Proverbs 2

CHAPTER 2

Moral Benefits of Wisdom (2:1–22)

1–8 The writer continues to speak to the reader as a father speaks to his son, or a teacher speaks to his disciple (verse 1). In these verses, the writer promises that if we diligently seek wisdom, we shall find it (Matthew 7:7–8); indeed, we shall find something better than wisdom—namely, God Himself (Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13). Wisdom leads us to God because God is the source of wisdom; He is the Giver of wisdom (verse 6), and He gives it freely to those who ask for it in faith (James 1:5–6). Notice the paradox here: we must diligently store up God’s commands (verse 1), we must “apply” our heart⁹ to understanding (verse 2), we must cry aloud for understanding (wisdom) and search for it (verses 3–4); then, when we have done all that, wisdom will be given to us as a gift! This is God’s way: we ask, He gives; we knock, He opens; we obey, He blesses.¹⁰

Notice in verse 5 that those who have wisdom will understand what it means to fear the Lord—to submit to Him (see Proverbs 1:7 and comment); they will also find the knowledge of God. This is not just knowledge about God: this is knowledge of God, knowing God personally. When we know God in this way, we will fear Him, submit to Him and obey Him. This is the knowledge of God that leads to SALVATION and ETERNAL LIFE (see John 17:3; Philippians 3:10–11).

The wisdom of God—true knowledge and understanding—comes from his mouth¹¹ (verse 6). We receive God’s wisdom primarily through His “mouth,” through His written word.¹² We are aided in our understanding of God’s word both by the Holy Spirit and by Spirit-filled teachers. But God’s basic wisdom—all the wisdom we need to live godly and blessed lives—is contained within His written word, the Bible. As we follow God’s word, He holds victory in store for us (verse 7), and He guards us on our way and protects us from evil¹³ (verse 8).

9–11 Here the writer promises us that if we know the Lord—if we possess His wisdom—then we will know what path to follow in life. We will know what course of action to take in each situation we face. We will be able to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12–14).

12–15 In these verses, the writer gives the first of two examples of the kinds of evil that may entice us as we go through life: here the enticement is from wicked men (verse 12), men who are devious, whose paths are crooked (verse 14), whose words are perverse (deceitful, corrupt). Perverse words come from a perverse heart; our words are an expression of what is within us (see Matthew 12:3335). Such perverse and wicked people walk in dark ways (verse 13); they try to hide their true nature, and thus deceive those without wisdom. They hide in the darkness so that their evil deeds will not be exposed (John 3:19–20).

16–19 The second example of enticement the writer gives us is that of an immoral woman—in this case a wife who has become an adulteress (verse 16). She has left the partner of her youth (her husband); she has ignored her marriage covenant with her husband (verse 17) and also Israel’s COVENANT with God (Exodus20:14). She is seductive (verse 16); she promises pleasure but delivers death (verse 18). To follow after such a woman—or any kind of immoral woman—is to join the spirits of the dead, that is, deceased souls, inhabitants of the grave. For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

20–22 The writer promises God’s covenant blessings to those who keep to the paths of the righteous (verse 20): they will live in the (promised) land (verse 21). But the wicked—those who have rejected wisdom—will be cut off from the land and from God’s blessing (verse 22).