The glory of youth

The glory of young men is their strength,
but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
Proverbs 20:29

I’ve reached a stage in life where I can truly appreciate the depth of this proverb. Youth is defined by strength, vitality, enthusiasm, and passion. While individuals of other ages may also possess these traits, it’s typically during youth that this strength shines at its brightest.

The glory of the young lies in their strength.

Generally, a young person doesn’t need to work hard to possess this strength. Some choose to hit the gym to stay in shape, but even the average young individual enjoys a level of vigor and strength unmatched by other life stages.

Though there are exceptions to the rule, Proverbs captures the general truth. Of course, some young people might not experience this strength due to health issues, for instance. But overall, the young posses a unique strength that sets it apart from any other phase of life.

Young people are blessed with the ability to leave a lasting mark on the world (often without even realizing it) thanks to the inherent strength they carry within.

History gives us the example of Alexander the Great, a king who built one of the mightiest empires of his time and achieved extraordinary feats when he was in his twenties, and into his early thirties (he passed away at age of 32).

Young person, your glory lies in your strength.

Proverbs – The fear of the Lord

We are told the purpose of the book of Proverbs in its introduction, which is found in the first seven verses of the first chapter (1:1-7). We learn that the source of true wisdom is the fear of the Lord. We have been looking at the different characteristics of wisdom, things such as prudence, instruction, discretion. These characteristics, taken together, form what the Bible teaches wisdom is. And at the heart of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)

What is the fear of the Lord?

Typically, the fear of the Lord is defined as having a reverence of God. To hold God is high esteem. And this is true. However, the fear of the Lord means more than this. I like to make this point because someone can hold something or someone in high esteem but it wouldn’t necessarily mean someone would build their life on holding something or someone in high esteem.

My definition of the fear of the Lord is this: To know God as creator of all things, and as such, that He knows what is best for us, and therefore we should seek to live according to His will, under his authority and rules; to obey Him and strive to live faithfully to Him.

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
Proverbs 14:26 (ESV)

Having the fear of the Lord as the basis for living a life characterized by wisdom brings a long life.

The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
Proverbs 10:27 (ESV)

The fear of the Lord is also to be preferred whether in riches or in having little.

The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Provers 22:4 (ESV)

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
Proverbs 15:16 (ESV)

Let’s seek and persevere in the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs – Complacency

The word complacency usually carries a negative connotation, and the book of Proverbs is no exception.

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them.
Proverbs 1:32 (ESV)

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines complacency as:

Self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.

An instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction.

Even AI agrees that complacency is not highly esteemed:

The word «complacency» refers to a feeling of self-satisfaction or contentment, often accompanied by a lack of awareness or concern about potential problems or the need for improvement. It can imply a state of being overly comfortable or smug, sometimes leading to negligence or a lack of effort. In certain contexts, it carries a negative connotation, suggesting a dangerous level of unawareness or inaction.

The good news is that the book of Proverbs offers us help.

But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
Proverbs 1:33 (ESV)

This is wisdom personified and talking to us. Foolish complacency will lead to destruction, but wisdom will keep it far and will make its possessor secure and at ease.

Proverbs – Prudence

Prudence is another of the virtues we see in the book of Proverbs. We can notice it from the introduction of the book in its first seven verses of the first chapter.

To give prudence to the simple,
and knowledge and discretion to the youth.
Proverbs 1:4 (ESV)

It can be said, then, that a wise person is a prudent person.

I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
Proverbs 8:12 (ESV)

Let’s look at how prudence is defined.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, prudence is defined as:

The quality of being prudent; carefulness and caution in practical affairs; foresight in decision-making.
Wisdom or good judgment in the management of affairs, especially in avoiding risks or adverse consequences.

A prudent person thinks and considers the consequences before speaking or acting.

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
Proverbs 18:2 (ESV)

The opposite of prudence is imprudence. It can be said that imprudence is not thinking and not considering the consequences before speaking or acting.

Perhaps it is not so easy to observe prudence in people. But it is easier to observe imprudence in the way people speak or act. So, when we observe the way imprudent people speak and act, we can know what not to do.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Proverbs 14:29 (ESV)

Let’s pursue prudence.

My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion.
Proverbs 3:21 (ESV)

Proverbs – Instruction

The use of the word instruction is prominent in the book of Proverbs. We are told right away in the introduction of the book that the purpose of the book is to know instruction.

To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight.
Proverbs 1:2 (ESV)

It could be said, then, that the wise person is one who has learned instruction. The wise person has heard, understood, received, and practices the instruction received. Likewise, it could be said that the unwise person is one who does not like instruction.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

«The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.»

This Biblical truth about how necessary instruction is can be observed in any environment we find ourselves in. In any place where there are people (adults, children, the elderly), we can notice who is wise or foolish by considering who values or despises instruction.

The book of Proverbs makes it absolutely clear how important instruction is in people’s lives. Because receiving instruction brings life.

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
Proverbs 4:13 (ESV)

Despising instruction ultimately leads to death.

He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Proverbs 5:23 (NKJV)

It is easy to see how people value or despise instruction. It is harder to see it in our own lives. But the book of Proverbs offers help for all, even to us.

Proverbs – Discretion

The first seven verses of the first chapter of the book of Proverbs provide a brief introduction and the overall purpose of the book. From the very introduction, we see that discretion is presented as a virtue closely tied to wisdom. It could be said, then, that a wise person also practices discretion. Let us look at what the Word of God says:

“To give prudence to the simple,
to the young man knowledge and discretion.”
– Proverbs 1:4 (ESV)

We can start by defining discretion. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, discretion is: 1. The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing confidential information. 2. The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.

The term discretion is often associated with speech, but the Oxford definition also highlights that it encompasses behaving with care and making judicious decisions. This aligns with the Bible’s teaching that discretion is a virtue.

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.”
– Proverbs 8:12 (ESV)

Throughout the book of Proverbs, discretion is shown to guide people in navigating life. Here are some examples:

It protects and watches over individuals (Prov. 2:11).
It delivers from those with harmful or bad intentions (Prov. 2:16).
It helps people refrain from reacting to an offense (Prov. 19:11).

The absence of discretion is viewed unfavorably in Scripture. Proverbs offers a striking image of this:

“Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.”
– Proverbs 11:22 (ESV)

The book of Proverbs encourages us to pursue and retain the virtue of discretion:

“My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion.”
– Proverbs 3:21 (ESV)