Proverbs 24:14

There are only a few sure things – the blessing of wisdom is one of them. If you are disappointed with things in life, pursue wisdom. If you doubt whether seeking wisdom is worth the effort, you are wrong. When you acquire wisdom, you have a treasure that will delight and reward your soul. Nothing can stop its great benefits to you. Get wisdom!

The adverb so connects the previous verse, “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste” (Pr 24:13). Solomon used a metaphor to compare honey and wisdom. Honey is nutritious and delicious (Pr 16:24; I Sam 14:27). Wisdom is pleasant and profitable for the soul, like honey is good and sweet for the body.

This honey metaphor applies to the Bible, for the excellence and sweetness of honey is a proper comparison for the delight and pleasure that God’s words provide for the soul (Ps 19:10; 119:103). Knowing God in the soul is also compared to delicious and rich marrow, which is a delicacy (Ps 63:5-6). Do you know these comparisons by experience, reader?

Wisdom is better than rubies (Pr 3:15; 8:11; 20:15; Job 28:18). Wisdom is better than gold or silver (Pr 3:14; 8:10,19; 16:16; Job 28:14-19; Ps 119:72). Wisdom is far better than anything you can desire (Pr 3:15; 4:7; 8:11). If a fool had made these comparisons, you would disregard his opinion due to his ignorance, but King Solomon wrote them.

Since wisdom is so important and valuable for the soul, how intense are your efforts to find and obtain it? Have you made its foundation, the fear of the Lord, your greatest ambition (Pr 1:7; 9:10)? Have you read the word of God daily for its ability to give you wisdom (Ps 19:7; 119:130)? Have you sought out teachers to help you (Acts 8:30-31)?

God offers wisdom freely and generously (Pr 8:1-5; 9:1-6). He does so by the natural creation, His gracious providence, and your God-given conscience (Pr 20:27; Rom 1:20-22; 2:15; Acts 14:17). But He forces it upon no one. You must put forth effort and seek it with diligent labor and zealous dedication like hunting hidden treasure (Pr 2:1-9; 18:1).

Wisdom has great reward for those who apply it and do it, but not for those who merely observe it, see it, or hear it (Ps 19:11; Luke 8:18; Jas 1:21-25). The things of earth are all disappointing, but wisdom will never disappoint you. It brings a certain and sure reward, and your expectation of success and prosperity will come to pass (Josh 1:7-8; Ps 1:1-3).