and evil] you shall surely die” (Gen 2:17). In short, he gave them both the knowledge of what to do, and the resources to carry it out. He built wisdom right into the world so they could download it into their hearts. Such is wisdom: Receive God’s help.

What does God’s empowerment have to do with satisfaction? God’s gift to the wise is not only the strength to make wise choices, but also the satisfaction found in doing so. (See Ecc 5:18-20.) If you need strength to do what God wants you to do, you’ll have to seek God to get it. He is the giver of instruction and ability. Wisdom pushes us toward the Lord to receive his power for living.

Let’s say you have a history of unwise dating relationships. You can’t resist a nice body or an attentive ear. You get the attention you desire, but you desire more of it all the time. Because you haven’t learned self-control and self-sacrifice, you can’t keep your lips or hands off your partner. You feel guilty every time you cross the line, but you can see your resolve weakening. You know what Jesus wants you to do. You know what he would do in your place. It’s just so hard to do it yourself. What hope is there that you can find and keep wisdom, and be satisfied in doing so?

Know that if you trust in Jesus, his Spirit is within you. He is at work in you to carry out his will. He can make you more faithful and selfless than you thought possible. His example might encourage you, but his indwelling power provides you with the strength to change. Stop making excuses. Ask him for help, and believe that he can give it.

3. In redeeming all things, God became wisdom.

God’s example and God’s empowerment are wonderful things, but they are not enough to satisfy us with wisdom. If God merely demonstrated and disbursed wisdom, it would be bad news for sinful people; God’s example would crush us, and his empowerment would condemn us. So he didn’t leave it there.

So in addition, he became wisdom for us. The eternal God entered the world as a man, Jesus Christ, and he did for us what we could not do for ourselves: find and keep wisdom. He showed us wisdom, he gave us wisdom, and best of all, he became our wisdom (1 Cor 1:30).

Jesus lived without a trace of foolishness and should have been rewarded with long life, riches, honor, pleasantness, and peace. However, consider what he got:

"At the cross I bow my knee" by Demi-Brooke (2009), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution License — Demi-Brooke (2009), Creative Commons

Instead of gaining long life, he died a premature death in our place.
Instead of keeping riches (a close relationship with God), he was abandoned on the cross by his heavenly Father.
Instead of receiving honor, he experienced great shame in the physical nakedness of his crucifixion and the spiritual darkness of his substitution when he became sin for us.
Instead of finding pleasantness (a straight path to God), he was cut off from fellowship with the one he loved most.
Instead of enjoying peace, he was attacked by God and men.

Yet in dying our death, he brought us life: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). After God accepted Jesus’ sacrificial death on our behalf, he raised Jesus up:

He came back from the dead, acquiring an indestructible life.
His relationship with God (true riches) was restored, and he took his seat at God’s right hand.
His shame gave way to unprecedented honor, for every knee will bow at his name.
The pleasantness (unhindered straightness) of his way to God was restored. And this restoration is not just for him, but also for all who love him.
As was foretold at his birth, he brought glory to God in heaven and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.

In short, Jesus lived wisely, and we could not; so he took our place. Upon doing so, he suffered the consequences of our foolishness, so that we who are fools could reap the satisfying rewards of his wisdom. Such is wisdom: Accept God’s rescue.

This post was first published in 2013 and is part of a series walking through Proverbs 1-9.

Wisdom in Disappointment

June 13, 2025 By Peter Krol

My dear mother gave birth to me to me only a few weeks after Christmas in the middle of the Carter administration. And I’m the type of person who really, really enjoys getting gifts. These two ingredients mixed themselves into a toxic brew of the most disappointing kind, because, for most of my childhood, friends and relatives would give me only one (1) present – to cover two holidays – sometime during the first week of January. They’d accompany the present with a pacifying sentiment like “I hope you enjoy this Christmas/birthday gift!” But Christmas had already come and gone without any word from such interested parties. The day of my birth likewise came and went without fanfare. From the beginning, my life was designed to disappoint.

"Gift" by asenat29 (2006), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution License — “Gift” by asenat29 (2006), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution License

Disappointment saturates our fallen existence. Some disappointments are relatively minor, like having your birthday forgotten or discovering concert tickets are sold out. Other disappointments, like receiving a notification of divorce, suffering a debilitating accident, or losing a child, might plague us for decades. Whatever the situation, God the Father is always present, using our disappointment to draw us closer to him. The way of wisdom leads through disappointment and on toward the Lord.

