Chapter 5: Forsake Not the Law of Thy Mother
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life (Pro. 6:20-23).
Solomon had great respect for his mother. When Solomon became King his mother Bath-Sheba came to see him. We read that: the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand ( I Kings 2:19). In the book of Proverbs in the 31st chapter Solomon recorded Bath-Sheba’s advice to her son Lemuel (another name for Solomon). In conjunction with his mother’s advice, Solomon wrote a description of the Virtuous Woman. The description of the virtuous woman is a spiritual metaphor for the bride of Christ, but it was most likely inspired by the testimony of Solomon’s own mother. Solomon held his mother in high esteem; however, in reference to the statement, the law of thy mother, Solomon was referring to Wisdom.
Solomon begins the second chapter of Proverbs writing as a Father addressing his children, saying: Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee (Prov. 2:1-9). Solomon chose to personify Wisdom as a woman, a woman charged with the ability to nurture, instruct, correct and guide. These responsibilities define the role of a mother.
Wisdom is to be bound around our neck, symbolizing a constant presence that governs our life. Exalt her, and she (will) promote thee.
Climbing the Ladder
There is a vision that was shown to Jacob that is a descriptive illustration of how God chooses to interact with mankind. And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of (Gen.28:10-15). The vision that God gave to Jacob was of a tool that is used to climb to heights that otherwise would be unreachable. A ladder that extended from the earth to the heavens, and on the ladder were angels (messengers of God), ascending and descending. And the Lord God stood above it all. The vision portrays help descending, and petitions of men ascending. Both messages were carried by the angels. Petitions for help ascending, and Wisdom descending.
James, in his epistle, explains: the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace (James 3:17-18). The vision of the ladder introduced the idea that there is “A Way” which connects the earth to the heavens. The ladder is a metaphor for the life of Jesus.
The wisdom that descends the ladder is Heavenly Wisdom, and it is aptly defined by James. Wisdom from above is pure, it is peaceable and gentle, it is easy to accept because it is filled with mercy and the good fruit of God’s spirit. Heavenly Wisdom is impartial, in that it is accessible to all, and it has no hidden agenda. Heavenly Wisdom will produce fruits of righteousness in our life, and it will bring peace to those who surrender to it.
There is also a wisdom that comes from the earth. James described earthly wisdom as well: But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work (James 3:14-16). James’s explanation shows that earthly wisdom comes with both partiality and hypocrisy. It appeals to the baser side of our nature, and it produces contention and strife.
Paul, in his first epistle to the church at Corinth also warned about earthly wisdom: For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence (I Cor.1:26-29). Those that pride themselves on being wise in the ways of the flesh, and in the ways of the world, have no ear for Heavenly Wisdom. Earthly wisdom has taught them how to astutely navigate in this world to their profit, and they are satisfied with that.
Earthly wisdom is not ascendent, it does not elevate man above his nature. Earthly wisdom is not represented as a ladder. Perhaps, an appropriate illustration, would portray earthly wisdom as a tunnel. A process whereby you choose to dig deeper into the earth to be able to arrive at your chosen destination unseen. Earthly wisdom draws man deeper into the earth.
Rungs on the Ladder
The rungs on a ladder are not distinguishable from one another based on their location in the ladder. You could not look at a table full of rungs and say, “This one is clearly a top rung, and this one is clearly a middle rung.” The point of the ladder, as a metaphor, is that it represents a connection from the earth to the heavens. The focus is on the ‘ascension’, elevating ourselves above our earthly nature by the aid of Heavenly Wisdom. Heavenly Wisdom is ascendant, it elevates those who receive it by providing another Spirit to guide their lives.
Wisdom Calling
The eight and ninth chapters of the book of Proverbs focuses on Wisdom’s desire to be heard, and then transitions to Wisdom speaking in the first person. Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?…Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man (Pro.8:1,4). Wisdom, in this context, is comparable to the gospel invitation. Wisdom is crying out and is offering itself to mankind.
The same invitation is clarified by Jesus in the New Testament when he said: Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest (Mat.11:28). Also, when Jesus on the last great day of the feast (spoke) saying: If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink (Jn.7:37). The invitation was, Come and partake.
The vision of the ladder that was given to Jacob was fulfilled by the life of Jesus. In the statements of invitation that Jesus made we see Jesus embodying Jacob’s vision. Jesus is the Ladder and he is Wisdom.
Disciples of Wisdom
Heavenly Wisdom teaches us that we are disciples, not masters. A disciple is a student following the discipline of a teacher. Those that seek Wisdom become students in the discipline of Wisdom. We are choosing to be led, instructed and corrected by the message that descends the ladder. It is a lifelong commitment.
The ninth chapter of Proverbs, Wisdom is speaking and Wisdom says: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding (Pro. 9:4-6).
The pursuit of Wisdom requires an acceptance that we will need constant instruction and correction. We feed on Wisdom, consequently we learn how to forsake the foolish way and walk in the way of understanding. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning (Pro. 9:9). Wisdom teaches us that we will always be a student.
Jesus gave the same instruction using a different illustration: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Mt.7:13-14). The use of the word strait as opposed to straight, introduces a nautical term which implies the need for navigation. A strait is: a narrow channel of water connecting two larger bodies of water (AHD 5th Ed.) In order to pass through a strait the Capitan must be vigilant and navigate with caution.
The path of Wisdom is strait and narrow. This path requires constant navigation and course correction to ensure that we pass through the strait gate.
Wisdom’s knowledge
Wisdom, being bound around our neck, becomes the source of light that enlightens our path. Wisdom will provide knowledge. Knowledge is developed in three ways: through information, observation, and experience. Wisdom will supply us with the information necessary to free us from foolish ways. Wisdom will also provide us the discernment that is required to learn by observation. But, experience is the best teacher. Walking with Wisdom, having Wisdom bound about our neck will bring the understanding of the Holy.
Conclusion
Jacob’s vision of a ladder teaches us that it is possible to rise above our earthly ways by the aid of Heavenly Wisdom. Solomon was clear in his counsel: My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life. Do not forsake the law of thy mother.