Pro 3:13 | KingComments | STEP | To respond appropriately to the discipline spoken of in requires wisdom. Discipline or tribulation and wisdom are also linked by James ( ). Knowing wisdom leads to happiness even when there are trials. The wisdom of the world does not give that happiness ( ). Wisdom as the way to happiness is discussed in the section of . This section begins in with “blessed” and ends in with “happy”. Between both verses we find a series of causes that provide this happiness that all have to do with wisdom. “Wisdom” must be found ( ), not by chance, but by searching for it as for a treasure buried somewhere. Searching in this case means to heed instruction, for then you will become wise ( ). It means listening to the Word of God in order to become wise. “Understanding” must be obtained or acquired. This requires effort. It involves understanding how God directs life, especially when there are trials in life. That understanding is gained by looking to Christ in the Scriptures. In Him “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden” ( ). If anyone finds her (i.e. Christ), the proceeds are greater than what can ever be earned by trading silver ( ). This is not about an unbeliever finding Christ, but about a believer discovering Him as the One Who leads his life with wisdom. Therefore, wisdom is most important and her “gain is better than fine gold” ( ). When the value of wisdom is compared to the value of silver or gold, it is apparent that wisdom is invaluable. It yields so much more than owning the most precious metals. You realize this when you are seriously ill. You can own all the silver and gold in the world, but you cannot pay for your health with it. But what peace you can get in your heart when you realize that God’s wisdom is behind the illness. Wisdom “is more precious than jewels” ( ). Even the preciousness of the most expensive gems vanishes into insignificance when compared to wisdom. One can wish for all kinds of things, but apart from wisdom, a fulfillment of those wishes gives only a temporary and limited sense of happiness. Solomon, when he was allowed to make his wishes known to God at the beginning of his reign, wished for the best by asking for wisdom. God answered this wish by giving him a wise heart ( ). Wisdom, Christ, is the source of a long and beneficial life ( ). Wisdom, as it were, extends both hands to offer what she has. You may take it from both hands. In her right hand she has “long life”. He who chooses wisdom over the riches of the world chooses eternal life. In her left hand she has “riches and honor”. He who chooses wisdom over the most precious, but perishable, possessions on earth chooses imperishable spiritual riches and honor. This is what Christ offers and gives to everyone who belongs to Him. Not only what she holds in her hands is of the greatest value and so very different from what the world offers. Her ways and paths are also so very different from the ways and paths of the world ( ). Her ways are characterized by “pleasantness”. And “all her ways”, not one excepted, “are peace”. Do we not recognize in this the ways and paths of the Lord Jesus on earth? If we find wisdom, we will be able to imitate Him in these ways and paths. What a testimony that will be! Wisdom is also “a tree of life to those who take hold of her” ( ; ; ; ). In the phrase “take hold of” lies strength. One who takes firm hold of that tree demonstrates the power of faith (cf. ). Taking hold of the tree means that there is faith that the tree gives life. And it cannot stop there, for taking hold of her must be followed by “holding her fast” (cf. ). Those who once have life must nourish that life. Wisdom gives what is needed for everyday life. We find both of these aspects in what the Lord Jesus says about eating His flesh and drinking His blood in John 6. To receive life a person must eat His flesh and drink His blood, that is believing in His death, that His death was necessary to give him eternal life ( ). After that, it is constantly necessary to eat His flesh and drink His blood because life is in Him. That means we engage with Him every day by reading His Word, that is eating of Him spiritually. Then we continue in what we have learned ( ). The way to the tree of life is the way back to the point where human history went wrong. The way to the tree of life was closed by sin. Adam and Eve chose the wrong tree to eat from. We have the choice to eat from the right tree again by choosing wisdom. That that tree is “the tree of life” means that it gives continual vitality and full, eternal life (cf. ). That is the portion for everyone who thus takes hold of wisdom and holds on to her. Wisdom is knowing God in Christ. Christ is the tree of life. By holding Him fast we receive eternal life. That is more than we lost in Adam. The cross of Christ has become the tree of life for us. The cross of Christ is the foolishness of God that is wiser than men ( ). He who believes this is “happy”, for he has eternal life.

‏ Proverbs 3:13

The Value of Wisdom

To respond appropriately to the discipline spoken of in Pro 3:11-12 requires wisdom. Discipline or tribulation and wisdom are also linked by James (Jam 1:2-5). Knowing wisdom leads to happiness even when there are trials. The wisdom of the world does not give that happiness (Ecc 1:8). Wisdom as the way to happiness is discussed in the section of Pro 3:13-18. This section begins in Pro 3:13 with “blessed” and ends in Pro 3:18 with “happy”. Between both verses we find a series of causes that provide this happiness that all have to do with wisdom.

