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Seek, search for and Acquire Wisdom, Insight, Understanding, and the Knowledge of God

Proverbs 10:27 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²⁷The fear of Jehovah prolongs days,
but the years of the wicked will be short.

The fear of Jehovah prolongs days: Throughout the entire book of Proverbs, the fear of Jehovah is the repeated theme of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs.[1] One who fears Jehovah, has the qualities of humility (15:33; 22:4), wisdom (1:7), possessing faithfulness and Godly love (16:6), and concern for his relationship with God (2:5; 9:10). In the book of Proverbs, fear of Jehovah is related to faith in God that is constantly seeking understanding.[2] Prolongs (יָסַף yasaph) is exactly as it sounds, it means to add onto, to increase, make an addition to, and this too is mentioned throughout Proverbs. If you heed the Father’s teachings ‘the length of days and years of life will be added to you.’ (3:2) You should listen to Wisdom as long life is in her right hand,’ (3:16) for ‘by her your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.’ (9:11) Days mean life, the fear of Jehovah prolongs life.

but the years of the wicked will be short: Here the years of the wicked mean how long the wicked will live, the length of their life. In Proverbs 13:9 we are told, “the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” In 20:20 it says, “He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.” The wisdom, insight, understanding, and knowledge of God are what give the righteous one long life, while the lack of such provides the foolish, wicked one with a short life.

The righteous one’s life is guided by the referential fear of trying to please Jehovah by his thoughts, words, and actions, which are motivated by pure love. The father cares for him, and it is the wisdom, insight, understanding, and knowledge of God that helps this righteous one to have his righteous hopes fulfilled. However, the wicked one lives a godless life. The foolish, evil lifestyle of the wicked will cause his life to be cut short. Yes, the wicked one may seem to have his hopes fulfilled, but this is momentarily at best, for his life is often lacking and short because of his violence or immoral lifestyle. When he dies, any hope of prolonged life is lost forever. – Proverbs 11:7.

[1] Leo G. Perdue, Wisdom & Creation: The Theology of Wisdom Literature (Nashville: Abingdon, 1994), p. 79.

[2] Dave Bland, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & Song of Songs, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 2002).