GETTING THE MESSAGE/Proverbs 2:1-22

In our study of Proverbs we have observed that it is a wisdom book. The main themes are the fear of the Lord leads to wisdom, and the lack of wisdom leaves one in folly or the path of foolishness. The different paths people are on is an emphasis in the book.

Much like the Lord's teaching of the narrow way and the broad way, Proverbs depicts souls walking along the path of darkness or crooked paths, that lead to death (2:12-19); or the good path or integrity and righteousness (2:7-9, 20).

When we look at this through the lens of the gospel, we understand that because of sin we are all by nature on the path of darkness. It is when God saves a soul he delivers that soul from the domain of darkness and transforms it into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13).

Once our feet are set on the path of Christ, we are required to walk upon that path. The evidence of walking on the path of life is assimilating the word of God. Nutritionists use the word assimilation for the body absorbing nutrients from food. The transformation of food into living tissue keeps the body going.

This can be a helpful analogy for us when we read in verse one the Lord telling us to "receive my words and treasure up my commandments." The receiving is much more than hearing; it is hearing in order to delight in and put to use what is learned.



In the parable of the sower (Luke 8), Jesus teaches us that there are different ways people respond to his word when it is proclaimed to him. Some don't listen at all; others hear and receive it with joy, but the troubles that come in this world make them turn away. Still others receive the word, but the cares, riches, and pleasures of life choke out any fruitfulness.

Those who assimilate the Lord's word are those whose souls thrive from it. Verses 3 and 4 give us instructions on how to treat God's word when we hear it: "Call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures."

If we obtain any wisdom, we must get it from God himself, so the first necessity in hearing the word of God is to pray or call out for insight and understanding. If the word is turned away from or choked out by the things of the world, that failure can be traced to lack of prayer. You have not because you ask not, James tells us.

Being connected to prayer is to value God's word like a miner values silver or hidden treasures. I visited a town once that was the center of a gold rush. The fact that stood out to me was the effort the miners put into it. The gold was not just lying around. The one who acquired any real measure of gold had invincible resolution because he was convinced gold was there.

Richard Leighton wrote: "We are all too little in this humble seeking and begging divine knowledge from Scripture. If we would cry to God for rich treasures, fall upon our knees and dig for it, we would find the richest vein, the fear and knowledge of God."

Jesus (Luke 11) instructs us how to pray and then tells us to be diligent and persistent in it. The great thing we need for wisdom and understanding is the Holy Spirit. And he teaches us that God is pleased to give his Spirit to those who know their need and ask.

George Swinnock said: "The Word of God is deposited as a special treasure into the hands of the children of men. It is our duty to search and study this Book. It is a mercy that the tree of knowledge, the Word of God, is not a forbidden, but a commanded fruit. It grows in the very path to the tree of life. If you are a child of Adam, you have a deadly wound by neglecting the Word. You should search it as a covetous man searches for silver."