Proverbs 2
Summary for Prov 2:1-22: 2:1-22 a The father urges his son to seek wisdom. It will protect him from evil men and from the dangers of promiscuous women. The son must seek wisdom, while understanding that it is a gift from God. 2:1 b To treasure my commands means to give attention to them and obey them; they allow us to live to the fullest.Summary for Prov 2:2-3: 2:2-3 c wisdom ... insight ... understanding: All three words point toward skills needed to navigate life’s difficulties.
2:4 d Searching for silver or hidden treasures would be undertaken with urgency, excitement, and anticipation of reward (cp. Matt 13:44 e; Luke 15:8-10 f).
2:5 g The quest for true wisdom leads to God. Wisdom is impossible without fear of the Lord (1:7 h).
2:6 i The Lord grants wisdom to those who learn it from the Scriptures, which come from his mouth (2 Tim 3:16 j; 2 Pet 1:20-21 k). It is impossible to become wise through empirical observation alone.
Summary for Prov 2:7-8: 2:7-8 l Here, common sense is intuitive understanding built through listening to God’s words and observing his world. God is a shield who guards and protects those who live in relationship with him.
2:10 m Wisdom will enter your heart, becoming an integral part of life. Rather than occasionally doing wise things, the wise person consistently makes wise choices.
• Knowledge brings joy because it helps people live successfully.
Summary for Prov 2:12-15: 2:12-15 n Wisdom discerns when words are twisted to represent what is wrong as being right. The right way leads to life, the wrong way to death (1:10-19 o; 2:18-19 p; 5:5-6 q; 9:1-6 r, 13-18 s).
• dark paths: In the New Testament, darkness represents the realm of evil, while light represents the realm of God’s goodness (Matt 4:16 t; 5:14-16 u; John 1:14 v; Rom 2:19 w).
2:16 x Wisdom keeps a young man from an immoral woman, helping him to resist her flattering, seductive words. Wisdom includes emotional maturity, restraint, and the ability to assess the purpose of someone’s speech.
2:17 y By pursuing another man, an immoral woman has abandoned her husband. Her marriage covenant ... before God included vows of faithfulness (cp. Mal 2:14-16 z).
Summary for Prov 2:18-19: 2:18-19 aa leads ... to the grave: Adultery betrays a fundamental covenant with one’s spouse and with God (see also Gen 39:2-9 ab; Mal 2:14 ac).
Summary for Prov 2:20-22: 2:20-22 ad Those who make wise choices will live in the land; those who do not will be evicted. God gave the land of Israel to his people, but they could only stay in it if they followed God’s commands (Deut 28:9-11 ae, 64-68 af). Because they broke his law, they were expelled (in 586 BC; see 2 Kgs 25:1-30 ag; 2 Chr 36:15-21 ah).
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