How Disappointment Works

Before we dig into the text of Proverbs 3:1-12, we must understand how disappointment works.

We feel disappointed when our expectations are not met. Sometimes we lose what we expected to keep. Sometimes we miss what we expected to gain. At other times we experience something we expected to avoid. Expectations infiltrate our motivations, and they come with a price tag: our happiness. They dash our hopes. They convert healthy relationships into needy ones, and they make people bitter and irritable.

Maybe you expected to enjoy your job more than you do. Maybe you expected your parents to respect you as an adult. Maybe you thought church would be more exciting, or that marriage would solve your lust problem. Maybe you expected to be financially stable by now. Maybe you just hoped to get noticed every once in a while.

In short, you wanted something, but didn’t get it (or you liked something but lost it). You feel disappointed.

Two Ways to Handle Disappointment

When unmet expectations produce disappointment, we need a way to cope. Most people take their disappointment in one of two unhelpful directions: either in & down or out & around.

"Spiral Staircase" by Roberto Verzo (2010), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution license — “Spiral Staircase” by Roberto Verzo (2010), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution license

1) Those who take disappointment in & down tend to see themselves as the source of the problem. Perhaps, they reason, their expectations were too high. They mentally relive the situation and assume it won’t get any better. They might lower their expectations to avoid further disappointment, even to the point of losing hope. These people might believe God is disappointed with them for failing him. They feed the downward & inward spiral until they bottom out in full-fledged depression. They read passages like Proverbs 3:1-12, but refuse to get their hopes up. So they always go back to Job and focus there, because that’s how life really is.

For example, if your friends forget your birthday, and if you take your disappointment inward, you might begin to assume that nobody will ever remember your birthday. You don’t want to be a burden to people, so you say nothing about it. You lower your expectations to the point where you’re surprised and uncomfortable if your birthday comes up in conversation. You begin thinking of God as a distant authority figure. He’ll let you into heaven because he has to, but he’s pretty discouraged by what he ended up with when you became a Christian. As God and men continue to disregard you, you get even more discouraged, justifying your hopelessness. You’re trapped in a heartbreaking cycle.

2) Those who take disappointment out & around tend to blame others for causing the problem. They pity themselves and expect others to join the party. They might attack those whom they perceive to be the offenders, by complaining, scolding, or sucking the life out of them until they change. They’re difficult to work with because they always have a critical remark or a better idea. These people might believe God is against them and has failed them. They feed their disapproval until they gain a reputation for anger and aggression.

For example, in season one of Downton Abbey, Downton Village prepares for its annual flower show. The Grantham Cup is supposed to go to the “finest blooms” at the show, but the Dowager Countess of Grantham (played expertly by Dame Maggie Smith) has won the cup as long as can be remembered. The Countess’s flowers are clearly inferior to those of the aging commoner Mr. Molesley, but she has used her title and prestige to pressure the judges for so long that she’s certain to win again. She’s become so skilled at enforcing her expectation of victory that she doesn’t even realize when she’s doing it. Only when she chooses to deny herself and award the trophy to Mr. Molesley, does she handle her own expectations in a non-abusive manner.

We get trapped in these two spirals (in & down, out & around) all the time, and there’s no end in sight. But, God enters our disappointment to break the cycles. He helps us to look up & over our disappointment that we might see him, our loving father.

Jesus Enters Our Disappointment

We feel disappointed when our expectations are not met, and then we tend to blame either others or ourselves. But God came to earth to rescue us from slavery to disappointment.

"Cemetery Cross" by Joel Kramer (2011), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution license — “Cemetery Cross” by Joel Kramer (2011), shared under a Creative Commons Attribution license

He sent his Son, Jesus, to live among us and experience our disappointment. The night Jesus was betrayed, he expressed his great disappointment to his closest companions: “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death…My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me…[Friends,] could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matt 26:38-40). On the cross, his disappointment climaxed: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46).

But Jesus’ disappointment didn’t turn him away from his Father. He didn’t blame himself for expecting too much from a dark, dark world. He didn’t bend the situation to his own will, coming down from the cross or calling platoons of angels to fight for him. No, rather than running away from God, Jesus let his disappointment bring him closer to God. His dying words were: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

As Hebrews puts it, Jesus was a son who “learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Heb 5:8-9). In other words, because Jesus drew close to God through his suffering and disappointment, he opened the way for you and me to do the same. He died to bring us salvation, and he lives to bring us close to the Father, despite our disappointment. But how?

