When somebody sees something that is very valuable, he will pursue it. Before a couple is married, for example, the man will try to impress his girlfriend. He will put in the time and effort to try to convince her that he’s a good catch. The same thing would be true about a person who wants a high-paying career. He will pursue the education and experience that is needed for that position.

In Proverbs 4, Solomon is telling his son about something that is very valuable. It is wisdom. It comes from God and His Word (Prov 1:7).

If the son could see wisdom’s value, he would pursue it. In verses 5-7, Solomon equates wisdom with understanding. Three times in these verses he repeats his admonition to acquire it. This happens twice in verse 5. One can almost hear the father yell: “Get wisdom! Get understanding!” To emphasize how valuable it is, Solomon repeats himself and again, in verse 7, yells: “Get wisdom.”

The author of a commentary on these verses said that it was as if Solomon were walking in the marketplace with his son. As the son was considering what to buy, Solomon told him that if he was going to purchase just one thing, it should be wisdom. Solomon calls it the most important or the “principal” thing (v 7). He compares it to life itself (v 13).

Did Solomon’s son realize how valuable the wisdom of God’s Word is? I don’t know. But if he did, he would have pursued it the way a young man pursues a fiancé he loves.

The Lord would pick up this theme of wisdom and God’s Word. His words are the words of God. He was talking to His disciples on one occasion and said: “Who then is that faithful and wise steward…?” (Luke 12:42). He started another of His teaching sessions with the very same words (Matt 24:45).

In Proverbs 4, wisdom is to be pursued. In Luke 12 and Matthew 24, the Lord speaks of the one who has done so. He has become a wise person. And what does wisdom tell him to do? In both NT passages, it is to pursue eternal rewards. Wisdom causes us to desire to be found pleasing to the Lord when He returns. All believers will be in the kingdom. But wise believers—those who seek His approval—will be great in that kingdom. Wisdom allows us to see that. There is not a more valuable way to live one’s life.

What do we consider the most important thing in our lives? Whatever it is, we will pursue it. Imagine walking through a very large marketplace, looking for something to buy. You would see all kinds of goods. Solomon and the Lord said that you should keep your money until you find the stall that sells the wisdom found in God’s Word. Whatever its cost, buy it. Get it! Take it home and meditate on it. It will make you wise.

And when it does, you will know what you want. It will be hearing the Lord say, “Well done you wise servant!” when you see Him face to face.

Nothing in the world’s marketplace can compare to that (Prov 8:11).