Proverbs 2:1-8
Wisdom. Insight. Understanding.
How does the author regard these things? With complacency? Passivity? Not at all! Do these things “just happen”? Do they just appear out of nowhere? No! The author makes it very clear that wisdom, insight, and understanding require intentionality. They are to be attended to, searched for, asked for. They are to be sought out diligently, as for treasure. Only then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (v. 5)
Can we honestly say that we share the author’s perspective? Do we seek [understanding] like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures? (v. 4) I’d like to say, “Yes. All the time.” But a more accurate answer would be, “Kind of. Occasionally.” I think I have some work to do…
Gladly, the LORD is the ultimate Source of wisdom, and with it He provides protection:
For the LORD gives wisdom;
Proverbs 2:5-8
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a Shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of His saints.
That is where I want to be. How about you?
Seven nouns jumped out at me today: Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment (insight); righteousness, justice, and equity. Given everything that John says, when we truly seek the Lord’s wisdom, we are seeking the first four of those nouns above with the result that the last three (righteousness, justice, and equity) are granted to us (v. 9). [Yeah, I had to move forward one verse beyond today’s schedule for this observation.] That is, as we seek wisdom we are not seeking it for its own merits; we are seeking wisdom for a much higher aim, for the benefit of all of humanity. Further, as we seek Jesus all the more and come to know Him better (wisdom!), then as we grow closer to Him we have the opportunity of also improving the lives of each and every person we meet. Seek wisdom; seek Jesus!