Next week, we dive into Proverbs 3:1-12 which will help us along the way.

This post was first published in 2013 and is part of a series walking through Proverbs 1-9.

The First Result of Listening to Wisdom

May 2, 2025 By Peter Krol

“Education” by edenpictures (2009), shared under Creative Commons Attribution License

If we passively receive and actively seek wisdom, then two things will happen: We’ll start being wise, and we’ll keep becoming wiser. Solomon explains these two results and gives the rationale for each. This week, we’ll cover just the first one.

“Then you will understand the fear of the LORD
And find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Guarding the paths of justice
And watching over the way of his saints.” (Prov 2:5-8)

You’ll start being wise. Verse 5 states that “you will understand the fear of the Lord.” This concept ought to be familiar from Prov 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Remember that the fear of the Lord is the very first step on the path of wisdom. Solomon now promises that listening to wisdom will result in the fear of the Lord. Therefore, if we listen to wisdom, we will begin the journey of wisdom.

Though this point may seem obvious, it nevertheless is crucial. Wisdom is not something that just happens as we live life. It doesn’t come automatically with status, education, experience, age, or leadership position. We must receive it and seek it in order to gain it. We must admit we don’t have it before we can possess it. We confess we can’t see it so we might somehow perceive it. When it is weak, it is strongest. It rises from lowliness.

Why is this the case? Because “the Lord gives wisdom” (Prov 2:6). It comes from his mouth and not our own (Prov 2:6). It dwells in his storehouse, and he loves to dole it out liberally (Prov 2:7). He is our shield; we can’t protect ourselves (Prov 2:7). He wants us to trust him for all things, including wisdom. Thus, to become wise we must grow closer to the giver of wisdom. That’s why I previously defined “the wise” as “those who are moving toward the Lord.”

Do you want to become wise? Draw near to the Lord and listen.

A Major Theme in Scripture

So listening to wisdom will make you wise. Duh.

Believe it or not, this idea is a major theme in the Bible. Adam and Eve woefully trusted themselves and not God for wisdom (Gen 3:6), and that choice initiated all our troubles. Ever since, God has graciously intervened, directing his people back to Himself (and away from themselves), as their confidence. For example, after Abram defeated the four most powerful kings of his day, the Lord appeared to him in a vision and said, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great” (Gen 15:1).

When Jacob had to run for his life, God appeared to him in a dream and said, “I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you” (Gen 28:15). It took Jacob a bit of time to get it, but eventually he did, as is clear from his declaration to his wives: “Your father does not regard me with favor as he did before, but the God of my father has been with me” (Gen 31:5).

Jesus targeted his own mission to those who knew they needed him and were willing to draw near to him. He built intimacy with and gave his wisdom to those who were spiritually:

“Scenes from Mgona” by khym54 (2007), shared under Creative Commons Attribution License

Sick: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
Poor: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3).
Small: “He who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48).
Lost: “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

He came to humble the proud (Luke 1:51) and to blind those who see (John 9:39), so they might come to him (Matt 11:25-30). Those who thought they didn’t need him did nothing and ruined everything.

To summarize Solomon’s argument so far (Prov 2:1-8): If you listen to God’s wisdom, you will become wise because God wants you to depend on him for all things.

This post was first published in 2012 and is part of a series walking through Proverbs 1-9.

Wisdom Ought to be Attractive

November 29, 2024 By Peter Krol

When we hope in the right person, and listen to his instruction often, we should expect others to be attracted to do the same. Why wouldn’t they be? God is giving us garlands and pendants.

For they are a graceful garland to your head
And pendants for your neck (Prov 1:9).

My beautiful wife Erin doesn’t wear a lot of jewelry, but she does have that one pearl necklace for special occasions. I won’t go into too much detail about it, but hooo boy!

close up photo of woman wearing beaded white pearl necklace — Photo by Rene Terp on Pexels.com

Wisdom’s Powerful Influence

True wisdom is attractive. It is like jewelry that beautifies. It attracts others by holding up the beauty and blessings of wisdom’s path. If we are truly becoming wise, then others around us should see that wisdom and be drawn to it. You can’t keep it to yourself.

For example, I have been involved in churches where the elders are such wise and godly leaders that I make up stuff to talk about just so that I can be around them and learn from them! When I see a group of people loitering with one of those elders, I find a way to get myself in on that conversation because I know that “pearls of wisdom” will drip from his lips, sneak into my ears, and infiltrate my heart. I will become a better person simply by hanging out with those who are really wise.

