Slices
Prepare
What are you longing for in your life? Has it ever occurred to you to desire wisdom? Does wisdom seem precious to you?
Bible passage
Wisdom bestows well-being
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them round your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honour the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honour.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
Explore
Solomon is working really hard to ‘sell’ wisdom and its benefits in today’s passage. He wants his son (and us) to pursue it, so he uses these verses to speak of its rewards. Obeying God’s commands and putting him first, he says, will bring long life, good health, riches, honour, peace and more (v 2)!
This can be hard to believe when we see godly people suffering and wicked people thriving, when faithful believers die young and corrupt leaders gain wealth and honour. How can we reconcile the words of the Bible with what we see playing out around us?
We have to remember that this life is only a small part of the story. There’s something much bigger going on – something eternal. Other biblical passages, such as Psalm 73, remind us to lift our gaze from this earthly moment and see the big picture. It might seem as though the wicked ‘have no struggles’ (Psalm 73:4) and that godly wisdom is not worth the effort, but one day God will bring justice to all (2:22).
God’s word can be trusted (v 5). Pursuing wisdom will bring his people all these promised rewards at just the right time: ‘Those who hold fast will be blessed’ (v 18).
Respond
Do you need God’s help to hold fast to his promises just now? Do you know others who are struggling with doubt? Ask God for his strength and help for all who need it.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 12–14; Romans 2
Pray for Scripture Union
The Amplify residential for young evangelists starts tomorrow. Over 100 young people will be coming together from across the UK to learn more about what it means to share their faith in modern youth culture. Pray that the young people will be bold in sharing their faith with their friends.
