Proverbs 4:7 (Mini Sermon)

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1.      Pro 4:7 – “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

1. Wisdom is the principal thing;
2. Wisdom n. – 1. a. Capacity of judging rightly in matters relating to life and conduct; soundness of judgement in the choice of means and ends; sometimes, less strictly, sound sense, esp. in practical affairs: opp. to folly.
3. Principal adj. – 1. First or highest in rank or importance; that is at the head of all the rest; of the greatest account or value; foremost: = chief a.

iii.    Wisdom (the ability to make sound judgments, choices, and decisions) is the most important thing that we can obtain in life.

1. This makes sense because life is an accumulation of decisions.
2. If a man makes the best decisions possible throughout his life, he will have the best life possible.
3. This is why the scripture exalts wisdom so highly (Pro 3:15; Pro 8:11; Pro 16:16).
4. therefore get wisdom:
5. Therefore – II. (Now always spelt therefore, and stressed) 2. In consequence of that; that being so; as a result or inference from what has been stated; consequently. Formerly sometimes unemphatic (esp. in versions of N.T.) = THEN 5.
6. Because wisdom is the most important thing, we are commanded to get

iii.    Get v. – I. trans. To obtain, procure. 1. a. To obtain possession of (property, etc.) as the result of effort or contrivance.

1. Notice that this is an imperative, not a suggestive, statement.
2. This is the second time we are commanded to “get wisdom” in the book of Proverbs which demonstrates its importance (Pro 4:5).
3. and with all thy getting get understanding.
4. To get something requires effort.
5. Thus the Lord is telling us to use as much effort as we can muster to get understanding.

iii.    Understanding is the intelligence that gives a man the ability to comprehend the meaning and idea of things by knowing the meaning of words.

1. Understanding – 1. a. (Without article.) Power or ability to understand; intellect, intelligence.
2. Understand – 1. To comprehend; to apprehend the meaning or import of; to grasp the idea of. b. To be thoroughly acquainted or familiar with (an art, profession, etc.); to be able to practise or deal with properly. 2. To comprehend by knowing the meaning of the words employed; to be acquainted with (a language) to this extent.
3. In other words, the Lord is telling us to use all the energy we have to get smart through understanding His word by learning the meaning of His words.
4. Getting understanding allows us to get knowledge (Pro 15:14) and get wisdom (Pro 14:33; Pro 17:24).
5. Hence the reason that “with all thy getting” we should “get understanding.”