Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Proverbs 22:1-6 Wise & Foolish Behaviors 2b

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Proverbs 22:1–6

[1] A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

and favor is better than silver or gold.

[2] The rich and the poor meet together;

the Lord is the Maker of them all.

[3] The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

but the simple go on and suffer for it.

[4] The reward for humility and fear of the Lord

is riches and honor and life.

[5] Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;

whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

[6] Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV)

Wise & Foolish Behaviors 2b

v.1 This chapter concludes this section of Proverbs dealing with the contrast between wise and foolish behaviors. It opens with this comparison of a good reputation with wealth. A good reputation is to be valued above great wealth, and being viewed by God favorably is more valuable to you than much silver and gold. This proverb is in keeping with the 8th commandment, which tells us to protect our neighbor's reputation as a valuable possession.

v.2 This verse connects to the previous with the concept of riches. We are to respect all people as God’s creations originally made in His image. It reminds us that it is easy for us to judge others as being of less worth to society because of their social status. “Have no partiality as you hold to the faith in our Lord of glory, Jesus Christ” (James 2:1; see James 2:1–13).

v.3 A prudent person has the foresight to see trouble on the horizon and avoid it. The gullible person does not have the Wisdom to guide himself away from such situations (compare with Proverbs 27:12).

v.4 In this verse, we learn that two spiritual gifts grant three rewards. These rewards are not earned as a result of one's actions but are God's blessings to the individual to whom He has granted humility and fear of the Lord. Recall that the fear of the Lord does not mean fear of God's wrath for our breaking His Law; rather, it means we cling to Him above all else. If you fear God, you do not have to be afraid of anything. King Solomon's father, David, had something to say about it: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4). In the Bible, when speaking of God, fear does not mean terror but standing in reverence and awe before Him. This also includes faith and love for Him because of the Gospel. Through repentance and faith come Wisdom and righteousness.

v.5 This proverb drives home the point that when we sin, we harm ourselves. Sinful living produces a path in life fraught with traps and problems, though we may not perceive the consequences of the choices we make. In fact, it may appear as though our sinful choices are beneficial, and we may perceive that corrupt and public sinners have lives that are easy and luxurious! The point is that those with Divine Wisdom discern the eternal consequences of sinful living and that the temptation to embrace it may lead to losing one's faith completely, leading to eternal damnation.

v.6 This is one of the most popular and well-known proverbs. One challenge is understanding the phrase "train up." It does not specifically refer to raising a child with early teaching to benefit his adult life, though that is certainly part of it. The main thrust is that a child be raised in the Church, beginning with baptism and taught all Jesus has taught us (Matthew 28:19-20), which incorporates the child into Christ (Colossians 2:11-14), who is The Way he should go (John 14:6). By this, the child receives the Holy Spirit and becomes an heir of all God's promises (Acts 2:38-39; Galatians 3:26-29). From a very young age, children should be taught the Bible, which will make them and keep them Wise in God's ways, leading to eternal life and salvation (2 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 6:4).