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Not Forsaking Wisdom

Proverbs 4:6 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
⁶Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will safeguard you.

Do not forsake her: 4:2 reads, “do not forsake my teaching.” The Hebrew verb forsake (עָזַב azab) means to abandon, give up, turn away from, reject, desert, to leave behind. Her here refers to wisdom, which is pictured as a gracious, desirable woman in verses 6-9. What can God’s people do to safeguard themselves from being pulled into this world’s depravity and destruction? What can they do to avoid this fallen world’s corrupt influence, thus protecting themselves spiritually, mentally, and emotionally? What must be acquired if God’s people desire to receive eternal life? God, through His inspired Word, informs us of the initial step in 4:5, “acquire wisdom, acquire understanding.” In 4:6, the next step is crucial. We paraphrase it, ‘Do not forsake wisdom, and it will guard you; love it, and it will safeguard you.’ Therefore, if God’s people are to survive their being mentally bent toward evil (Gen 6:5; 8:21), their treacherous heart (Jer. 17:9), their natural desire to do bad (Rom. 7), and a fallen world ruled by Satan, they must search out the wisdom of God. They must be trained on how they can live according to the Bible with their mind of Christ, being biblically minded. The accurate knowledge (ἐπίγνωσις epignōsis)[1] of the Word of God will become a protective shield wrapped around them in their moment of temptation, difficult times, persecution, and crisis.

And she will keep you: The Hebrew verb keep (שׁוֹמֵר Shomer or שֹׁמֵר Shomer) means to keep watch over, to protect or look after. Who is you, who is wisdom guarding? You in the Hebrew (אַתָּה attah) is masculine singular, as it is referring to Solomon who is quoting his father, King David’s, counsel to him.

Love her, and she will safeguard you: The Hebrew verb (נָצַר natsar) safeguard means to watch over, to keep safe from injury, harm, or danger, or to protect. Wisdom will protect those who remain loyal in their love for her. Be wise, be aware of innocent appearing situations. Also, if one ignores their biblically trained mind and heart, it will grow callused and unfeeling. Before long, there will be no warning about what is right and wrong.

[1] Accurate Knowledge: (ἐπίγνωσις epignōsis) This is a strengthened or intensified form of gnosis (epi, meaning “additional”), meaning “true,” “real,” “full,” “complete” or “accurate,” depending upon the context. It is a personal recognition where one understands something clearly and distinctly or as true and valid. Paul and Peter alone use epignosis. Paul uses the term 15 times, while Peter uses it four times. Paul wrote about some who were “always learning and yet never able to come to accurate knowledge of truth.” (2Ti 3:6-7) He also prayed for those in the Colossian church, who clearly had some knowledge of the will and purposes of the Father, for they had become Christians, “that [they] may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (Col 1:9) All Christians should desire to obtain or achieve accurate knowledge of God’s Word. (Eph 1:15-17; Php 1:9; 1Ti 2:3-4), It is crucial in one’s effort at putting on the new person that Paul spoke of, and in gaining peace. – Rom. 1:28; Eph. 1:17; Phil. 1:9; Col. 1:9-10; 3:10; 1 Tim 2:4; 2Pe 1:2.