Do You Desire Wisdom - Proverbs 2:1

Dr. Solomon starts off with an extended if/then format. He gives us the preconditions (the if statements) that are required to obtain the blessings of wisdom. The preconditions start in Proverbs 2:1 - My son, if you hear my words and treasure up my commandments with you,

Notice that wisdom is not just passing advice for a momentary experience. Unfortunately, that is what many of us want since we tend to be pragmatic in nature. When a problem arises, we want an instant solution. The Proverbs, however, are not an instant aspirin to take away your spiritual headache. No, wisdom must be received and treasured. Wisdom is something you layup and store, so that it can utilized in a time of need. And this utilization comes from experience and repetitive use.

A refusal to receive and treasure instruction and guidance is the response of a child. Consider the following example, a parent instructs the child to make up their bed - the child obeys. The next day, the parent has to instruct the child again to make up the bed - the child obeys. And this goes on day after day. In this scenario, the child only applies the instruction for the moment (while the parent is watching), but they don't receive the instruction and treasure it. Children who refuse to store up wisdom become adults who refuse to store up wisdom. And it is the foolish adult who become a scourge in their homes, their church (assuming they go), and in their culture.