Unfortunately there are often times when we (even as leaders, teachers, and parents) truly love Jesus but have stopped listening to him regularly and thus have little influence in the lives of others. Maybe we go into lecture mode and fail to draw others out (Jas 1:19-21). Perhaps we think people ought to pay attention to us because of our leadership position, when the Bible says real influence flows from our wise and godly character (1 Cor 10:32-11:1; Phm 8-10). Maybe we’ve plateaued in our walk with Christ, and we are no longer growing in wisdom. Whatever the issue is, we haven’t made the effort to become biblically wise, and then we wonder why no one listens to our opinions or why our children rebel.

Wisdom’s Attractive Influence

The greatest struggles in my marriage usually center on money issues. In our best moments, when we acquire some unexpected funds, my gut instinct is to give them away, and Erin’s gut instinct is to save them for the future (especially for our children). Both instincts are biblically informed and reasonably selfless. Yet every time the situation arises, we must make a decision on what to do. How should we go about it?

One way I could do it is to make a power play. “Well Darling, I’m the head of this household. So here is what I think we should do….” I’ve tried this method before, but it rarely results in the swoons and contented sighs I expect. Nor has she said, “I’m so glad to have such a wise husband to make these difficult decisions for me.” But other tactics have been more helpful.

I try to listen to her: “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (Pr 18:13).
I attempt to draw out her concerns: “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” (Pr 20:5).
I consider first how I need to change before we can make a good decision on this issue: “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Pr 26:12).
I seek to approach any faulty thinking I see in her in a way that lowers her defenses rather than raising them. This tactic requires me to know what serves her: “A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle” (Pr 18:19). For Erin, this means that I introduce any criticism with “I love you, and it’s just a small thing, but…”
In the rare cases when I have actually followed through on these wise principles, she usually wants to follow my lead! “They are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck” (Pr 1:9).

If you are a parent or leader of any sort, would you prefer for your children, students, or congregation members to follow your influence only when they have no other option, and then pull away from you once they do? Or would you prefer for them to be so attracted to the godly wisdom they find in you that they’re always coming back for more?

Let’s commit to trusting in Christ, seeking him daily, and transforming our world for his glory.

This post was first published in 2012.

Beginning the Path of Wisdom

October 18, 2024 By Peter Krol

Why is it so difficult for me to arrive home from work at the time I promised to my wife? I love her passionately, and I have no intention to deceive or discourage her. Yet I persistently fail to arrive on time. Not only that, but every time I do it, I have a really good reason. “I was wrapped up in this significant project that had to get completed before I left the office.” Or, “I was having a very fruitful counseling meeting, and I couldn’t just cut it short.” Or, I can achieve ultimate vindication with: “You’re rarely on time when I’m waiting for you.”

man facing road — Photo by Sharefaith on Pexels.com

The one thing that I find most excruciating is simply to admit, “I should have set aside what I was doing and returned home on time for dinner. Will you please forgive me? Can you also please help me figure out how I could make a better choice next time?” It feels so right to make my excuses. But when I make excuses, I am not fearing the Lord; therefore, I am not acting wisely.

One thing we can be certain of, from both Scripture and experience, is that we are sinners by nature, and thus prone to play the fool. We need to be rescued. We are selfish blame shifters who will stop at no length to justify our own choices and values. This habit is the essence of folly. If we hope to be wise, we must tread a different path. In fact, we cannot be wise until we do.

In the last few Proverbs posts, we pieced together a definition of wisdom: a continual striving to know and do what the Bible says. In the next few posts, we’ll consider three things that enable us to begin this journey of wisdom. First, hope in the right thing: the Good News of Jesus, not your own goodness (Prov 1:7). Second, do the right thing: listen to the Lord, not your own heart (Prov 1:8). Third, help others do the right thing: be an agent of godly influence, not another boring authority figure (Prov 1:9).

This post was first published in 2012.

Proverbs Purpose #3: To Live Wisely

September 27, 2024 By Peter Krol

To receive instruction in wise dealing,
In righteousness, justice, and equity (Prov 1:3, ESV)

We’ve already seen that the first purpose of Proverbs is to know wisdom, and the second is to recognize those who speak it. Solomon’s third purpose now gets very practical.

