Proverbs 2:8
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He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
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Those who pursue wisdom are rewarded by heaven. Such men are known for their righteous judgment and sanctified living. The LORD Jehovah is the source of all wisdom, protection, and blessing. When a man chooses equity and justice as his path in life, the Creator God will keep such a man. When a man chooses holy living as his way of life, the same God will preserve and protect him. There are rewards for seeking wisdom.
Solomon exhorted his son to the passionate pursuit of wisdom and understanding, and he promised him that he would obtain the goal (2:1-5). He then explained that the LORD gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (2:6), the LORD protects those that walk uprightly (2:7), and the LORD keeps and preserves the lives of His saints (2:8). By pursuing wisdom with all his might, his son would realize every related blessing (2:9).
Context is important to understand words and phrases, especially in Scripture. Most of Solomon's proverbs are individual observations on life and rules for success, so context is less important in Proverbs than other books of the Bible. However, in this cohesive section, Solomon described the pursuit of wisdom (2:1-4) and the obtaining of it (2:5-9).
Not only is the true and living God the source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (2:6), He is the Benefactor and Defender of those who seek Him and His wisdom (2:7-8). And it is this glorious combination of blessings and rewards that completely supplies the righteous with all they need and desire (2:9). He will keep them and preserve them (2:8).
Consider the first clause of the proverb, "He keepeth the paths of judgment." A man pursuing wisdom walks in the paths of judgment, which means he is always fair, just, and equitable. He does not make decisions by appearance, but he carefully assesses situations to draw a righteous and wise conclusion (17:15; 24:23; Deut 1:16-17; 16:18-29; Is 11:1-5; John 7:24; Eph 5:15). God promises to keep the man that walks in such righteous paths. He will be blessed and protected in life by the God of righteous judgment.
This first clause has an ellipsis, which is a figure of speech that leaves out obvious words. God Himself keeps to the paths of judgment, and He endorses and honors the paths of judgment (Deut 32:4; I Sam 2:3; Ps 99:4; Is 42:1-4). But the context emphasizes that God keeps persons who walk in judgment, for it is the righteous (2:7), upright (2:7), and saints (2:8) under consideration. The clause is elliptical, in that it could easily read that He keeps the paths of judgment for the righteous, for them that walk uprightly, or of his saints. The point is that He keeps righteous men more than that He keeps righteousness.
Consider the second clause of the proverb, "And preserveth the way of his saints." A saint is a sanctified person, meaning a holy person consecrated to God. The men in context are those diligently pursuing God's wisdom and knowledge (2:1-5). This includes the fear of the Lord, which is reverence for His purity and hatred of all sin (2:5; 8:13; 16:6; Ps 97:10; 119:104; Amos 5:15). The glorious God promises to preserve the way of such men, for they are the delight of His soul (Deut 33:3,26-29; Ps 34:11-22; 37:23-24).
What is the lesson for you? The dedicated and diligent pursuit of God's wisdom will be successful (2:1-5). But it will also bring Divine blessing and protection on your life, which will not be given to those neglecting or rejecting God's wisdom. Have you committed yourself to seeking the knowledge and wisdom that only comes from God and His word? If you have, you may confidently claim the promised blessings of this proverb.
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