Proverbs 4:10-19 – Choose wisdom and not the fool’s highway.

There are two things most people value in the journey of this life. They would like to have a life of excellence as well as be protected from dangers and harms in life. In these nine verses, both are promised to a wise person. Wisdom promises to help a person to live a meaningful, qualitative as well as a fulfilling life. It also promises that when a person embraces wise counsel, one will also find protection in one’s journey in life.  

Life without wisdom can be seen as a mindless meandering into paths where God’s Word no longer plays any significant role in a person’s life. Without the Word and devoid of wisdom, that person will set out to please his or her own heart and desires. The end is a self-seeking, self-serving life. In contrast, wisdom will make a person more circumspect. The wisdom will guide a person into paths that are upright. And when wisdom is embraced she guides one into a pleasant and unimpeded life journey. Any wise pilot can be acquainted with areas where rocks and reefs in life are identified, but wisdom dictates that he or she takes the safe path.

In verses 18-19, we see two contrasting routes. The path of the upright that leads the wise forward and upward, where the glorious presence of God will be felt. It is where the Lamb of God will be the lamp of the righteous. True light will be given to guide the journey of the wise. The lamp of the Lamb will illuminate the path, making the route clearer and brighter until the day of the wise is established.

In contrast, the wicked will be twisting and winding in darkness. Their lifestyle will be engulfed by the darkness that will cause them to stumble on their way. They won’t be able to see the impediments along their journey. The Contemporary English version of the Bible (CEV) made it clear for us. In verses 18-19, the CEV translated these verses this way, “The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight. The lifestyle of the wicked is like total darkness, and they will never know what makes them stumble.” Here are two roads we can choose. The road to glory or the fool’s highway. The choice is clear. Choose life and protection today!