February 2nd – Proverbs 2

“My son, if you will receive my words and hide my commandments with you, so that you attend to wisdom, you shall extend your heart to understanding; yea, if you cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you shall understand the fear of Jehovah and find the knowledge of God.” - Proverbs 2:1-5

This passage reveals more than a passing interest in wisdom and knowledge and its benefits. Look at the intensity of the pursuit!

“If you will receive my words and hide my commandments with you, so that you attend to wisdom, you shall extend your heart to understanding;”

That’s more than simply hearing and forgetting. We’re talking about hearing, taking in and cherishing. This means to hearken unto, regard and give heed to. Translation: OBEY.

“Yea, if you cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding; “

This is a passionate desire for knowledge and understanding! This is a desire that eventually breaks out of the heart (invisible) realm and into the mouth (visible) realm. The Bible says that,

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” - Matthew 12:34

It’s not REAL to you until it fills your heart and comes pouring out your mouth. You’re not really desperate for something until you hear yourself proclaiming your need of it!

“If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures,”

I have been watching this show on the Discovery Channel called “Gold Rush Alaska”. In that show, several men and their families risk EVERYTHING they own in the pursuit of gold. When the Bible tells us to seek Wisdom and knowledge like silver and hidden treasure, it’s saying, “drop everything and pursue her (wisdom), she’ll keep you alive!”

“Then you shall understand the fear of Jehovah and find the knowledge of God. “

Only after posturing ourselves in this kind of extreme seeking are we promised anything. THEN you shall understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

LIFE LESSON?
Today we’re promised a quick fix, microwave solution when the Bible is clear; it takes a REAL and INTENSE pursuit of the things of God to produce the fruit we so desperately need.