Tuesday, July 16, 2013

SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 2:10-11


He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

 

The Benefits Of Possessing Wisdom - (2) The Lord’s Protection:  Prov 2:10-11 

10) When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

11) Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

 

INTRODUCTION:

Solomon will now explain to us one of the great blessings we can receive when we possess Godly wisdom in our lives… protection from the forces of evil we find in this fallen world…

 

EXPOSITION:

10) When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

We have described two of four assets given to us by God to protect us in the midst of a fallen world…

1.  wisdom – the Hebrew word translated “wisdom” in this text is the word for “skill”.  The basic idea of this word is putting into action that which we know.  It is applying God’s Word to our outward actions. 

Wisdom, in the context of spiritual living, is taking what we know of God’s Word and applying it to our actions.

2.  “knowledge – this Hebrew word for “knowledge” speaks of possessed information.  Anytime our senses receive information we are increasing our knowledge.  This can be done through observation, instruction, or experience.  In Solomon’s case, by knowledge, he meant the truths of God that are found in His Word.  These truths can be received through reading, preaching or teaching, or by watching the example of other Godly Christians.

 

Notice the terms “heart” and “soul”.  It is not enough to possess these things in our “mind” but they must be a living part of our lives… genuine knowledge and wisdom when applied by the Spirit of God, will affect our desires (heart) and our physical life on earth (soul).

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.   (Colossians 3:16)

 

     

11) Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Solomon mentions the other two assets given by God that we keep us safe in this fallen world, “discretion” and “understanding”…

1. “discretion” – it’s Hebrew word of origin carries with it the idea of “planning ahead to achieve a goal”.  Discretion, from the aspect of spiritual living, describes looking ahead and discerning the future results of decisions that we have yet to make.  It is being able to “think through” our options to help us make the best choices.

2. “understanding” – comes from a word with the idea of “to separate and examine the pieces” .  This involves not only possessing a truth but knowing why that truth is so and how it applies to the subject at hand.  A good example of this would be the truth that “God is gracious”.  It is one thing to know this truth it is something else to understand the definition of grace and all the different ways that it affects man. That is understanding grace.

 

These four gifts (wisdom, knowledge, discretion and understanding) work together in harmony to promote safety in their spiritual walk.  This safety is described as “shall preserve” (to build a hedge) and “shall keep” (to guard).  Application of these four gifts results in a hedge being built around us that acts as a daily protection from the evil that is around us.

 

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].    (Ephesians 5:15-17)

 

 

SUMMARY:

Do we want to have a divine hedge of protection built around us as we seek to serve our Lord on earth?  If so, we need to look to the Lord and rely upon Him for the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, discretion and understanding.  As He graces us with these gifts, let us strive to make these an active part of our lives, affecting our desires and outward actions.  

 

Different aspects of all four of these gifts can be found addressed in the book of Proverbs.

 

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

 

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

 




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