Take Hold of Instruction

Proverbs 4:13 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹³ Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go: The Hebrew (חָזַק chazaq) to grasp (hold), hold firmly, the great significance or value of dedication, loyalty, and devotion to the instruction that is in these chapters. Instruction (מוּסָר musar) is communication relating to how something is to be accomplished. It is the teaching of a fundamental truth (rule or belief governing one’s personal behavior) or a proverb for life. (Psa. 50:17; Prov. 1:8; 15:33; 23:12) Do not let go (רִיפָה riphah or רִפָה riphah) here means not to abandon, forsake, withdraw, give up, or leave behind the instruction you have received in these chapters.

Guard her, for she is your life: In 4:6, it was wisdom that will guard and safeguard you. The Hebrew verb guard (נָצַר natsar) means to keep watch over, to protect, or look after. Here you are told to guard, protect, look after, or watch over instruction. What is meant by this command is for the learner, you, to grasp or hold firmly to understanding, to never let it out of your sight, as it will guide you through life. She [instruction] is your life, meaning that she will guide you through life in all things.

As a son to his father, King David, Solomon must have welcomed the advantage of loving instruction that teaches and corrects. Without balanced instruction, how could you expect to make progress spiritually or hope to improve your quality of our life? You need to learn from inevitable mistakes in your human imperfection, and you need to be quick and receptive to correcting wrong ideas. Otherwise, your spiritual growth will be insignificant.  Reasonable instruction leads to godly behavior and thus helps us walk with God on the upright paths of righteousness, morality, honesty, and respectability. Solomon is, therefore, telling his son that instruction is the key to life.

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