“Wisdom” must be found (Pro 3:13), not by chance, but by searching for it as for a treasure buried somewhere. Searching in this case means to heed instruction, for then you will become wise (Pro 8:33). It means listening to the Word of God in order to become wise.

“Understanding” must be obtained or acquired. This requires effort. It involves understanding how God directs life, especially when there are trials in life. That understanding is gained by looking to Christ in the Scriptures. In Him “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden” (Col 2:3).

If anyone finds her (i.e. Christ), the proceeds are greater than what can ever be earned by trading silver (Pro 3:14). This is not about an unbeliever finding Christ, but about a believer discovering Him as the One Who leads his life with wisdom. Therefore, wisdom is most important and her “gain is better than fine gold” (Pro 8:11 ; Pro 20:15 ; Pro 31:10).

When the value of wisdom is compared to the value of silver or gold, it is apparent that wisdom is invaluable. It yields so much more than owning the most precious metals. You realize this when you are seriously ill. You can own all the silver and gold in the world, but you cannot pay for your health with it. But what peace you can get in your heart when you realize that God’s wisdom is behind the illness.

Wisdom “is more precious than jewels” (Pro 3:15). Even the preciousness of the most expensive gems vanishes into insignificance when compared to wisdom. One can wish for all kinds of things, but apart from wisdom, a fulfillment of those wishes gives only a temporary and limited sense of happiness. Solomon, when he was allowed to make his wishes known to God at the beginning of his reign, wished for the best by asking for wisdom. God answered this wish by giving him a wise heart (1Kgs 3:5-13).

Wisdom, Christ, is the source of a long and beneficial life (Pro 3:16). Wisdom, as it were, extends both hands to offer what she has. You may take it from both hands. In her right hand she has “long life”. He who chooses wisdom over the riches of the world chooses eternal life. In her left hand she has “riches and honor”. He who chooses wisdom over the most precious, but perishable, possessions on earth chooses imperishable spiritual riches and honor. This is what Christ offers and gives to everyone who belongs to Him.

Not only what she holds in her hands is of the greatest value and so very different from what the world offers. Her ways and paths are also so very different from the ways and paths of the world (Pro 3:17). Her ways are characterized by “pleasantness”. And “all her ways”, not one excepted, “are peace”. Do we not recognize in this the ways and paths of the Lord Jesus on earth? If we find wisdom, we will be able to imitate Him in these ways and paths. What a testimony that will be!

Wisdom is also “a tree of life to those who take hold of her” (Pro 3:18; Gen 2:9 ; Gen 3:24; Pro 11:30 ; Pro 13:12 ; Pro 15:4; Rev 2:7 ; Rev 22:2 ; 14). In the phrase “take hold of” lies strength. One who takes firm hold of that tree demonstrates the power of faith (cf. Heb 6:18). Taking hold of the tree means that there is faith that the tree gives life. And it cannot stop there, for taking hold of her must be followed by “holding her fast” (cf. Song 3:4). Those who once have life must nourish that life. Wisdom gives what is needed for everyday life.

We find both of these aspects in what the Lord Jesus says about eating His flesh and drinking His blood in John 6. To receive life a person must eat His flesh and drink His blood, that is believing in His death, that His death was necessary to give him eternal life (Jn 6:53). After that, it is constantly necessary to eat His flesh and drink His blood because life is in Him. That means we engage with Him every day by reading His Word, that is eating of Him spiritually. Then we continue in what we have learned (2Tim 3:14).

The way to the tree of life is the way back to the point where human history went wrong. The way to the tree of life was closed by sin. Adam and Eve chose the wrong tree to eat from. We have the choice to eat from the right tree again by choosing wisdom. That that tree is “the tree of life” means that it gives continual vitality and full, eternal life (cf. Gen 3:22-24). That is the portion for everyone who thus takes hold of wisdom and holds on to her.

Wisdom is knowing God in Christ. Christ is the tree of life. By holding Him fast we receive eternal life. That is more than we lost in Adam. The cross of Christ has become the tree of life for us. The cross of Christ is the foolishness of God that is wiser than men (1Cor 1:25). He who believes this is “happy”, for he has eternal life.