We are not simply to know true facts about God, people, or the world. It also is not sufficient that we be capable of pointing out actual examples of wisdom or foolishness in the culture around us. Rather, we must be people who live out of the wisdom given to us.

Where verse 2 focuses on the mental component of wisdom, verse 3 focuses on the moral component of wisdom. Wisdom that remains in the realm of ideas, factoids, or experiential principles is not truly wisdom. It must instead seep out of our fingertips and infect everything we do. It translates to action (wise dealing): doing the right thing before God (righteousness), responding appropriately to circumstances (justice), and treating other people without favoritism (equity).

man standing while facing concrete buildings — Photo by Adil Alimbetov on Pexels.com

Taking what God teaches us and putting it into practice is a major theme throughout Scripture. Prior to Solomon’s day, Moses and David had already declared it.

Moses: “Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them [the commandments], that it may go well with you” (Deut 6:3).

David: “O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:1-2)

After Solomon’s day, the New Testament epistles frequently repeat it. For example:

Paul: “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified” (Rom 2:13).

Author of Hebrews: “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb 5:14).

James: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

Peter: “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:13-15).

John: “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

Most importantly of all, it was a central theme of Jesus’ teaching.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt 7:24).

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46).

In every one of these verses, notice how God expects his people not only to know the truth, but also to put it into practice. The measure of wisdom is found in its follow-through.

Are you becoming a different person based on the truth you hear from the Bible? Can you pinpoint things you have addressed and grown in over the last year? Are there character issues you would like to tackle in the coming year? Would others who know you well say that you make wiser decisions now than you used to? Are you more pleasant, more insightful, more honorable, and more Christ-like than ever before?

Let’s add this new factor to our definition of wisdom. We must take into account both knowing and doing the truth.

Wisdom is:

Knowing the right thing to do in any particular situation.
Recognizing those who promote the right thing to do.
Doing it.

This post was first published in 2012.

Proverbs Purpose #2: To Recognize Those Who Speak Wisdom

September 20, 2024 By Peter Krol

To understand words of insight (Prov 1:2)

Before we examine this statement further, a brief explanation of Hebrew poetry is in order. The Old Testament poets chiefly relied on a literary device called parallelism, which means that each unit of thought (usually one verse) contains two or more short lines that generally say either a similar thing or a different thing.^[1] The poet’s intention is for the lines to be compared with each other in order to arrive at their meaning. As Waltke states, “Proverbs cannot be interpreted correctly without asking the question: ‘How are the versets [the two lines] related to one another?’”^[2] Thus the reader should be careful not to force the lines apart and interpret them each in isolation (we’ll especially see the impact of this method when we reach verse 7).

So in Proverbs 1:2, we have two parallel lines that say similar things:

To know wisdom and instruction,
To understand words of insight.

The first half of the verse focuses on the abstract concept of wisdom; Solomon wants us to recognize certain facts as containing “wisdom.” The second half of the verse focuses on the concrete communication of wisdom; Solomon wants us to recognize, in any given interaction with other people, whether they are speaking words of wisdom or not.

love is all you need signage — Photo by Jacqueline Smith on Pexels.com

For example, when you see an advertisement on television, is it commending some wise behavior to you, or is it simply playing on your anxiety or passions in order to make a buck? When you speak with a friend, should you take her advice on a matter or respectfully decline it? As you sit in your class, can you tell whether the instructor is speaking truth in line with God’s perspective, or merely soliciting your servile obeisance to folly through bombastically sesquipedalian obfuscation? (In other words, is the prof leading you astray by impressing you with big words?)

In short, Solomon aims to equip us first to know what is wise and what is foolish so we can then identify whether a particular person in a particular situation is communicating wisdom or foolishness to us. In other words, he wants to train people to know wisdom.

Wisdom is: Knowing whether any particular counsel is the right thing to do in any particular situation.

^[1]I intend this as a gross oversimplification to keep things simple. For a far more nuanced discussion of Hebrew parallelism, see this article by Jeff Benner.

^[2]Waltke, Proverbs 1-15, p.45.

This post was first published in 2012.

Proverbs Purpose #1: To Know Wisdom

September 13, 2024 By Peter Krol

“Why should I read this book?” is what’s on my mind any time a friend recommends a book to me. I’m busy enough already, and I hear more recommendations than I know what to do with. Solomon knows my pain. He cares, and right up front he gives us reason to care about his book. In the next few Proverbs posts we’ll examine Solomon’s five purposes for writing Proverbs, and along the way we’ll piece together a definition of wisdom from each building block. As we progress, we’ll see why we should care about wisdom as much as Solomon does.

