We continue our series on family life through the lenses of Mishlei and the wisdom of Shlomo HaMelech alav hashalom (peace be upon him). Today we will be discussing a Pasuk (verse) in Perek (chapter) Chaf Bet (22) Pasuk Yud Tet (19). Shlomo HaMelech says, “Let your trust be with Hashem. I have made this known to you today. Af ata, you also.” Let us try to understand what Shlomo HaMelech is teaching us in this Pasuk.
You see, the first half of the Pasuk seems clear and understood. Shlomo HaMelech is teaching us to put our trust in Hashem: Lihyot baAdonai mibtahecha (Let your trust be with Hashem). That is clear, and we understand what Shlomo HaMelech is saying. But what does Shlomo HaMelech mean in the second half of the Pasuk? He says, “I have made this known to you today. Yes, you also.” What does he mean to teach us with that?
You see, many times we go through challenges when we have this feeling that there is no way out. “I am completely stuck. I have tried everything. I spoke with everyone, and there is absolutely no hope.” A person feels hopeless and helpless, and feels there is no way to get out of this trouble. Shlomo HaMelech comes and tells this person, “Hodaticha hayom. I have come to inform you today. I want to make this known to you,” says Shlomo HaMelech. “Af ata, you also.” Yes, even you. In this deep situation that you are going through, with this major difficulty, when you feel like you are stuck and there is no way out, Shlomo HaMelech says, “I am directing my words to you. Lihyot baAdonai mibtahecha. Put your trust in Hashem. Yes, af ata, even in your situation. Put your trust in Borei Olam. Put your trust in Hashem.” Rely on Hashem, because there is nothing in the world that Borei Olam cannot take a person out of. There is no difficulty, no trouble that Borei Olam cannot find a solution for. Borei Olam sent you the trouble, Borei Olam sent you that challenge, and Borei Olam has in store the solution and the way out. You just have to rely on Hashem.
Lihyot baAdonai mibtahecha af ata (Let your trust be with Hashem, even you). Let us take the words of Shlomo HaMelech very, very seriously over here. We are hearing words of wisdom from the greatest, the wisest and most intelligent men of the generation. Shlomo HaMelech’s work of Mishlei is not just based on his wisdom, but as there is knowledge. It is not just form honestly. But, as the rabbis tell us, it is based on the Ruach HaKodesh that is within Shlomo HaMelech. It is based on the Holy Spirit that Shlomo HaMelech was able to acquire in his life. And the Musar (ethical instruction)—every single Pasuk that Shlomo HaMelech tells us—comes from his wisdom and comes from his Ruach HaKodesh.
Shlomo HaMelech tells us over here, “I am telling you: take it from me. I know very well how Borei Olam runs his world.” Shlomo HaMelech says, “Put your trust in Hashem, no matter what the situation is. Yes, even you. Even in your deep, deep troubles. Even in your situation. Even in your situation. Even in your situation that you feel there is absolutely no way out.” Shlomo HaMelech says, “Take it from me. I have been very, very experienced. I have seen it all. I have dealt with many, many people. My experience shows me.” And the Ruach HaKodesh that is within Shlomo HaMelech tells us that the way Borei Olam runs this world is: put your trust in Hashem, no matter who you are, no matter what you are going through, no matter what the situation is, no matter how deep and difficult the problem is. Yes, even you.
“I have come to tell you,” says Shlomo HaMelech, “that yes, you put your trust in Hashem. If Borei Olam gave you this problem, Borei Olam has a way out.” There is no situation that Borei Olam puts a person in that has no way out. Every single situation, every challenge, and every problem that Borei Olam sends a person, Borei Olam has already installed. Borei Olam already has set and programmed that challenge and that situation: how to absolve ourselves from it, how to find a solution for it, and how to get out of it. Borei Olam sent it; Borei Olam also could take it away. And therefore, Shlomo HaMelech says, “Put your trust in Hashem. Yes, even you.” Have a wonderful day.