“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Proverbs 6:16-17

The writer uses a Hebrew construction, a numeral plus one, to indicate the Lord’s ultimate displeasure with the items in the list.

The fifth abomination is “feet that make haste to run to evil.” Many may think this is talking about them since “all have sinned” (Rom 3:23). However, the person who is trying to resist evil, but fails, is not the person in view here. This is the person who seems to be magnetically drawn to evil, and is quick to get involved in evil. His proclivity is to quickly involve himself in evil. Here, the heart is on display through the feet.

Drink water from your own cistern,

    flowing water from your own well.

Proverbs 5:15 ESV

This commandment is set against the previous section about the forbidden woman. As a summary illustration we are told to drink only from our own cistern or well. Since the forbidden woman is not yours, leave her alone.

The comparison to property is not meant to demean the intrinsic value of the forbidden woman, it is intended to shock the man’s heart into clarity. Since I don’t want others taking my stuff, I will not take someone else’s woman. She is forbidden to me.

I have taught you the way of wisdom;

    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

Proverbs 4:11 ESV

Here, the father reminds his son that wisdom has been passed down. Of course, the lessons/principles have to be received, but the father has been faithful to guide his son toward wisdom and righteousness.

This is clearly a pattern that should be followed by dads. But what about those sons who didn’t accept the teaching or those who didn’t have a dad who taught them wisdom and righteousness? If you are one of these children and are reading this, you must step up and break the cycle. You must teach your children wisdom and righteousness.

Unfortunately, there is likely a path of destruction from a life of folly that must be cleaned up, too. However, the kids can’t be left on their own to figure out wisdom simply because you were. You may have to manage multiple tracks, but do it for God’s glory and for the sake of the generations to come. Gain wisdom yourself and teach your children wisdom and righteousness.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:7 ESV

Do not be wise in your own eyes is another way of saying “Don’t be a fool.” The contrast is fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” A fool does not fear the Lord, but elevates himself. Neither does he turn from evil. Instead, he engages in it.

In short, this verse gives a succinct description of how to be wise: Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. The fool fails in these points.

My son, if you receive my words

    and treasure up my commandments with you,

² making your ear attentive to wisdom

    and inclining your heart to understanding;

³ yes, if you call out for insight

    and raise your voice for understanding,

⁴ if you seek it like silver

    and search for it as for hidden treasures,

⁵ then you will understand the fear of the Lord

    and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:1-5 ESV

NOTE: We are working through these five verses section by section. We covered the first point here, the second point here, and the third point here.

The fourth condition: If we want to understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (vs. 5), the fourth thing we must do is seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures. The imagery here is so obvious that it seems unnecessary to say anything more.

What is the spirit with which you read God’s Word, our primary source of wisdom? Do you have a “ho hum, here we go” attitude? Or do you have a measure of excitement and anticipation for what you will find? Perhaps you simply read God’s Word because you are supposed to read it? If you have a poor spirit about the Word, ask God to help you change your thinking, so that you can approach it as you might approach a silver mine or the way you would search your house, trying to find that $100 bill that isn’t where you thought you put it yesterday.