Proverbs 20.15
“There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
Wisdom and insight are better than material wealth. Spoken wisdom is a wonderful, precious treasure. This proverb is an echo of a key message in chapter 2: ““My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures … ” (Proverbs 2.1-4)
This “if” statement in chapter 2 set the stage for the entire Book of Proverbs. The condition that must be met in order to enjoy the blessings of wisdom is that you must seek wisdom as you would seek treasure. You must recognize the immeasurable value of wisdom. You must seek it relentlessly, with all your heart. Ask for it. Cry out for it. Search for it. If you want true wisdom, you can’t dabble. It is not a casual, occasional pursuit.
Proverbs 20.16
“Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.”
The warning here is simple: Don’t make loans to strangers. It is better to simply be generous to someone in need than to expect to get paid back for a loan. Followers of Jesus are called to be generous and giving, but they are also called to be wise in their generosity. Be careful what you give away and to whom.
Proverbs 20.17
“Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.”
Motivation and methods matter. Things that are acquired by deceitful means may at first taste sweet, but eventually it will feel like rocks in your mouth. As the Book of Proverbs repeatedly tells us, we are to work diligently and honestly for things.
Proverbs 20.18
“Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.”
The metaphor here is planning for battle, which represents the challenges of life and work. The wise person is thoughtful and intentional before going into battle. He does not act on impulse. The wise person thinks carefully and develops a game plan before he enters the arena. Most importantly, he seeks wise counsel. He doesn’t plan alone.
Before you do battle, you should be prepared. You should seek guidance and get input from wise people. Those who act alone and are hasty, impetuous, and impulsive are easily defeated by the Enemy on the battlefields of life. As a follower of Christ and a student of the New Testament, this proverb immediately brings to mind Paul’s teaching in Ephesians about the reality of spiritual warfare:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6.10-13)
More to come on this vital topic of spiritual warfare …
