The Nugget:
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (KJV)
Cross References for Proverbs 4:7
from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is: Ecc 7:12, Ecc 9:16, 17, 18; Mat 13:44, 45, 46; Luk 10:42; Php 3:8
with: Pro 16:16, Pro 21:6; Psa 49:16, 17, 18, 19, 20; Ecc 2:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Ecc 4:8; Mrk 8:36, 37; Luk 12:20
get understanding: Psa 119:104
from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is. Pro 8:18, 2Ch 1:10, Job 22:2, *Ecc 7:12; Ecc 9:16, 17, 18, Mat 5:6; **Mat 6:33; *Mat 13:44, 45, 46, Luk 10:42, *Php 3:8.
with all thy getting. Note: Do not be contented merely with the lessons of wisdom, or satisfied with having a sound religious creed; but see that thou comprehend, and rightly apply, all that thou hast learned. Wisdom prescribes the best end, and the means best calculated for its attainment; understanding directs to the ways, times, places, and opportunities of practicing the lessons of wisdom. Wisdom sees, but understanding feels. +*Pro 4:23, Pro 14:18; *Pro 16:16; Pro 18:15; Pro 21:6, *Psa 49:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Ecc 1:13; Ecc 2:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Ecc 4:8, *Mrk 8:36; *Mrk 8:37, *Luk 12:20.
get wisdom. Psa 90:12.
get understanding. +*Psa 119:104.
My Comment:
During my teaching career in the Detroit Public Schools from 1962 until 2001 I posted Proverbs 4:7 as the first “Proverb and Quotation” for my students to keep in their English Notebook.
The book of Proverbs has long been one of my favorite Bible books to read and study. There is much practical wisdom and guidance suitable for everyone in the book of Proverbs. My high school Sunday school teachers (Dean Sawdon and John Boyko) at Highland Park Baptist Church encouraged us to read a chapter each day from Proverbs. I took their advice seriously and for many years did what they suggested.
There is a major problem prevalent among many Christians today that I find to be inexcusable: they are not avid readers of the Bible. God expects His people to be diligent readers of His written word, the Bible.
Reading the Preface to Charles Bridges’ Commentary on the Book of Proverbs this past week informed me that in his day (the early 1800s) few Christians took any interest in reading the book of Proverbs. They found it hard to understand. Most Bible readers then read what to them were the more interesting and familiar parts of the Bible instead. Such Bible readers surely don’t know what they are missing!
From Charles Bridges’ Preface I found a valuable suggestion about reading Proverbs: read it according to the following several topics:
1. The sovereign on the throne is instructed as from God: Proverbs 8:15, 16; 16:10, 11, 12, 13; 20:8, 26; 21:1; 25:2, 3, 4, 5; 28:16; 29:14; 31:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
2. The principles of national prosperity or decay are laid open: Proverbs 11:14; 14:34; 24:6; 28:2.
3. The rich are warned of their besetting temptations: Proverbs 18:11; 23:4, 5; 28:20, 22.
4. The poor are cheered in their worldly humiliation: Proverbs 15:16, 17; 17:1; 19:1, 22; 28:6.
5. Wise rules are given for self-government: Proverbs 4:23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 16:32; 23:1, 2, 3.
6. ‘It bridles the injurious tongue: Proverbs 4:24; 10:31; 17:20; 25:23; 26:20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.
7. corrects the wanton eye: Proverbs 5:20, 21; 6:25, 26, 27, 28, 29; 23:26, 27.
8. and ties the unjust hand in chains,’ Proverbs 18:5; 28:8.
9. It prevents sloth: Proverbs 6:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; 12:27; 13:4; 19:24; 20:4; 24:30, 31, 32, 33, 34.
10. Chastises all absurd desires: Proverbs 21:25, 26.
11. Teaches prudence: [**Proverbs 1:10.] Proverbs 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 14:8, 15, 18; 22:3; 25:6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
12. Raises man’s courage: Proverbs 4:14, 15; 28:1.
13. And represents temperance and chastity after such a fashion, that we cannot but have them in veneration’: Proverbs 5:15, 16, 17, 18, 19 with Proverbs 23:29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. Basil quoted by Bishop Patrick.
14. To come to important matters so often mismanaged–the blessing or curse of the marriage ordinance is vividly portrayed: Proverbs 18:22; 19:14; 31:10 with Proverbs 12:4; 19:13; 21:9, 19.
15. Sound principles of family order and discipline are inculcated: Proverbs 13:24; 14:1; 19:18; 22:6; 23:14, 15; 29:15, 17, 19, 21.
16. Domestic economy is displayed in its adorning consistency: Proverbs 27:23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 31:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
17. Nay–even the minute courtesies of daily life are regulated: Proverbs 23:6, 7, 8; 25:17.
18. Self-denying consideration of others: Proverbs 3:27, 28.
19. And liberal distribution are enforced: Proverbs 11:24; 22:9.
20. All this diversified instruction is based upon the principles of true godliness: Proverbs 31:10, 30.
Charles Bridges concludes his Preface, writing that (citing Psalm 119:9, 11) the author of Proverbs “expressly states the Book to be written for the heeding of youth” (Proverbs 1:4; 4:1).
It takes them as it were by the hand, sets up way-marks to warn against coming danger and imminent temptations (Proverbs 1:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15; 2:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19; 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; 7:1, 2, 3, 4, 5.), and allures them into the bright ways of God by the most engaging motives (Proverbs 3:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18; 8:17).
And never surely was the object so momentous, as at the present day.
Our young are growing up at a period, when “the foundations of the earth are out of course;” and when subtle and restless efforts are making to poison their hearts and pervert their ways.
Nothing therefore can be more important, than to fortify them with sound principles; that, when withdrawn from the parental wing into a world or a Church (alas! that we should be constrained to use the term!) of temptation, they may be manifestly under a Divine cover–the children of a special Providence.
What this invaluable Book impresses upon their minds is–the importance of deep-seated principles in the heart; the responsibility of conduct in every step of life; the danger of trifling deviations for expediency’s sake; the value of self-discipline; the habit of bringing everything to the Word of God; the duty of weighing in just balances a worldly and heavenly portion, and thus deciding the momentous choice of an everlasting good before the toys of earth.
Charles Bridges, Commentary on Proverbs, Preface, pages x and xi.