What our teachers tried to teach us

The book of Proverbs has to do with wisdom. Its concern is not knowledge in the sense of information about the world, but moral insight into life’s deeper issues. Wisdom teaches us how to live so as to escape the follies of a thoughtless life and discover in our day the satisfaction of time well spent. Here in chapter 4 a father spells out to his son the benefits of acquiring wisdom. In verses 4b–11 are listed three of the most important, with the first having to do life itself: “Live by the principles I am teaching you and you will experience life as it is meant to be lived.” Life is not the passing of time, but our opportunity to experience, in the deepest sense, the rewards of living as God desires.
       A second benefit of wisdom is protection, not simply from the dangers connected with living, but from missing out on all that could have been ours if we hadn’t forgotten what we have learned (v. 6). Wisdom has a tendency to be overlooked when some immediate pleasure appears. 
Then in verses 7-9 we see that wisdom desires to honor us – “Cherish her and she will exalt you; embrace her and she will bring you honor.” So, when we focus our energies on becoming wise (i.e., doing the right thing on every occasion) we will (1) discover real life, (2) be protected from all that would harm, and (3) enjoy the honor justly given to the wise.
       Well, that all sounds really good. Let’s just learn from God and we will enjoy the benefits that follow. My question is, “Then, why in fact aren’t we all filled with wisdom?” I believe the answer is that wisdom is not that high a priority for most. The NIV translation of verse 7 is right on target: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom!” The wisest thing a person can do is to determine to become wise. Wisdom isn’t acquired by the passing of time or a laid back approach in the process. Wisdom begins by wanting it.  “Though it cost you all you have,” says the NIV, “get understanding.” 
We admire the athlete who trains for years to compete in the Olympics; should not we put the same dedicated effort into living life as God intended, that is, becoming wise?” Wisdom begins by the desire to be wise and rewards us, as we learned, with life, protection and honor. God’s ways are inevitably the best.