A lifelong study of mine is going through the book of Proverbs in the Bible.? Presently, I am reading through the Proverbs, in addition to? studying from Proverbs commentary by Charles Bridges.? This particular commentary is from The Geneva Series of Commentaries.? I am just reading/studying a few verses at a time.? I keep a spiral notebook on the table and notate each verse that includes a specific word.? In my notebook, the first page has WISDOM at the top.? On it are already listed and written out over 20 verses about wisdom in just the first 3 chapters of Proverbs.?? The next several topics are: instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, equity, subtilty (this is needed, by the way, to tell the difference between truth and error), knowledge, discretion, learning,? and many more.? I am already on my second page of notes pertaining to wisdom.? Here are a few verses:
Proverbs 3:13-18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.? For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold; she (WISDOM) is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her.? Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour; her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace; she is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:? and happy is everyone that retaineth her.
Charles Bridges reminds us:
“Who does not admire this glowing picture of happiness?? This wisdom of this world affords no such happiness.? Yet cold and barren is admiration, without an interest in the blessing.? The happy man has found a treasure, where possibly he least expected it, under the chastening of the Lord.? David and Manasseh found ‘God’s house of correction to be a school of instruction.’? Under all circumstances, however, prayerful diligence in the search of wisdom ensures success.? The naturally wise man is a fool in heavenly wisdom.? The man of prayer getteth understanding, draweth it out to light, as out of the hid treasure…Here the wise man, himself enriched with the merchandise of fine gold points out to us a better merchandise.? It is the search for ‘the pearl of great price,’ MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES, YEA, THAN ALL THINGS THAT COULD BE DESIRED.? So the Apostle judged.? So upon a trial he found it.? All the world’s show, all his former valuable ‘gain, he counted as dung and dross’ for ‘the true wisdom’ _ ‘the excellency of the knowledge of? CHRIST JESUS his Lord.’? NEVER WILL SOLID HAPPINESS BE KNOWN WITHOUT THIS SINGLENESS OF JUDGMENT AND PURPOSE.? THIS INESTIMABLE BLESSING MUST HAVE THE THRONE.? THE WAVERER AND THE HALF-SEEKER FALL SHORT.? DETERMINED PERSEVERANCE WINS THE PRIZE. (Philip.? 3:12-14)