This is a sober warning isn’t it? This is contrasted against the idea of what Solomon says in Prov. 4:4 – “Keep my commandments and live”. The contrast between life and death should clue us in on the seriousness of the issue that is being addressed. To wander out of the way of understanding, is to stray from and ignore the only source of understanding we have, the Word of God. By the time we get to the 21st chapter of Proverbs, there have been several warnings that are similar to this one. As a matter of fact, the Bible as a whole brings us repeated warnings against ignoring God and His Word. Why would God bring this up so many times? While there are several reasons, I will give two. First, because we are prone to wander from Him; and so, reminders are necessary. Second, it pleases God to save us from ourselves. So many times, we can convince ourselves that we are being robbed of a good thing, when we are confronted with the Word. The truth is, we are all currently building a life and making choices that have consequences with which we will have to live. Miserable lives do not simply pop up all at once, they are created one choice and one consequence at a time. Stay in the way of understanding and live, it is the only place true living is actually found.