Provérbios 2

Provérbios 2

Henry - Those who earnestly seek heavenly wisdom, will never complain that they have lost their labor; and the freeness of the gift does not do away the necessity of our diligence, John 6:27. Let them seek, and they shall find it; let them ask, and it shall be given them. Observe who are thus favoured. They are the righteous, on whom the image of God is renewed, which consists in righteousness. If we depend upon God, and seek to him for wisdom, he will enable us to keep the paths of judgment. ><>><>><> Searching For A Rare Jewel - When Betty Goldstein of Staten Island, New York, entered the hospital, her husband Ron wrapped her 3.5-carat diamond ring in a napkin for safekeeping. But in a forgetful moment, the 63-year-old Goldstein threw the napkin in the trash. When he realized his mistake, he dashed outside, only to see the garbage truck rumbling down the street. So he called the local sanitation department and got permission to follow the truck to a transfer station. Workers began sorting through hundreds of garbage bags and recovered the ring an hour later. The writer of Proverbs urges us to search diligently for something far more precious—wisdom. In Pr 2, a father encourages his son to do whatever is necessary to get insight and wisdom. This strenuous search for wisdom is actually a search for God Himself (Pr 2:3-5). In fact, inner happiness comes when man attains this wisdom (Pr 3:13). He encourages his son to search diligently for this rare jewel because wisdom is not usually discovered by the casual observer. Wisdom is discovered and enjoyed only by those who are diligent, devoted, and determined to seek it. Let us devote our whole being to searching for that rare jewel of wisdom. —Marvin Williams More valuable than diamonds rare Is priceless wisdom from above; With purest gold it can’t compare Because it’s filled with truth and love. —D. De Haan With all your getting, get understanding. —Solomon ><>><>><> London music student Richard Steel prized the old violin that had once been his grandfather's. One day Richard tried to help a bus driver who couldn't get close to the curb because of a barrier. Putting aside his old violin, he removed the obstacle. But then the driver, unable to see the books and the violin, drove over them. The crushed books could be replaced. And the old violin, though valued for sentimental reasons, could be replaced too--or could it? As Richard examined his splintered instrument, inside he found the signature of Stradivarius, the greatest of all violin makers. The old violin was a priceless and irreplaceable masterpiece. The Sotheby auction firm estimated that it had been worth more than $700,000. Many families pass treasured Bibles from one generation to the next as spiritual heirlooms. But these treasures are often treated as mere antiques while their pages go unread and their promises remain unclaimed. The message of salvation goes unheeded. Its true value is never realized. The Bible is more than just a record of long-ago events and ancient wisdom. It is the Book that bears God's signature. It is His message of truth and grace to us. Let's not neglect it. Let's read it, believe it, and obey it. --V C G Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine, And jewels rich and rare Are hidden in its mighty depths For every searcher there. --Hodder Many people store the Bible on the shelf instead of in their heart. ><>><>><> Mel Fisher was a treasure hunter who searched for gold and found it. In 1985, after 16 years of looking, he finally discovered the Spanish wreck Nuestra Se-ora de Atocha in 55 feet of water near Key West, Florida. His divers salvaged millions of dollars' worth of treasure from that sunken ship–but it didn't come easy. They toiled long and hard with metal detectors, diving to investigate every metallic "hit." Fisher's dreams and work eventually paid off when he came upon his big find. The Bible describes another kind of treasure as being more precious than gold, silver, or rubies (Pr. 3:14-15). It is wisdom, which is more than knowledge. It's the ability to apply that knowledge to everyday life. Solomon, who asked God for a wise and understanding heart, told us in Proverbs 2 to seek for wisdom with the same persistence and intensity as we would search for hidden treasures (v.4). We must cry out for discernment and understanding (v.3), incline our ear to wisdom (v.2), and receive God's words and treasure them in our heart (v.1). Do we value wisdom? Do we seek it as diligently as if it were gold? If so, we will be rewarded with life's greatest treasure–the knowledge of God. –MRDII What will it profit when life here is o'er, Though great worldly wisdom I gain, If seeking knowledge I utterly fail The wisdom of God to obtain? –Nelson You can gain much knowledge on your own, but true wisdom comes only from God. ><>><>><> Today in the Word - Earlier this year, a nationwide treasure hunt began with the publication of the book, The Clock Without a Face. The story contains clues to find emerald–encrusted numbers from a clock—and in fact, twelve actual numbers have been buried across the United States. If you read the story, follow the clues, and find one of these numbers (with actual emeralds!), you get to keep it. As of this writing, nine of the twelve numbers have been found by people from Texas to Connecticut to Wisconsin. If we’re going to find buried treasure, it’s important to have a map or clues to guide us. Today we’ll begin a series of studies focused on how to grow in the knowledge of God. In our reading, wisdom, knowledge, and insight are compared to hidden treasure; just as we would commit time and energy to uncover buried riches, so too we should commit ourselves to the pursuit of the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:4). The instruction in this passage, first given by David to his son Solomon, exhorts the reader to do two things. The first involves knowing content: “Store up my commands within you” (Proverbs 2:1). Growing in knowledge means knowing the content of God’s Word. This discipline is indispensable for our spiritual growth. But the knowledge of God does not end with the study of content. The second exhortation describes an attitude that hungers for spiritual knowledge and values wisdom. Notice the verbs in Pr 