Proverbs 4:8
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Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
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Promotion and honor are simple. Exalt and embrace wisdom, and you will be promoted and honored by God and men. Make wisdom the most important goal of your life, love her with fervent appreciation, and she will bring you greatness.
Solomon here repeated David's exhortation to the pursuit of wisdom (4:5-9). He remembered his own father teaching him, and he repeated the valuable instruction for the benefit of his son (4:3-4). Let every parent understand the importance of such training.
The highest goal for every man is to be like the Lord Jesus Christ, Who grew in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). How did He accomplish this noble and wonderful thing? He grew in wisdom, which is the ability to judge and act rightly in life. It is by wisdom that any person can find approval of God and man. Wisdom brings promotion and honor.
There are four feminine pronouns in this proverb referring to Lady Wisdom, Solomon's personification of wisdom, understanding, discretion, and knowledge. While he warned against the strange woman (7:5-27; 9:13-18), he also told of wonderful Lady Wisdom and her great benefits for men (1:20-33; 2:4; 3:13-18; 4:5-13; 7:1-4; 8:1-36; 9:1-5).
David, by wisdom, had a heart like God's, so the LORD made him king over Israel, and all Israel loved him (I Sam 18:16,30; II Sam 7:8). Lady wisdom promoted and honored him! Even his enemies and subjects thought him an angel (I Sam 29:9; II Sam 14:17)! How did he get this glorious reputation? He committed himself to wisdom (Ps 101:1-8).
David exalted and embraced wisdom. Consider his holy example well. What did he think of Scripture? He thought it more valuable than much fine gold and more pleasant than honey and the honeycomb (Ps 19:10; 119:127)! How often did he think about the Bible? Day and night (Ps 1:2)! What was his greatest treasure? The Bible (Ps 119:14,111,162)!
Where did he want to be more than anywhere else? In church (Ps 84:10)! Who were his only friends? Men fearing God and keeping his commandments (Ps 119:63)! How often did he pray? Three times a day (Ps 55:17)! How did he approach God? In humble self-examination (Ps 139:23-24)! Did he praise the Lord? Seven times a day (Ps 119:164)!
If God and men have not promoted and honored you, humble yourself and confess your neglect of wisdom. Exalt and embrace her in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seek His Word, His church, and His saints with all your heart. Promotion and honor will come!
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