Proverbs 2:9

In this verse, we purposefully left this one separate. Solomon is ending this context from Proverbs 2:1-8. There is a natural flow and outline in this text, and I wish to point it out.

Proverbs 2:1-4 is the conditional clause of seeking receiving and hearing.

Proverbs 2:5 is the conditional result of Proverbs 2:1-4.

Proverbs 2:6-8 is the method and ways in which Proverbs 2:5 is made possible.

Then we come to Proverbs 2:9 which gives the summation.

As we said before in dealing with Proverbs, the world clambers for their sense of what is right, just, and equality. We have spent time dealing with this in detail where we said before, the world’s version of these things is everything but Biblical or Godly. Instead, their concepts are fueled by the very fires of hell to begin with.

But here, in Proverbs 2:9, we have true righteousness. This word has the idea of being in right standing. Not just doing one or two things right, but a life that sits in a place of being right. The only one who can declare righteousness or if someone is righteous is God Himself. Many look at the Old Testament as nothing but judgment but they miss the sweet nuggets of truth buried in it. This is never more evident than Isaiah 61:10. It is God who declares who is in right standing before Him. The world looks at themselves and try to declare themselves right simply by their own standards. This will do nothing for their eternal soul. The works they do to try and make the world better, the pushes they make to “liberate” different classes of people, and on and on, is all done so they can feel they have done enough to make themselves righteous. This is why Matthew 7:21-23 is such a death blow. These people do all of these things and they look good. But it never brought them to the point of salvation and true righteousness before God. The sad reality of this is they often believe they are serving God but this god is a god of their own making. Not the God of the Bible, the King of kings and Lord of lords. They face an eternity in hell because they rather serve their god than THE GOD.

But here in Proverbs 2:9 we have true justice. This justice is the justice that is found only in God Himself (Deuteronomy 32:4). Please understand, God establishes governments (Romans 13:1-7). They are to be the sword in the hand of God to punish evil and reward good. But as we see in all earthly governments, including ours here in the US, true justice is manipulated, twisted, and reconfigured to reflect, not true Justice that is found in God, but a pseudo-justice that does nothing but elevate a select few, or the politically favored. This is not justice or just. The blindfold on “lady justice” has slipped. But Christians are able to see through the facade of this false justice and we know that true justice will come on all. No matter how high the position or low the status, all will stand before God under HIS JUDICIAL JUDGMENT (Christians at the Bema Seat in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, and all unsaved at the Great White Throne in Revelation 20:11-15). It will be, not only into eternity, but even in the Millennial reign of God that Jesus Himself will be the world’s leader who will rule with an iron fist and with truth, mercy and justice, over every affair of man (Revelation 20:4-6; 21:3; Psalm 72:1-4, 11; 89:14).

But here in Proverbs 2:9, lastly, we have true equality, or equity as the Scriptures say. God is a God who will have true equality. The equality our nation demands today is not equality. In lifting up one perceived special class, they, by the very nature, must lower another class making them the oppressed. There is, in the very act of attempting equality, inequality. Look at the social, political and economical system today. There is a push for equality, but if you disagree with what is being propped up, then you are the one who is put down, and attacked. That is not equality by any stretch of the imagination. But God is the very essence of equality. Under God, all are created by Him, in His image (Genesis 1:26-28; Proverbs 22:2). All have a responsibility, regardless of what anyone else will or will not do (Matthew 25:14-30). All will be handled in an equal way with no partiality shown to anyone (Romans 2:11). All will be required to bow the knee in submission to God now, or judgment under God later (Romans 14:10-12). Then this mess of “equality” we see done today will be cleared up, for God sees us either as those who are His, or those who are not (Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:11-22).

Yet, Proverbs 2:9 does not end there. Notice in the ending of the passage, we see there is the good path. Every good path. The world is looking for the direction. They are looking for the road to find peace, contentment, joy, hope, assurance. But they seek in all the wrong places. They hope to get this from governments, from economics, from “spiritual religions and experiences.” Indeed, the religions of the world offer their answer to the quest for these things, but while it excels at answering one part, it leaves the other undone. Only in Christianity, and in Jesus Christ will there be the firm foundation (Matthew 7:24-25), the solid rock (Romans 9:33), the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), the joy (Proverbs 10:28) and hope (1 Peter 1:3-6). This is the answer to what the world is looking for. But this path is not going to be well trodden (Matthew 7:13-14).

If we truly take the wisdom from God, listen and heed the wisdom from the book of Proverbs, which God inspired and has preserved for us, in His Word, we will see the good path. And as we walk that path we will have the Light of the Word of God showing us that indeed, all His ways are good (Psalm 119:105). But it goes further. As we walk His path for us, which leads toward Him, we will find that the paths are not the paths we chose, but are led by the Holy Spirit. What are these good paths?

They are the paths that are led by God (Psalm 17:5). They are the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3). They are the paths that are rich and full of abundance (Psalm 65:11). They are paths that lead to the right way (Proverbs 4:11). They are the paths that are seen and upright in the eyes of God (Isaiah 26:7). And they are the paths of true peace (Isaiah 59:8).

So, today, we are faced with a choice. Just as Proverbs 2:1-4 is the condition, we have this same condition. We can ignore the call, and then Proverbs 2:5-9 will not be applied to us. Or we can heed the call, turn to Jesus Christ. Seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:33), and we will find ourselves truly understanding and known wisdom, truth, justice, equality, righteousness, and salvation.