Our church is going through a study on the book of Proverbs right now, and I am thoroughly enjoying the series. This book is unique among other Scriptures, both in its form and in its style.

As the book progresses, it might be described as a collection of contrasting options, often showing the outcomes of a decision in life made by the reader. But in Chapter 2, it is truly a treatise on the better choice of wisdom.

Solomon is teaching his son through these “proverbs” (or wise sayings) how to handle his life and to mitigate the many pitfalls that all of us face. While this book was originally aimed at his son, Solomon’s words echo immense benefits for us as well, as there is a “spillover” effect when reading the Bible.

Even though we may not be the originally intended audience of Paul, Peter, Moses, David, or other original authors, the truth of their words resonate in our life and time as well.

The first four verses of Chapter 2 are really conditions that must be observed in order to gain wisdom. Each of these sayings are built on the predicate “if,” indicating that we have a role or a choice in whether or not we will heed this golden advice.

Will I “receive His words?”

Will I “incline my heart to understanding?”

Will I “seek wisdom and search for it as if it were a hidden treasure?”

These and other conditions-if heeded-will open the outcome of verse 5, where Solomon brings us in on the reward of such diligence, saying “…then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”

When you stop and think about it, that is quite a rewarding outcome. Proverbs will later say in plain terms that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

This kind of fear does not mean trepidation, or anxiety, but rather a sense of awe and wonder at the true immensity that surrounds our sovereign Lord. He is truly almighty, and yet He has given us a pathway to find His knowledge.

Of course, the ultimate person of wisdom in the Bible is Jesus, and the entire Old Testament (Provers included) points to the coming of the Messiah, the Lamb of God who will “take away the sins of the world.”

No doubt, there is much knowledge on display in the world around us. But friends, wisdom is in much shorter supply-true wisdom, that is. That only comes from God.

And in His grace and mercy, he has opened the door if we only heed and apply His living word.