Proverbs 4:1-9

6. Teaching the love of Wisdom 4:1-9

"This chapter is comprised of three discourses on the value of wisdom, each including the motifs of instruction, exhortation, command, and motivation." [Note: Ross, p. 922.]

The first section of verses in this chapter shows how parents can pass along the love of wisdom: mainly by personal influence. Solomon’s instruction here was very positive. Rather than saying, "Don’t do this and that!" which he did elsewhere (cf. Proverbs 3:27-31), he wanted his sons to realize that by heeding his counsel they could find the best life possible. This father structured formal times of instruction for his sons. His is not a bad example for other fathers to follow.

The Hebrew word translated "instruction" (Proverbs 4:2) can also mean "law" (cf. Proverbs 3:1). Normally those who keep God’s commandments live (Proverbs 4:4), but there are exceptions. [Note: R. B. Y. Scott, Proverbs-Ecclesiastes, p. 52.] Nonetheless this is good motivation. One writer paraphrased Proverbs 4:7 a as follows: "What it takes is not brains or opportunity, but decision. Do you want it? Come and get it." [Note: Ibid., p. 67.] The second half of this verse probably means, "Be willing to part with anything else you may have to get understanding."