Proverbs 4

In Proverbs 4, the first 13 verses talk about holding fast to wisdom and instruction while the rest of the chapter discussed avoiding sin and comparing how the righteous are blessed and the wicked are not blessed.

Most of this chapter seems like just generally good information. But like the book of Esther, the Lord isn't explicitly mentioned. The lesson - the anchor to Christ has to be us. We have to be close to Christ to see him. Luckily, in this chapter, verse 22 has a footnote on the word "life" that points to Matthew 19:17, which ends with "but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments".

This shifts the lens of wisdom and instruction from a temporary practicality to something more permanent. The words of God are the true words of wisdom that we are being encouraged to hold fast to, and they lead the way back to our Father and eternal life.

We have been blessed with the agency to choose. One of the most important choices we will ever make is which foundation to build on. Do we choose the sand, composed with grains from the wisdom of the wise, or do we choose the Rock, which stands forever? Wisdom founded in the word of God and not the arm of man will keep us firmly planted when the rains come down and the floods come up.