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Proverbs 2

22 verses

TL;DR

Proverbs 2 encourages the reader to pursue wisdom with zeal, explains that God grants wisdom and knowledge, and shows how wisdom protects against folly and leads to righteous living.

Summary

The chapter opens with an exhortation to the son to receive the words and hide commandments, urging him to incline his ear to wisdom and apply his heart to understanding. It then portrays a diligent search for wisdom as a quest for precious silver, promising that such pursuit leads to an understanding of the fear of the LORD and the knowledge of God. God is described as the source of wisdom, who lays it up for the righteous and serves as a buckler for the upright. The passage highlights how wisdom guides judgment, preserves the way of saints, and delivers the seeker from the ways of the wicked, including the temptation of the stranger woman. Finally, it contrasts the blessed life of the upright with the cut-off fate of the wicked, affirming that those who walk in wisdom will dwell in the land, while transgressors will be rooted out.

Outline
  1. Invitation to seek wisdom with zeal
  2. God as the source and protector of wisdom
  3. The benefits of wisdom and the dangers of wickedness
Themes
Pursuit of wisdomDivine providence and protectionMoral consequence of choices
Keywords
WisdomKnowledgeUnderstandingFear of the LORDRighteousnessJudgmentEquityDiscretionWickednessStranger woman
People
LORDSonStranger woman
Places
Things
wisdomknowledgeunderstandingfear of the LORDrighteousnessjudgmentequitydiscretionwickedness
Key Verses
  • Proverbs 2:5: Shows the reward of seeking wisdom: understanding of the fear of the LORD and knowledge of God.
  • Proverbs 2:6: Attributes wisdom and knowledge to God's mouth.
  • Proverbs 2:7: Illustrates God as a buckler for the righteous.
  • Proverbs 2:12: Highlights how wisdom preserves and protects from the evil man.
  • Proverbs 2:16: Warns against the stranger woman, illustrating the dangers of deception.
  • Proverbs 2:22: Contrasts the fates of the righteous and the wicked.
Questions
  • What does it mean to "seek wisdom as silver"?
  • How does the fear of the LORD lead to knowledge of God?
  • In what ways does wisdom serve as a protection for the righteous?
  • Why does the chapter warn against the stranger woman?
  • How do the outcomes for the righteous and wicked illustrate the theme of moral consequence?
Sentiment

positive
Encourages pursuit of wisdom and highlights God's protective provision.