Proverbs 14:1-7 – Characteristics of wisdom

Wisdom is a very important factor to a meaningful and fulfilling life. It is best seen as the ability to apply whatever knowledge and experience one has to make right and good decisions and judgments. And we know that the best knowledge and wisdom one can find are recorded in the Bible. Therefore, we must never neglect the Word of God. The whole chapter of Proverbs 14 is devoted to help us understand what wisdom is and how to identify and pursue it. We shall prayerfully consider each component of wisdom and then pursue it to find joy and an enhanced living. Proverbs 14:1-7 give us several key characteristics of wisdom.

Wisdom is seen in the context of a wise woman in verse 1. Its emphasis is focused on the family. A wise woman makes building up the home a top priority. She makes building the well-being of her family her number one goal in life. The home of a wise woman is solidly established on the firm foundation of God’s word and divine principles. Nothing, however attractive, will distract her from this priority. But one who is foolish would be attracted to engage in all kinds of activities and she singlehandedly will tear down the home. What this verse suggests to us is that a woman has tremendous influence in the home. She can help build it up or foolishly tears it down.

  

Verse 2 is critical and central to a person with wisdom. He places great emphasis on the fear of the LORD. Note the LORD is in capital letters. The author is talking about Yahweh, the covenant making-keeping God, with whom we are related to. The upright and wise have a deep reverential fear and awe for Him. It is not merely a confession of their lips but holy conducts that they pursue in life. Their lifestyles, their habits, their words are all motivated and characterized by their deep devotion for the LORD. Not so are the foolish who choose to walk in perverse ways and spurn the love of God. They choose to live sinful, careless, unrestraint and God-opposing lifestyles, totally devoid of any reverence for the Almighty. And they are totally nonchalant and unconcerned about pleasing Him.

Next a person with wisdom can be seen in his speech. Unlike the mouth of a fool that spews out conceit and pride, the words of the wise is conciliatory. Such a person finds himself free from the trap of troubles. He does not insult and neither will they speak ill of others. Being peace-loving his words and actions always promote good-will and peaceful co-existence with others.    

Verse 4 hints to us that such a person is not afraid of hard work. He is aware of the necessity to clean a manger when he has oxen. He knows he will not be spared the chore of cleaning up the mass created by keeping his oxen. But they are needful for his work and survival. Without the oxen he will not be able to plough and farm and hence will have no harvest to reap. Hence, he knows that having oxen far outweighs the inconvenience of hard work. If we expect a harvest, we need to invest our time. Success and achievement are never accomplished by sitting on an armchair.

Verse 5 tells us that a wise person is full of truth and integrity. He will never be caught testifying falsely. So wholesome is he that no bribe or threat will cause him to bear false witness. On the other hand, a false witness is totally the opposite. Out of his mouth will come countless number of lies and deceits. Falsehood is his second nature.  

As far as a scoffer is concerned, wisdom does not exist in him so say verse 6. He lacks the wherewithal to acquire wisdom. The scoffers are too conceited and thus totally closed to the instruction of others. They are too arrogant to even seek the opinions of people other than himself. Knowledge, on the other hand, comes easily to a discerning person. He has a fear of the LORD. Therefore, earnestly seeking God and knowing Him is like breathing to him. He will find plenty of insights for godly living. Verse 7 concludes with a call to exit from the presence of a fool and not be influenced by him. He has nothing great to offer one who has chosen to please the LORD. The writer Bo Benette has this to say: “Those who improve with age embrace the power of personal growth and personal achievement, and begin to replace youth with wisdom, innocence with understanding, and lack of purpose with self-actualization.” How true this is, we must make it our aim to pursue wisdom and grow in the LORD!