
Proverbs 24:5-14 contains several truths that have direct application for us today. The text says that “a wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength” (verse 5). We actually increase our strength by increasing our knowledge. Strength that is informed by knowledge becomes an asset, but a person who possesses only brute strength with a dull mind is simply a clumsy liability who gets in his own way. We see this in verse 7 – “Wisdom is too high for a fool" who literally “has nothing to say.” Fools are unable to add anything meaningful to any discussion because they lack pertinent background information or significant topical knowledge. Essentially, fools are just babblers. Here, the writer says that we “need [divine] guidance and many advisors” not only “to wage war,” but also for everything we do (verse 6). Wisdom dwells on a higher plane than mere knowledge, but like honey, wisdom is accessible only at risk and by hard work. Fools are not willing to take the risks necessary to work for wisdom, but the wise will always use their limited wisdom to minimize the risks and maximize their acquisition of greater wisdom. This is why God tells us to pursue wisdom: “If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (verse 14).
Jeremiah 6:1-7:29 illustrates the truth of Proverbs 24:14. In this section, Jeremiah addresses a prophetic judgment that fell on Jerusalem for the people’s stubborn foolishness and ignorance: “Their ears were closed, so they could not hear; the Word of the LORD was offensive to them” (6:10). This text explains the heart and the mind of every fool. Foolish people ignore God’s Word, and they show shameless contempt for it (cf., 6:15). God told them “where the good way is, and [to] walk in it, that they might find rest for their souls” (verse 16). But what was their response? “We will not walk in it” (verse 16). He told them to “listen,” but they said, “We will not listen” (verse 17). This is blatant disobedience. They “followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts” (cf., 7:24). As I think about our reading for today in Jeremiah, I am reminded how we only harm ourselves whenever we fail to seek or to follow the Lord, or when we do those things that cause His displeasure. Notice the Lord’s rhetorical question – “‘But am I the one they are provoking?’ declares the Lord. ‘Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?’” (cf., Jeremiah 7:19). They were only hurting themselves.
This contrast between wisdom and foolishness is also consistent with Paul’s admonition to us in Philippians 4:2-23. It is always the better part of wisdom to “rejoice in the Lord always, to refrain from worry [i.e., “do not be anxious” (cf., verse 6)], to pray with thanksgiving, and to think about whatever is noble, true, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and excellent,” and finally, “to put these things into practice” (verses 4-9). Notice what happens when we apply these virtues to our lives: “the God of peace” – Who is truly our Source for all wisdom – promises to “be with us” (verse 9). Here, Paul establishes God’s priority and His perspective for us – He wants us to be content (verses 11-12). This was Paul’s position about living wisely. Further, in verse 13, he tells us the source of his power – “I can do everything through Him [Christ].” Paul concludes the letter to the Philippians on a note of thanksgiving for the unique provisions given by the believers at Philippi.
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