Proverbs 4:10

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about long life based upon wise choices:

Proverbs 4:10 (ESV)

Hear, my son, and accept my words,

that the years of your life may be many.

My mother used to have a saying, "that only the good die young."   However, as dedicated to the Scripture as any mother, I know she must have missed the countless times Solomon stated something similar to the above verse.   Notice the following:

Proverbs 3:2 (ESV)

for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

Proverbs 3:16 (ESV)

Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

Proverbs 9:11 (ESV)

For by me your days will be multiplied,

and years will be added to your life.

Proverbs 10:27 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

Psalms 91:16 (ESV)

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

Those who trust in God are given some hope of life on this earth and the one to come.   Now, we can spiritualize this and make the "years of your life will be many" to include eternity, but I think that is missing the point of the comparison between wisdom and folly.  Notice the following in regard to a comparative life style:

Proverbs 10:27

The fear of the Lord prolongs life,

But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

There is plenty of evidence that shows that God is looking out for the life of the faithful and prolongs it, while at the same time He is telling the wicked their life will be shortened.   My mother was a godly women that I loved dearly.   But she got her saying wrong.  This does not mean the wicked die young.  It means wisdom makes for wise choices. Wise life choices make for less pitfalls.  Less pitfalls equals less chances of dying young.  Those who have God’s wisdom do not have a guarantee of long life.  But if they are being guided by the wisdom of God they will more wise choices and less foolish choices.  Solomon is not guaranteeing long life.  He is guaranteeing the value that wise choices, living on God’s wisdom, can bring to our lives.