Pro 4:10-13 | KingComments | STEP | again paint two paths for the young man: the path of wisdom ( ) and the path of the wicked and evil men ( ). One path is that to the full sun, the other to the darkness of night. It is the choice between the narrow and the broad way. The son is again confronted, as it were, with the choice between the two trees in paradise. The choice is ultimately the choice between being obedient or not, with which it is the choice between life or death. The father repeats his instruction to listen and receive his words ( ; cf. ). He attaches to this the promise of many years of life. This concerns not only the number of years, but also the enjoyment of joy in life. It is about the quality of life, a full life, and that includes more than its earthly duration. It is deeply about the enjoyment of the life of the kingdom of peace, life forever. The words of the father contain teaching in going the way of wisdom, words that also show the way that leads to wisdom ( ). He leads him on the way there. It is the narrow way “that leads to life” ( ). If he is guided by the wise words of his father, he will be “led … in upright paths” and not go down winding roads. His conduct will be straightforward, righteous, holy and in truth. The way of wisdom is free from hindrances, obstacles, and free from enemies and dangers, making its progress sure ( ). There is freedom of movement. Although the believer walks in the narrow way, he walks in the freedom of the Word of God. He who lives by the teaching of the Word of God will not be hindered by anything in his progress. Even when running in the race, when hurrying to do the will of God, there is no danger of stumbling and falling down because of being entangled in sin ( ). We see going the way of wisdom in perfection with the Lord Jesus. The instruction to take hold of it and not let go ( ) means that opposing forces are at work. Those forces are bent on getting us to abandon the teaching we have received. ‘Not letting go’ means that the adversary is pulling to take it away from us. We take hold of instruction only if we know its value with our hearts. Wisdom is not only the means to advance in life, but she also herself is life. Something so essential must be taken hold of with vigor and enthusiasm. It can be compared to a rope thrown to someone who is in the water and cannot swim. It is shouted to him to grasp that rope and hold on to it. If he lets go of it, he will drown. That rope is his life. This is how we should grasp and hold the instruction, the teaching we receive.

‏ Proverbs 4:10-13

The Way of Wisdom

Pro 4:10-19 again paint two paths for the young man: the path of wisdom (Pro 4:10-13) and the path of the wicked and evil men (Pro 4:14-19). One path is that to the full sun, the other to the darkness of night. It is the choice between the narrow and the broad way. The son is again confronted, as it were, with the choice between the two trees in paradise. The choice is ultimately the choice between being obedient or not, with which it is the choice between life or death.

The father repeats his instruction to listen and receive his words (Pro 4:10; cf. Pro 4:1). He attaches to this the promise of many years of life. This concerns not only the number of years, but also the enjoyment of joy in life. It is about the quality of life, a full life, and that includes more than its earthly duration. It is deeply about the enjoyment of the life of the kingdom of peace, life forever.

The words of the father contain teaching in going the way of wisdom, words that also show the way that leads to wisdom (Pro 4:11). He leads him on the way there. It is the narrow way “that leads to life” (Mt 7:13). If he is guided by the wise words of his father, he will be “led … in upright paths” and not go down winding roads. His conduct will be straightforward, righteous, holy and in truth.

The way of wisdom is free from hindrances, obstacles, and free from enemies and dangers, making its progress sure (Pro 4:12). There is freedom of movement. Although the believer walks in the narrow way, he walks in the freedom of the Word of God. He who lives by the teaching of the Word of God will not be hindered by anything in his progress. Even when running in the race, when hurrying to do the will of God, there is no danger of stumbling and falling down because of being entangled in sin (Heb 12:1-2). We see going the way of wisdom in perfection with the Lord Jesus.

The instruction to take hold of it and not let go (Pro 4:13) means that opposing forces are at work. Those forces are bent on getting us to abandon the teaching we have received. ‘Not letting go’ means that the adversary is pulling to take it away from us. We take hold of instruction only if we know its value with our hearts. Wisdom is not only the means to advance in life, but she also herself is life. Something so essential must be taken hold of with vigor and enthusiasm.

It can be compared to a rope thrown to someone who is in the water and cannot swim. It is shouted to him to grasp that rope and hold on to it. If he lets go of it, he will drown. That rope is his life. This is how we should grasp and hold the instruction, the teaching we receive.