Solomon began Proverbs 2 with the Command of Pursuit that must be done, and will be done, in the life of the wise man. Solomon made use of eight verbs, words of action, that the wise son will do. These eight verbs are a must to have proof of, and to receive, the understanding of “the fear of the LORD”; and to grow and develop in the “knowledge of God.” (See 2 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:15). This is the Requirement.

Then in Proverbs 2:5-9, Solomon gives the Result of exercising these eight verbs in their daily life. The Result will be:

“Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:5)

“Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.” (Proverbs 2:9)

The Reason Solomon said:

1. “The Lord giveth wisdom” (Proverbs 2:6a)
2. “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous” (Proverbs 2:7a)
3. “He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly” (Proverbs 2:7b)
4. “He keepeth the paths of judgment” (Proverbs 2:8a)
5. “(He) preserveth the way of his saints” (Proverbs 2:8b)

Now, in Proverbs 2:10-19, Solomon speaks of “The Action of the Requirement of Preservation”; that is “When wisdom entereth into thine heart” (Proverbs 2:10a).

The subsequent Result of Wisdom entering in the heart is:

1. “Knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul” (Proverbs 2:10b);
2. “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee” (Proverbs 2:11).

In Proverbs 2:10, Solomon gives the secret of “the fear of the LORD” indwelling the sinner. This action has already been stated in previous devotions. But here in Proverbs 2:10, Solomon does not hide the truth of the Action of God in His Sovereign Work of Grace in a person’s spirit; “When wisdom entereth into thine heart.” (See the explanation for Proverbs 2:6.)

But not only is God the Giver of Wisdom; He is the Surgeon that implants Wisdom in the spirit of a person. The implantation is called Regeneration by God the Spirit.

“…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5b)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5)

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

Acts 16:14 says it the clearest:

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” (Acts 16:14)

Man cannot open his own heart concerning spiritual truth. 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 is a proof text of this truth.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Only God can quicken (or make alive) a sinner dead in sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1).

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

Only God can open up a man’s ear to hear and open his eye to see (or perceive) truth.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

But when God implants truth in a person, the Result will be, “knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul” (Proverbs 2:10b). That is, the knowledge of God in you is sweet to the taste:

“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalms 119:103)

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalms 19:7)

“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalms 19:8)

“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” (Psalms 19:9)

“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” (Psalms 19:10)

“Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” (Psalms 19:11)

Why? Because it keeps you, it directs you.

See Proverbs 2:11: “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.” Here Solomon uses “discretion” and “understanding” as synonyms. The reason you have spiritual sense (common sense), or the reason you have spiritual understanding, is because Truth enlightens you to the Right Way, to the Only Way, to the Way of Christ, the Way of Love and Holiness and Peace.

You now, as a Regenerated Child of God, have the discernment (the perception) of the Truth; and you have the Power to choose the Way of Righteousness.

When you choose Righteousness, you choose life and blessings. That is, you choose a Temporal (earthly) Salvation. You are preserved in this life daily from sin, the flesh, and the world. Because you now understand, or perceive:

“Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.” (Proverbs 2:9)

Then Solomon, in Proverbs 2:11-22, gives two distinct Temporal (of this life) Salvation Deliverances:

The Road of Deliverance

A. Proverbs 2:12-15: Deliverance from the Way of the Evil Man

B. Proverbs 2:16-19: Deliverance from the Strange Woman

The Reason of Deliverance

A. Proverbs 2:20: “That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.”