This proverb isn’t about any specific characters in Proverbs, just another of those good-things-to-know about life wise sayings.

The first phrase says, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich.” We’re not supposed to invest all our thinking, time and energy into getting rich.

First, because all our efforts may just not produce much at all — and it wasn’t a good investment of our time or energy.

Second, we may be able to get riches, but may not be able to hold on to them very long.

Third, wealth isn’t all it is cracked up to be — and very possibly it won’t be able to provide the things that really matter to us.

Fourth, if God wants us to have it, we don’t need to wear ourselves out to try and make it happen. He can handle all that for us!

The second phrase of this wise saying adds some additional information, “Have the wisdom to show restraint.” But, to be honest, this is more of an explanation than a translation.

This phrase actually it consists of just two words in Hebrew: “from-your-own-understanding cease!”

It reminds me of one of my favorite verses in Proverbs (3:5), where the second clause says (in four Hebrew words) “…and lean not on your own understanding.”

Today’s verse suggests we should curb both our actions (“wear yourself out”) and our attitudes (“have the wisdom’). We’re not supposed to succumb to focusing on and going after wealth.

In the end, wisdom is way better than riches — because wisdom will bring sufficient riches along with it…and wisdom will help us appreciate what we do have more…and wisdom will empower us to be able to share our of what we have with others.

Just good things to know!

As seen regularly in Proverbs, verse 1 pairs the qualities “wisdom” and “understanding” together. With wisdom being the key concept in Proverbs, it appears that a connection with wisdom naturally leads to connecting with understanding, as well.

The key concept in Proverbs, we define wisdom as “seeing life from God’s point of view.” Defining understanding as “realizing how right choices lead to a meaningful life,” it’s easy to see how, together, they could make life really meaningful for anyone.

In keeping with the father-son discussions in the book, both qualities are depicted in the feminine. Dad tells his boy to appreciate and treat them like “Lady Wisdom” and “Lady Understanding.”

In our verses, these two “Ladies” are seen yelling (“call out” and “raise her voice”) at key locations around ancient cities — “on the heights along the way,” “where the paths meet” and “beside the gates leading into the city.”

Israelite cities in Solomon’s time had no temples (only Jerusalem) or synagogues (not yet in existence), so these would be the best places to get the attention of the most people (note 1:20-21).

It suggests that Ladies Wisdom and Understanding are out in public, totally accessible and available, actively seeking to develop a relationship with any and all who will pay attention!

We don’t have to be intellectuals, highly educated, rich, famous, powerful or know all the right people to hook up with them. Instead they’re in the streets looking for us!

We’re familiar with immoral women in the streets, so it’s good to know that these two great character qualities – personified as women – are also out there actively seeking anyone who might be interested.

It happened to me!

The only explanation for all that’s happened in my life the past four decades can only be explained by the truth that God’s Wisdom and Understanding are really available to anyone willing and ready to receive them.

These three verses are a unit addressed to the “sluggard” – a lazy person and regular character in Proverbs. The way it reads, this may have been a well-known wise saying in Solomon’s time.

“Sluggard” person was told “go to the ant” (mentioned in Proverbs only here and 30:25) — a pretty simple task for someone with nothing else to do.

And, based on ancient living conditions, it probably wasn’t hard to find an ant scurrying around — even in the king’s palace where Solomon lived. So our lazy one wouldn’t have to go very far or look too hard to start this little project.

He or she was also supposed to “consider its ways and be wise.” The end of this exercise was for them to gain wisdom…from an ant!

In case they didn’t know exactly what to be considering, a couple of hints were offered, “it has no commander, no overseer or ruler” (:7). The ant has no recognizable boss and yet stays busy, seemingly, always knowing to do the next right thing.

If lazy person watched long enough, he or she’d observe that ant – without recognizable oversight — “stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest” (:8).

“Harvest” is when everyone gathers provisions for the year. “Summer” (:8; also see 30:25) is when there isn’t so much (see also 10:5)…but ant can always find something!

So, if this little dude was smart enough and sufficiently capable to do this kind of preparation and take care of itself…grownup lazy person should be able to do it, too!

This entire chapter is instruction from father to son about the value of marriage and the folly of infidelity. This verse is the first of the final three in the chapter which offer a sobering conclusion to the discussion.

We all need to remember that, in the end, “a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.” God sees all we do.

The “ways” and “paths” of this proverb are literally about the roads a person is traveling…where he/she stops…who he/she meets along the road…and what happens. God sees it all!

It’s just a sober reminder that He knows all that’s been going on. The following two verses note there will be consequences to our negative thoughts and actions.

It can all be a bit unnerving!

But, while this verse notes He’s watching, the rest of the Bible makes it clear that He does so because He loves us and is going to take care of us.

As He watches, he sees the bad things others do to me — and He’ll handle it for me! He also sees the struggles and pains I’m going through — and He will strengthen and empower me!

And, finally, He keeps His eye on me — to save me from myself! While that might include some discomfort…it will be for my own good!

As father again instructs his son (:1) about how to get the most out of life, he focuses on “wisdom” (see :2, 6, 10). Our verse starts an extended wise saying about how wisdom can save us from bad men (:12-15)…and, later, from bad women (:16-19)!

“Save,” deliver, rescue and spare from bad situations is what God’s wisdom (:6) can do for us. In this section it’s saving us from people’s “wicked ways” and “perverse words.”

“Ways of wicked men” suggests what they do, how they act. To be “saved” from this might involve being delivered from things they’re trying to do to me…or “save” me from living and acting like them.

“Men whose words are perverse” is about crooked, twisted or, literally, “turned upside down” words. What they say just can’t be trusted.

Again, wisdom will “save” me from what they say to or about me…or “save” me from learning to think and talk like them.

It’s so easy for us to get caught up in what other people are doing or saying. But our victory will not come by focusing on them or how to outsmart them.

This verse says wisdom will handle it for us. I just need to be willing to keep my focus on God’s Wisdom — not on their ways and words.

The first chapter of Proverbs sets the stage for the rest of the book. Consequently, mentions here tend to have special significance.

In this verse we have the first appearance of the phrase “my son” — a favorite in Proverbs. “My son” was frequently used in ancient wisdom literature and is suggested to often represent teacher-to-student instruction.

But it’s first used here — at the very beginning of the book — in conjunction with “your father” and “your mother” suggests s family setting. I think it also puts the entire book in the realm of wisdom to be taught, learned and practiced in the context of family relationships.

Our verse is the first in a two-verse wise saying — here “the What,” the next verse offering “the Why.”

The “What” involves two parallel commands (“listen” and “do not forsake”) — the second commands in the book (see 1:5).  The instructions are “listen…to your father’s instructions and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”

Especially in this first section of the book (chapters 1-9), paying attention to father’s instruction is the most frequently given command (see 1:10, 15; 2:1; 3:1, 11; 4:1, 3, 10, 20: 5:1, 7, 20; 6:1, 3, 20; 7:1, 24).

Listening to mother isn’t mentioned nearly as often (only 6:20). But I’ll suggest its appearance right here — at the very beginning — indicates it’s importance.

Consequently, I find it fascinating that the last chapter of Proverbs (31) is also instruction from mother. While dad talks a lot throughout the whole book — in the end — momma gets the last word!