How much do we appreciate the book of Proverbs? Whether we are young and inexperienced or older and wiser, it contains a wealth of wisdom for us all. Solomon compiled the Proverbs “to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” He further added, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:4–5).
Many read a chapter of Proverbs each day, as the book contains 31 chapters, aligning with most months. Others turn to Proverbs for a quick study when pressed for time. However, the key is not how many times we read something, but how we read. As Jesus instructs us, “Therefore take heed how you hear” (Luke 8:18). The New Bible Commentary: Revised gives the reminder that “receptive listening [reading] leads to fuller understanding, but refusal to listen will mean deprivation of even the opportunity to listen” (Third Edition, p. 901).
Jesus also taught that we are to become as little children if we hope to see the Kingdom of God. “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Mark 10:15). Christ no doubt had several childlike characteristics in mind when He said this, but one of them is certainly the trust that small children place in their parents.
We, too, must trust our heavenly Parent’s judgment, especially when it contradicts our human reasoning. It is dangerous to rely on our natural instincts. More than one proverb reminds us to look to God at all times. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5–8; see also 14:12 and 16:25).
Another proverb warns us, “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment. A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart” (18:1–2). Over the decades, how many people have we seen with “a new understanding,” “a new doctrine,” “a new timeline for Christ’s return”? Such people are so convinced they are right that they will rely solely on their own devices—even though no one agrees with them. Their problem is pride, and “when pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom” (11:2). For all their supposed understanding, they ignore admonitions to seek wise counsel (12:15).
Indeed, maintaining the right frame of mind is essential, and that is why the introduction to this book comes with this vital truth: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (1:7).
God’s Truth, Not Our Own
Sadly, not everyone who attended Ambassador College got the message. A few individuals—very few, but a foolish few—got caught up in illegal get-rich-quick schemes, disregarding Solomon’s very first warning after his preamble: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent…. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners” (1:10, 19).
Though none of these individuals engaged in violence, several spent time in prison—not for righteousness’ sake, but for greed and dishonesty. Tragically, as did Sapphira (Acts 5:1–10), more than one wife became involved in her husband’s scheme and also experienced incarceration. Every one of them must have read the first chapter of Proverbs, but they never understood it.
Many sincere Bible students draw wisdom from Proverbs, even without God’s Spirit. It does not take God’s Spirit to understand that “he who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” (10:4), or “where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (11:14), or “he who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure” (11:15). Yet God’s Spirit offers so much more, “for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10–11). Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13). It teaches us and brings to our remembrance what we need to know when we need to know it (John 14:26).
Some proverbs are very straightforward, while others carry meanings with varied applications. Some, translating idiomatic expressions into English, are downright difficult to discern. It is also easy to misinterpret a proverb based on our own biases. When I was in my mid-teens, I read, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love” (27:5, Revised Standard Version). I still have the copy of the Revised Standard Version my mother gave me some 65 years ago, and that verse is one of the few proverbs I underlined. Why?
While I find it embarrassing to admit, I misunderstood those words on the basis of my personal circumstances. As do many teenage boys, I found it terrifying to ask a girl out on a first date, but I took courage from this proverb—or at least from my take on it. I thought it meant that it is better to be turned down by a girl than to be her secret admirer. Regardless of whether that is true, it is not at all what the proverb means. The first half of the sentence has to do with rebuking or correcting someone, and the second half is obscure enough that Hebrew scholars have different opinions about its intent—but, nevertheless, I totally misapplied it. To misinterpret a proverb is to obscure the wisdom it offers.
Application Through Meditation
Sometimes a proverb can have a variety of applications depending on circumstances. For instance, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished” (27:12), can apply to a multitude of situations, such as being tempted to get caught up in adultery (9:13–18), climbing a dangerous cliff, marrying outside the Church (Nehemiah 13:25–27), failing to tithe faithfully, leaving home during a blizzard, not knowing the state of your flocks and attending to their needs (Proverbs 27:23), and countless other ways. This is why meditation is important.
Then there are proverbs with practical applications that may not be immediately clear. Here is one example: “Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house” (24:27). We normally—and rightly—apply this to a young man keeping his priorities straight by securing an income before getting married. This is no doubt the intent of the proverb, but does it have other applications?
Consider that when Dr. Roderick C. Meredith was removed from the apostatizing Worldwide church after Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong’s death, he immediately followed Christ’s instruction and began preaching the Gospel and giving a warning to the world. This was his top priority—following Christ’s command. He did not neglect the flock God was calling, but his priority was to look outward rather than focus inward. Unlike some who left Worldwide, he quickly went on radio and television and began publishing booklets and magazines. And what was the fruit? Members of that former association have continued, even to this day, to join us—but quite a few members of the Living Church of God have no background with our former association.
Proverbs 24:27 is about priorities, doing first what we most need to do, which is a principle Dr. Meredith exemplified. In light of this proverb, we can look back at his example and see the importance of setting the correct priorities—and we can be thankful that he did first things first, which we in the Living Church of God strive to continue to do.