There is a slight change to whom this set of
proverbs is addressed. Did you notice it, or did it just slip by? He writes “sons”
plural. This advice applies to all his sons collectively, not to one son in
particular, or each son individually. Sometimes the LORD has something for all
of us, something that will fit with all our lives. Sometimes the LORD’s advice
is more tailored to meet our specific need.
This passage contains many themes that we
have read before, especially the need to gain wisdom. But it takes on a more
personal tone. He connects with his sons by referring to that fact that he is a
son just like them (v3). He even recalls the conversation his father had with
him about the importance of gaining wisdom (vv4-9). It is right in the middle
of this conversation that the writer shares something new.
His father told him that wisdom was the most
important pursuit in life, so if you are going to succeed at one pursuit, make
it the pursuit of wisdom (v7). You don’t want to fail at this task.
Notice the parallel structure of this verse.
Wisdom and understanding are what we are to get. They stand at the end of each
phrase to show that they are joined together. He is not contrasting wisdom and
knowledge, but saying they are the same end.
The start of the journey is simple: get
wisdom. But getting wisdom means you get knowledge as well. The second phrase
steps up the pursuit. No matter how much is costs, get wisdom and knowledge.
Start the journey and do whatever it takes to finish it.
This doubling up of ideas is a common way to
drive home a point in Hebrew poetry. In Blackjack you can double down to take
the greatest advantage of certain times when the house odds are at their worst.
This is what the writer does with his words. He doubles down on the pursuit of
wisdom, raising the stakes, and maximizing his odds of getting wisdom and knowledge.
It can be easy to let our spiritual disciplines
slip down the priority list in our lives. This passage today would say to move
it back up to the top and do everything you can to keep it there.