To begin with, observe the five-fold repetition of the word “to” in Prov 1:2-7. Solomon completes his sentence from the first verse: “The proverbs of Solomon … (are) to know wisdom (Prov 1:2), to understand words of insight (Prov 1:2), to receive instruction (Prov 1:3), to give prudence (Prov 1:4-5), and to understand a proverb (Prov 1:6).” By means of these “to” phrases, Solomon lists his reasons for writing.

person holding opened book — Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

To Know Wisdom and Instruction (Prov 1:2a)

The first use of “to” is found in the first half of Prov 1:2. Solomon writes these proverbs so we might “know wisdom and instruction.” He wants to communicate facts about topics such as God, people, and the world, in order to equip us to believe the truth and reject error.

For example, is God near to us or far from us (Prov 3:32-35)? Can we expect him to care about our lives or not (Prov 16:9, 20:24)? Is he trustworthy (Prov 3:5-6), righteous (Prov 15:9), and just (Prov 29:26)?

What about people? How do we persuade them to believe the truth about God (Prov 16:23)? How do we interact with others who are as selfish and arrogant as we ourselves are (Prov 18:1)? If I love God, what should my business practices (Prov 16:11), love life (Prov 22:14), and social activism (Prov 28:27) look like? How do people change (Prov 4:23)?

In addition, there is the world. What is a godly perspective on animal rights (Prov 12:10)? How can I skillfully use the resources given to me by God to develop and produce more (Prov 14:4), without just destroying what I’ve already got (Prov 21:20)? What perspective should I have toward material goods (Prov 3:9-10)?

Knowing wisdom and instruction involves much more than the ability to answer these questions correctly on a test. We must be able to translate these objective truths into the choices of every moment. We do that by first believing these truths, and then insightfully applying them in any specific situation. For example, anyone with a smattering of biblical education can answer the question “can God do all things” (Prov 16:9)? However, when the little ones are frightened by a thunder storm, a wise parent will confidently connect their experience with the truth: “Pray with me, Bobby: Jesus, please help. I’m scared. Thank you for taking care of me. Amen.”

Remember that proverbs deal with the mundane and messy details of life. Their intention is not only to load us with doctrines or ethical ideals. Rather, they aim to connect those doctrines and ethical ideals with the day-to-day situations we face. Therefore from this first purpose we can unravel the first part of Solomon’s definition of wisdom.

Wisdom is: Knowing the right thing to do in any particular situation.

This post was first published in 2012.

Proverbs: Author

August 9, 2024 By Peter Krol

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel (Prov 1:1).

Who better to comment on the details of earthly existence than Solomon, the son of David, the king of Israel? As the man Solomon, he had exceptional God-given insight and understanding. As the son of David, he had the promise of a kingdom for God, a special relationship with God, and steadfast love from God. As the king of Israel, he had both power and unparalleled wealth. These three resources – God’s wisdom, God’s promise, and great wealth – made Solomon uniquely qualified to compose proverbs.

Image generated using Jetpack AI Assistant from the prompt crown on a pile of gold coins and books

1. God’s Wisdom (“Solomon”)

Solomon asked God for “an understanding mind to govern” God’s people so he could “discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9), and the Lord promised to honor Solomon’s request (1 Kings 3:12). On account of his wise judgment, all Israel “stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice” (1 Kings 3:28).

Solomon’s God-given wisdom surpassed that of all the sages of the East and of Egypt (1 Kings 4:29-31). This means he was smarter than Confucius and cleverer than the Buddha. He spoke 3,000 proverbs (about 900 of which are in the book of Proverbs), and his songs were 1,005 (1 Kings 4:32). He spoke of many details of life, such as trees, birds, reptiles, and fish (1 Kings 4:33). International students from every corner of the globe competed for a seat in his classroom (1 Kings 4:34). Solomon was both more prolific and more elegant than any other scholar of his day because he had direct access to the mind of the Lord of heaven and earth.

2. God’s Promise (“Son of David”)

The Lord himself promised to build up and sustain Solomon in his wisdom. First, he promised him a kingdom. Speaking to Solomon’s father David, God said, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom” (2 Samuel 7:12). Second, he promised to have a special relationship with Solomon: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him” (2 Samuel 7:14). Third, he promised to love him to the end: “My steadfast love will not depart from him” (2 Samuel 7:15).

