Positioning yourself for the next level – Part 6

Wisdom strategically positions one for promotion to the higher echelon of life. In Proverbs 4:3-9, Solomon narrates what his father taught him concerning wisdom and how it results in an elevation in real life. He said: “For I, too, was once the delight of my father and cherished by my mother, their beloved child. Then my father taught me, saying, “never forget my words. If you do everything that I teach you, you will reign in life,” (Proverbs 4:3-4 TPT).

1Chronicles 3:5 shows that Bathsheba had other sons through David, but Solomon was her favourite son, God’s chosen heir to the throne of Israel.

Solomon remembered the lessons his father taught him. This would be a special remembrance of any son with any father, but all the more, so, when we consider that Solomon’s father was King David, the greatest of Israel’s earthly kings.

What did Solomon learn from the Father?
His father taught him this, “let your heart retain my words.” Before David spoke to Solomon, he cultivated his heart. David did not want his words to fall on deaf ears or a hard heart, so, he addressed this first. Proverbs 4: 23 says: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life,” (NLT).

The next thing he taught him was, “if you do everything that I teach you, you will reign in life.” One of the ways that David cultivated Solomon’s heart was to communicate the importance of his instruction. Because the teaching faithfully communicated God’s truth, obedience to the commands of his father meant life or death for Solomon.

In verse 5, he taught him to “get wisdom, get understanding.” Before David gave him the actual words of wisdom, he first encouraged the pursuit of wisdom in Solomon. To get wisdom means: “Value wisdom, pursue wisdom, sacrifice for wisdom, get wisdom and understanding.”

He further added: “Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.” Once wisdom is pursued and, in some sense, attained, it must be kept. It is possible to have wisdom for a time and then to turn away from it at a later time. Solomon did turn away from the path of wisdom (1 Kings 11:1-13).

In verses 6-9, he then outlines the benefits of getting wisdom.

Wisdom he says will “preserve you; love her and she will keep you.” Men and women often regard money, fame or romance as the principal thing; God’s people should give a higher premium to wisdom. Christ is the wisdom of God. “In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” (Colossians 2:3 NLT).

Then in verse 8, he counsels: “Exalt her, and she will promote you: The love and pursuit of wisdom has great rewards. She brings with her honour and ornament. Early in his life, Solomon was richly rewarded for his pursuit of wisdom (1 Kings 3:7-12).

Kevin Kabel’s comments on Proverbs 4:8-9 is insightful: “In these verses, he mentioned the benefits of wisdom being honour, grace, promotion and glory, but he did not tell his son that those benefits come automatically. Wisdom would not bring these benefits without first receiving something in return.

Getting wisdom, as Solomon got wisdom, was not all there was to receive the benefits of wisdom. Solomon had to embrace wisdom in order to receive the promotion of wisdom. He had to exalt wisdom in order to receive the honour of wisdom. He had to cherish wisdom in order to receive the grace of wisdom.” We must prioritise wisdom to be promoted in life.

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