The Way of Understanding (9/7/2025)

“A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead” (Proverbs 21:16).

Although he states it differently, Solomon presents a capsule version of the same message Jesus did when He came to the earth to offer forgiveness and salvation. The “way of understanding” is the truth of God’s word, and the “assembly of the dead” is the gathering place of those who have departed and are awaiting judgment.

For those of us living on this side of the cross, the New Testament presents us with the “way of understanding”: thus, when we come to Jesus in faith and obedience, we receive “rest” from our sins.

Those who “wander” from that way and fail to repent will find themselves “resting” with those who left this world in a spiritually dead condition: that is, they died without either heeding the call of Jesus or staying with Him.

This message, then, offers a warning; but, at the same time, it offers hope and encouragement for those who do not depart from “the way of understanding.” Rather than having to “rest” with the “dead,” by implication they have the assurance of “resting” with those who have accepted the invitation of Jesus.