For The Proverbial Palate- 07.26.2008

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. Proverbs 1:2-6

We find this introduction into the Book of Proverbs. King Solomon had asked for wisdom from God that he might instruct the people of God. The writing of Proverbs are the words of wisdom that Solomon learned from the ’school of hard knocks’… the experiences of life.

Wisdom is personified in the second chapter of the Proverbs as a woman, but in chapter one wisdom is attained through instruction. Let me emphasize that wisdom is not what we know but more what we do with what we know. Yes, this is what makes a wise individual.

Now what Solomon learned through the ’school of hard knocks’ is that all the instruction that he received from the word of God was true and when he strayed from its sound teaching, the results were not good. Hence Solomon gained wisdom from not listening to the word of God.

Now as a husband, I must admit that many times when my wife is talking to me, it sometimes when she is almost done, that I find that I am not really sure as to what she has said. It is true with the word of God. Many times we read it but never really hear what it says, yet it never gets any deeper than the fleshly table of our heart.

When Christ walk this sod he told a parable about the sower. Most of us are familiar with the parable, but it can be found in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8. The seed is the word of God, and of course the seed (word of God) finds one of four different types of soil. Depending on the soil, depends on the results… how much and what type of fruit is produced.

What I would really like for you to consider is the parable that follows concerning the light under the bushel. The purpose of light is to reveal. One would not light a candle and then place the candle in a position where the light is of no value. So it is with God’s word. He has given us His word for instruction in righteousness, but apart from the illumination and power of His Spirit the word can not find good soil.

What you hear: In Mark’s gospel (Mark 4:24) the exhortation is to be careful WHAT you hear. From the parental perspective, it is important that not only do we hear the word of God, but that we instruct our children accordingly. A child that is void of biblical instruction can become a very troubling soul.

How you hear: In Luke’s gospel (Luke 8:18) the exhortation is be careful HOW you hear. You see from looks perspective that it is not only important what we hear, but more importantly how we hear it. For with the how of the hearing is where we get the action. Instruction in action is wisdom my friend, and that the Word of God.

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he shall not depart. Proverbs 22:6

malachi

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