Proverbs 2:1-9, God, the Fount of Wisdom – The Seeking!
January 16, Proverbs 2:1-9
Job 28:1-28
“Ye have an unction (a grace-gift) from the Holy One, and ye know all things” (1 Jn. 2:20).
God, the Fount of Wisdom – The Seeking!
The Source is in God (2:6). The seeking is set out in 2:1-4. Again we have the familiar My son, if! O, what a challenge is this if. We have some idea what it takes to win “gold” at the Olympics, for a corruptible crown (1 Cor. 9:25). Dare we put forth less effort for the incorruptible crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8)? In our verses today we have:
- The Grasp of God’s Wisdom. Eight graphic verbs trace for us what this grasp requires. That’s a lot of action, yes, but do we mean business for God or not? Let us:
a. Receive God’s words (v.1) taking hold of them because of Who He is and who and what we are. His wisdom is revealed in His Word written, the Bible, and in His living Word, Jesus Christ. We must come to receive with humility, penitence, and thankfulness.
b. Reserve, hide (v.1), store up my [God’s] commandments. Like David, hide them in our hearts that we might not sin against God (Ps. 119:11). Let us reserve our innermost being, our heart of hearts to be the seedbed for God’s revealed truth to flourish.
c. Regard it by inclining our ears to hear (v.2). This verb means to sharpen the ear, pay close attention to, listen carefully. If we regard the words of men, how much more ought we to hear attentively, that is, hold in highest regard, God’s precious wisdom.
d. Reach-out, (v.2) stretch out, incline, bend every effort. The uncertainties and perplexities of life are beyond us. Not only must the outer organ (ear) listen, but the heart, the inner organ of affection and intellect needs this wisdom to put our trials and triumphs to the right use. We need to reach out to take in more of what God alone can provide.
e. Rouse to cry after (v.3), earnestly pray for true discernment. We must believe God for it. God waits to be asked, and, therefore, we are commanded to cry to Him (Ps. 130:1). Wisdom just doesn’t drop into our laps while we snooze in our rockers.
f. Raise, offer-up your voice (v.3) for understanding. This verb means to give, to deliver over into the power of another. Here we are to give over our voice that He may raise us up to speak as men with understanding, with wisdom at full strength (1 Cor. 14:20).
g. Require, seek urgently (v.4). This is the way a prospect or inventor works. How appropriate, then for one earnestly seeking Diving Gold? Are you willing diligently to explore the deep things of God, and share your discoveries with others (2 Pet. 3:18)?
h. Resolutely grasp Wisdom (v.4)! You know it’s there, and may turn up with the next dig. So continue to search as for hid treasures even if it means going back over the same ground, for only thus will you find the treasure. It is not enough to read the Bible in a group. If we would resolutely search, we must often be alone with our Bible and God (2 Pet. 1:13). Then, apply yourself wholly to the Word, and the Word wholly to yourself.
Thought: “Wisdom is easy to him that understands” (Richard Sibbes).
Prayer: Make me diligent, devoted and determined enough to grasp God’s Wisdom.