2:3-4: “call out,” “cry aloud,” “look,” and “search.” This is a pursuit for more than just facts. This is a passionate quest to know God. We are instructed to study God’s Word and to desire God’s wisdom. And God does not leave us alone in this endeavor; He engages with our efforts. He promises to bestow His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). In response to our searching, He provides victory and protection. Through our experience of His care and sovereign guidance, we then have the blessings of the knowledge of God. We know His commands and we know His character, and “wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul” (Proverbs 2:10). Apply the Word - The knowledge of God is a treasure that we can find! As you reflect on this passage, ask the Spirit to evaluate your heart. Do you commit time to studying the Word of God? Do you have a passion to grow in His insight and understanding? Perhaps you’ve walked with God for many years, and can testify to your experience of His protection in your life. Share that testimony with others, just as David did with Solomon, to encourage them to grow in the knowledge of God. The following are notes from William Arnot's "Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth" (1858) on Proverbs 2:1-5 - “Seek her as silver.” (Proverbs 2:4) Another and a higher step. The last (Pr 2:3) was the earnest cry; this is the persevering endeavour. The strong cry is not enough: it is a step in the process, but the end is not yet. It might be Balaam’s cry, “Let me die the death of the righteous,” while in life he loved and laboured for the wages of iniquity. Fervent prayer must be tested by persevering pains. Seek wisdom. Not only be inclined to spiritual things, and earnestly desire salvation, but set about it. Strive to enter in; lay hold on eternal life. Work out the salvation. “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” The Christian life is a battle to be fought: the reward at last is a crown to be won. More particularly, the search for wisdom is compared to another search with which we are more familiar. Seek her as silver. Those who seek the treasures that are at God’s right hand are referred to their neighbours who are seeking treasures that perish in the using, and told to go and do likewise. The zeal of Mammon’s worshippers rebukes the servants of the living God. We are invited to take a leaf from the book of the fortune-seeker. Besides the pursuit of money in the various walks of merchandise, there is, in our day, much of a direct and literal search for treasures hid in the earth. A prominent part of our daily public news, for years past, has been the stream of emigration from the settled countries of Europe to the western shores of America, and the great Australian Continent in search of hid treasure. The details are most instructive. Multitudes of young and old, from every occupation, and every rank, have left their homes, and traversed stormy seas, and desert continents, to the place where the treasure lies. Not a few have perished on the way; others sink under privations on the spot. The scorching sun by day, and the chill dews at night; labouring all day among water, and sleeping under the imperfect shelter of a tent; the danger of attack by uncivilized natives on the one hand, and by desperately wicked Europeans on the other,—all these, and a countless multitude more, are unable to deter from the enterprise, or drive off those who are already engaged. To these regions men flock in thousands, and tens of thousands. Those shores lately desolate are in motion now with a teeming population. Search for her as for hid treasure! He knows what is in man. He who made the human heart, and feels every desire that throbs within it, takes the measure of men’s earnestness in their search for silver, and pronounces it sufficient for the object which he has at heart, the salvation of sinners. He points to it as a fit measure of the zeal with which a being, destitute by sin, should set out in the search for the salvation by grace: He intimates this will do—this earnestness, if directed upon the right object. How all this puts to shame the languid efforts of those who do seek the true riches! There may be an inclination on the whole rather to the imperishable riches—a wish to be with Christ rather than left with a passing world for a portion. There may be the desire in that direction, but another question comes in,—what is the strength of that desire? That blessed portion in Christ is what you desire; well, but how much do you desire it? Will not the far-reaching plans, and heroic sacrifices, and long-enduring toil of Californian and Australian gold diggers rise up and condemn us who have tasted and known the grace of God? Their zeal is the standard by which the Lord stimulates us now, and will measure us yet. Two things are required in our search,—the right direction, and the sufficient impulse. The Scriptures point out the right way; the avarice of mankind marks the quantum of forcefulness wherewith the seeker must press on. But the search for hid treasure, which reads a lesson to the Church, is not confined to the gold regions, and the gold diggers. They dig as hard at home. It cannot be told how much of plan and effort, of head and hand, are expended in making money. It is no business of ours here to draw the nice distinctions between the rightful industry of a Christian merchant, and the passage through the fire of Mammon’s child; this is not our present theme at all. What we want is to get our slackness in seeking a Saviour rebuked and quickened by the parallel movement of a more energetic search. Our question here is not how much is gold worth? but is gold worth as much as the grace of God in Christ to a sinner? You answer, No. This is our unanimous reply. It is true in its own nature; and sincerely it is uttered by our lips. Out of our own mouths then will we be condemned, if He who compasseth us about like air in all our ways, feels us striving with our might for the less, and but languidly wishing for the greater. Seek first the kingdom. Those who seek thus shall not seek in vain; we have the word of the true God for it in many promises. Among the gathered multitudes in the great day, it will not be possible to find one who has sought in the right place for