Jesus taught us to "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14). And Moses instructed Israel to "be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left" (Deuteronomy 5:32). The faithful Christian is exhorted to walk the straight and narrow way that leads to life. But what is the narrow way, and what is the straight path? 

In the book of Proverbs we get practical and tangible insight in walking in a narrow and straight way while avoiding the ditches of death. We find the biblical principle of heavenly wisdom. Heavenly wisdom which allows us to graciously apprehend the transcendence of the Lord’s revealed character which transforms our hearts to love, rejoice, and obey God’s revealed commands. As a father challenges and comforts a son through words of wisdom, so Proverbs speaks to the children of God words of protection and edification. 

In Proverbs we encounter a contrasting paradigm between wisdom and foolishness, life and death, righteousness and unrighteousness, riches and poverty, honor and shame, rewards and punishments, understanding and simplicity, and order and chaos. To rightly navigate between the contrasts God's people need his Wisdom and his Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:30; 12:8). Outside of the Son's perfect walk and the Spirit's imparted wisdom we are fools walking the path of death and unrighteousness. To not follow the Son's path is true foolishness that leads to destruction.