Proverbs 2:1-6 -Seeking Wisdom

1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

6For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

If - Two letters and a very big word.

It covers all the possibilities and eventualities. It embraces countless choices and consequences. It places responsibility for outcomes back on our shoulders so that we have no excuses for the results of our decisions. We make the calls and the consequences follow.

It also serves as a glowing reminder that there is hope.

We must receive the words of truth and wisdom. We must receive them joyfully, expectantly, and obediently. We must receive them with the attitude that we are going to apply them and cherish them.

We must hide them in our hearts. That implies that we will ponder them, turn them over in our minds, examine them from all dimensions and implications, internalize them, and even memorize them.

The interim result of this practice is described in verse 2. We listen more attentively, critically, and earnestly and we apply the principles of truth more deeply.

The second "if" condition differs from the first only in intensity as it builds upon it. We must desire wisdom so passionately and desperately that our whole being cries out for it. We lift up our voices and ask for it in prayer as well as in requests to our teachers.

What teacher, be he an earthly professor or the divine Holy Spirit does not delight in a student who asks for more learning and is willing to invest the time, energy, and devotion to gain it?

The third "if" is also a building block. Seeking for wisdom as if one is on a treasure hunt is what it takes to gain her riches. we demonstrate how serious we are by the effort we are willing to extend.

The "if"s are followed by a "then" as in any logical progression.

The consequences of this deep commitment to learning, growth, and acquisition of wisdom is that we gain it and more. We acquire a new reverence for God and understanding of Who He is and His purposes. This is because God is the source of all wisdom and He gives it generously to all who seek it. He is the wisdom of the wise and the fount of all truth. Jesus said it this way, “Seek and ye shall find.”