Proverbs 9:11. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
This is a good place for us to review how to read the book of Proverbs.
The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom statements that sound like promises. For example, Proverbs 9:11 sounds like it is promising a longer life for those who are wise. Your days will be multiplied and years will be added.
But proverbs aren’t meant to be read as promises that are guaranteed to come true. Rather, they are principles that often do come true, but not always. Yes, it is true that a wise person is more likely to have a healthy, happy life than the foolish person, and maybe even live longer. But it is also very true that bad things still happen to wise people. Many very wise and godly people have not always lived a long time. Like Jesus. He was only in his 30s when he was crucified, yet he was the wisest person ever.
We have seen throughout this devotional that wisdom in the Bible is not limited to the mindset we gain as we know, fear and trust God. We have seen that wisdom is a person. In Proverbs, wisdom is personified as Lady Wisdom, calling out, inviting us to herself. In the New Testament we are told that Christ is the fullness of the wisdom of God. He IS wisdom personified.
When we see Christ as our wisdom we can read Proverbs 9:11 through new eyes. For by Jesus your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
Now that IS a promise. The promise of not just a longer life, but eternal life.
You: Have you been reading the proverbs as promises or principles?
You in Christ: Do you see wisdom as something you must gain, or something that you have in Christ? In what way are both of these true at the same time?
Christ in you: Is there a situation you are facing today that the wisdom of Christ and his cross can guide you through? What would loving self-sacrifice look like in this particular situation?
Pray: Father, you promise that I can have eternal life through your son. Jesus is my true, life giving wisdom. Help me to trust him rather than my own ability to be wise. Amen.
To Live is Christ 