Notice how these first two resources (God’s wisdom and God’s promise) are connected. Solomon could have all the wisdom in the world, but without the promise of God to sustain him, it would all be for naught. Imagine studying for a test. You can learn every fact and formula. You could even memorize a transcript of every word your teacher spoke in class. These actions might impart wisdom to you. But if you get no sleep the night before the exam, you will have no power or ability to recall and apply everything you learned. So God’s wisdom gave Solomon the raw insight he needed, and God’s promise gave Solomon the beautiful power of follow-through.

3. Great Wealth (“King of Israel”)

King Solomon had an annual income of 666 talents of gold (1 Kings 10:14). (This amount only takes into account his base salary; adding in tax revenue and investment income would push the figure even higher. See 1 Kings 10:15.) Translated into modern American currency, Solomon’s annual income was in excess of $1.5 billion.^[1] To put this figure into perspective, note that Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo (the world’s highest paid athlete) made only $260 million in 2024. In fact, the top 10 highest paid athletes combined still didn’t make as much in a year as King Solomon. It would be difficult to find anyone in our generation comparable to Solomon in his wealth.

The point of this little economics lesson: What could you do with all that capital? If Solomon lacked for anything, he could acquire it. If he wanted to try something out, it was his. He had access to the best technology, education, public safety, athletics, arts & entertainment, food, hobbies, and service that the world could offer him. Whatever his eyes desired, he did not keep from them.^[2] Solomon explored every aspect of the created world with his wisdom, and he carefully examined it for every ounce of value. He now provides his experience—both positive and negative—of every delightful thing in a collection of wise sayings.

In conclusion, Solomon was abundantly qualified to take on the role of the sage of Israel and of the world. He had every possible resource at his disposal, and God gave him both the insight and the power to evaluate it wisely. His credentials are sufficient to the task of imparting wisdom.

^[1]Some readers won’t be able to hear anything else I write until they know how I arrived at this figure. This footnote is just for you. The New Bible Dictionary (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1962), p.1234 states that 1 ancient talent equals approximately 30 modern kilograms. Therefore, 666 talents = 19,980 kg. On August 8, 2024, 24-karat gold was worth USD $77,451/kilo. Therefore, 19,980 kg of 24-karat gold = $1.55 billion. (Affiliate link)

^[2]Ecclesiastes 2:10. Even if, as some claim, Solomon were not “the Preacher” of Ecclesiastes, it would appear that the Preacher at least aims to connect his spiritual authority with Solomon’s reputation (see Ecclesiastes 1:1).

Proverbs: A Journey in the Right Direction

July 19, 2024 By Peter Krol

With its intensely practical insight, Proverbs tends to be a fan-favorite Old Testament book, included along with the Psalms in the Gideons’ infamous pocket New Testaments. Who doesn’t enjoy having a book of the Bible where they can turn to almost any page to find nuggets of advice directly applicable to nearly anyone, anywhere? But if we step back to examine the book as a whole, its overall argument may help us to read each portion of it more carefully.

Literary Markers

Proverbs explicitly marks off its major divisions with a series of headings:

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel – Prov 1:1
The proverbs of Solomon – Prov 10:1
The words of the wise – Prov 22:17
These also are sayings of the wise – Prov 24:23
Proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied – Prov 25:1
The words of Agur son of Jakeh – Prov 30:1
The word’s of King Lemuel’s mother – Prov 31:1

A cursory glance at each of the divisions shows that the poems in Prov 1-9 are rather lengthy, with some filling a full chapter. The “proverbs” in Prov 10-22 and Prov 25-29 are almost completely made up of pithy, one-verse sayings. The “words” and “sayings” of Prov 22:17-24:22, 24:23-34, 30:1-33, and 31:1-31 consist primarily of brief 3- or 4-verse stanzas (the chief exception being the longer poem on the excellent wife in Prov 31:10-31). These differences in poetic device suggest slightly different reading strategies for each division of the book.

Let’s walk through these divisions.

Building the House

In chapters 1 through 9, wisdom builds her house (Prov 9:1). The long poems in these chapters lay the groundwork for the rest of the book by explaining what wisdom is, how to get it, what will prevent a person from getting it, and blessings and curses of finding it/not finding it. These concepts provide the structure of thought within which the rest of the book is to be interpreted.