the right thing, as other men seek money, and who has nevertheless been disappointed. No doubt there are some who seek after a fashion, and gain nothing by it; who vent a wish to die the death of the righteous, and never attain to the object of their desire: but none fail who seek according to the prescription of the word, and after the example of the world. Many people proceed upon a principle the very reverse of that which the word inculcates: they search for money as if it were saving truth, instead of searching for saving truth as if it were money. These must be turned upside down ere they begin to prosper. (Proverbs 2:4,5 Seek and Ye Shall Find) Proverbs 2:5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. Then - 2 Chronicles 1:10-12; Hosea 6:3; Matthew 7:7,8; Luke 11:9-13 fear - 9:10; Job 28:28; Jeremiah 32:40,41 discover - Jeremiah 9:24; 24:7; 31:34; Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22; John 17:3; 1 John 5:20 WISDOM: HARD-WON! Then (az) means at that time. What time? After we have carried out the seeking, searching, etc described in Pr 2:1-4 (See discussion of the value of observing and interrogating expressions of time) Discern (0995)(bin [see word study]) in this verse describes the ability to grasp, discern or be sensitive to what it means to fear the LORD. The Septuagint (Lxx) translates bin with sunesis which literally means a sending together or a bringing together. Sunesis describes the putting together of the pieces of information received. Sunesis is the ability to understand concepts and see relationships between them. Sunesis describes the faculty of comprehension, intelligence, acuteness, shrewdness. The Fear of the LORD - Jehovah is "objective genitive" or the Object one is to fear and reverence. This phrase is a key note of the Book of Proverbs and is highlighted in the key verse, Proverbs 1:7 - See more discussion at Proverbs 1:7 commentary. Here are the 14 uses of Fear of the LORD in Proverbs Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 2:5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death. Proverbs 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it. Proverbs 14:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility. Proverbs 16:6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life. Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the LORD always. The concept of fear implies reverence, such as a good son would feel toward his godly father. When necessary, of course, God, just as do earthly fathers (cp Heb 12:5-11), may be forced to chastise His disobedient sons. In view of this latter truth there is an added sense in which we fear Jehovah. Specifically, in our humanity, we naturally dread (fear) divine discipline, even though we welcome His life giving reproof (cp Pr 6:23). Discover (04672)(masa) means to find, to attain, to uncover, to find, to find out. E.g., to learn the location of an object (Ge 26:19). To gain or learn information not previously known (1Ki 13:28). The Septuagint (Lxx) translates masa with the verb heurisko which means to find after searching and so to discover (Mt 7:7). Figuratively, heurisko speaks of a spiritual or intellectual discovery gained through observation. Discover (Webster) = Literally means to uncover; to remove a covering. To lay open to the view; to disclose; to show; to make visible; to expose to view something before unseen or concealed. Knowledge (01847)(daat) goes beyond cognition; "it is often used metonymically (cause) for obedience (effect); see, e.g., Pr 3:6, "in all your ways acknowledge Him." This means that the disciple will follow God's moral code; for to know God is to react ethically and spiritually to His will." (NN) The Septuagint (Lxx) translates daat in this passage with epignosis which conveys the thought of a knowledge which is fuller, larger and more thorough. It also conveys the idea of a more intimate and personal relationship than the simple term gnosis. Knowledge (Webster, et al) = Knowledge, according to the OT and NT, is attained through a personal relationship between the subject and the object to be known, rather than the Greek idea of theoretical pursuit through observation. Knowledge is a clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnancy of our ideas. We can have no knowledge of that which does not exist. God has a perfect knowledge of all his works. Human knowledge is very limited, and is mostly gained by observation and experience. Knowledge in the OT connotes an intimate acquaintance with something. Knowledge is the truth or facts of life that a person acquires either through experience or thought. The greatest truth that a person can possess with the mind or learn through experience is truth about God (Ps. 46:10; Jn 8:31–32, Jn 17:3). This cannot be gained by unaided human reason (Job 11:7; Ro 11:33). It is acquired only as God shows Himself to people. Knowledge strictly is the apprehension by the mind of some fact or truth in accordance with its real nature; in a personal relation the intellectual act is necessarily conjoined with the element of affection and will (choice, love, favor, or, conversely, repugnance, dislike, etc.). Knowledge is distinguished from “opinion” by its greater certainty. The mind is constituted with the capacity for knowledge, and the desire to possess and increase it. Knowledge is a state of awareness and understanding, resulting from information which has been obtained or revealed (spiritual knowledge, e.g., God's wisdom must be revealed - see the role of the Holy Spirit our Teacher in 1Cor 2:10-13) concerning people or objects. Scripture stresses God’s total knowledge of his creation and also the importance of his people knowing his will and purposes for them. Knowledge involves the observation and recognition of objects within the range of one’s senses; acquaintance of a personal nature which includes a response of the knower. Hubbard - “Fear” and “knowledge” are words of attitude and action (see Pr 1:7, 29), as well as information. They are code terms for the total response in life—worship, obedience, service, love—which God enables those to make who fully commit their ways to Him (see Pr 3:5–6). They describe an exclusive relation that transforms all other relationships: to ourselves, our neighbors, our things, our work, our world.