The introductory poem (Prov 1:2-7) reveals the purpose of the book, which is to impart wisdom—defined as a journey in the right direction: toward Yahweh and away from oneself. Solomon then introduces the first archenemy of wisdom—the desire for more stuff (Prov 1:8-19) before describing the consequences of spiritual inertia (Prov 1:20-33). He explains how to become wise (Prov 2) and what to expect when wisdom invades a person’s life (Prov 3-4).

Chapter 5 begins a subsection that draws out, in great detail, the second archenemy of wisdom—the desire for more pleasure (Prov 5, 6:20-35, 7). Tucked inside all the talk about more pleasure is a reflection on three particularly dangerous kinds of fool: the savior, the sluggard, and the sower of discord (Prov 6:1-19).

The frame of wisdom’s house is completed by a celebration of wisdom’s ability to turn nobodies into somebodies (Prov 8), along with a grand opening celebration and invitation to partake of the feast (Prov 9).

Spreading the Feast

The remaining chapters contain the feast of wisdom, spread for those who take up this book and allow it to overtake their thinking and behavior.

The scattershot proverbs of chapters 10-22 and 25-29 must be read within the framework erected in chapters 1-9. Though it may be easy to find practical advice for topics such as financial management, friendship, influence, leadership, and communication, we must be careful not divorce such advice from the fear of Yahweh, which must be the beginning of wisdom. In other words, all such advice is intended to help a person draw closer to Yahweh, receiving counsel from him, and rejecting the seduction of self-love and self-reliance. This advice really works only in a world where its adherents are trusting in a wisdom from above, an alien righteousness, a righteousness that comes through faith.

Why is the practical advice in these chapters so jumbled up, lurching from topic to topic faster than a Narnian chipmunk with ADHD? I don’t know for sure, and perhaps we’ll never know. But I have come to appreciate the educated guess of my seminary professor: Perhaps the book was arranged this way to mimic real life. When do we ever have a day when all we need to think about is money, or a day for friendship, or a day completely for labor? Each minute of our lives jumps from topic to topic, and perhaps Proverbs aims to simulate what it is like to draw near to the Lord in humility and with a teachable heart.

Non-Solomonic Material

If Solomon was the book’s primary editor (besides Hezekiah’s men a few centuries later – Prov 25:1), he wasn’t afraid to include material that wasn’t original to him. When he found instruction consistent with Yahweh’s revelation to Israel, he was more than happy to glean from it all he could.

The “words of the wise” in Prov 22:17-24:22 appear to have particular concern for how wise people contribute to a wise society. The additional “sayings of the wise” (Prov 24:23-34) teach the leaders of God’s people how to execute their responsibilities in a way that reflects God’s character. The words of Agur (Prov 30) draw attention back to first principles, calling us to place our trust in the King of Israel and the Word of God, with full awareness and humility. And the words of King Lemuel (Prov 31) give kings their final marching orders.

The Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This crucial principle of wisdom frames the opening division (Prov 1:7, 9:10). It also makes a return in the closing lines (Prov 31:30). Without the fear of the Lord, a person cannot be wise. And without wisdom, they forfeit all the glorious blessings of wisdom recounted in this book.

So we’d better make sure we understand what the fear of the Lord is. And you won’t understand it if all you do is look up each word in a dictionary.

In Prov 1:7, the fear of the Lord is the contrast to the despising of wisdom and instruction (the thing fools do). In Prov 1:29, the fear of the Lord is the thing fools will never choose. In Prov 8:13, the fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil, especially the rejection of pride and arrogance. In Prov 9:10, the fear of the Lord has to do with the insight one has when he knows the Holy One. In Prov 15:33, the fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom. In Prov 29:25, the fear of the Lord is equated with trust in the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is not meant to be a fuzzy or opaque concept in Proverbs. It simply describes the posture of receiving from God. It is a willful choice to turn away from listening to oneself and toward listening to the Lord. It is the act of receiving instruction from God, instead of being wise in your own eyes. The fear of the Lord is in Proverbs what justification by faith is in Paul’s epistles. This is why Christ had to become our wisdom from God (1 Cor 1:30-31).

Will the posture of your heart be one of receiving from the Lord today? Or will it be one of protecting yourself, promoting yourself, or listening to the world’s enticement to keep following your heart? Proverbs is for you. May it turn you about and set you on a journey in the right direction: away from yourself and toward your Creator, Redeemer, and King, in every area of your life.

For more interpretive walkthroughs of books of the Bible, click here.

This post was first published in 2020.