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GAINING THE WISDOM OF GOD
PROVERBS 2:1 -9

(Book study series - Proverbs) - Message no. 7
(July 14, 2021 – WED p.m. – MBC baesa)  

      The second challenge of the phrase “my son” was found in Proverbs 2. Solomon taught the first challenge to his son to avoid and stay away from evil people (Proverbs 1:10-19), also Solomon instructs his son to chose wisdom of God to be the pathway of life (Proverbs 1:20-33). Solomon wants his son to know that gaining the wisdom of God is not that easy, not an easy road. Gaining wisdom is really a great challenge.  

PROPOSITION: A PERSON WILL GAIN GOD’S WISDOM WHEN HE MEET THE CONDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

     Three conditions in gaining the wisdom of God:
     If a person wants to gain wisdom of God, he/she must meet the three conditional “if” clauses.

I – AIM DEEPLY TO GAIN THE WISDOM OF GOD – v.1-2

Proverbs 2:1-2 “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;”
Kawikaan 2:1-2 “Anak ko, kung ang mga salita ko'y iyong tatanggapin, at mga utos ko sa iyo ay iyong pagyayamanin,
2 ikiling mo sa karunungan ang iyong pandinig, at sa pang-unawa ang puso mo'y ihilig.”
     For someone to gain the wisdom of God, there must be deep desire, or aim deeply to gain the wisdom of God.   
     There must be a deep desire if we want to gain the wisdom of God.
     The phrase in verse 1 “If thou wilt receive my words” it gives the idea of embracing to yourself the instruction that has been taught.     

     Look the statements in verse 1 “hide my commandments with thee”, the word “hide” in KJV or “treasure” in NASB; ESV; NLT and NKJV, is the Hebrew word is (tiṣ·pōn) that has the idea that a person is receiving the teachings deeply within the heart, consistently hiding, guarding and defending the teachings of the Lord.

     The teachable ear is an ear that is attentively focus or an ear that is inclined to the wisdom that the Word of God has been taught or preached. The ear and heart of a person must have the love, intense desire, hungry and thirsty to receive in his heart the instruction of God delivered by the servants of God.

II – APPEAL EARNESTLY TO GAIN THE WISDOM OF GOD – v.3

Proverbs 2:3 “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;”
Kawikaan 2:3 “Kung ikaw ay sumigaw upang makaalam, at itinaas ang iyong tinig upang makaunawa,” TAGALOG
     For someone to gain the wisdom of God, there must be intense prayer. It involves to appeal earnestly.   
     The emotional verb “criest” KJV or “cry” NASB, NKJV; or “call” ESV mentioned in verse 3 has an idea of an intensified, emotional and earnest appeal to God, asking God to provides wisdom unto them.
     It is not enough for a person to desires for wisdom, it is not sufficient for a person to sit as listening to dynamic and powerful teaching, it is not adequate for a person to receive all the information given, unless that person prays, that person would not gain the wisdom of God. James says, we need to ask wisdom (James 1:5). We need to pray for God’s wisdom.

III – ANALYZE DILIGENTLY TO GAIN THE WISDOM OF GOD – v.4

Proverbs 2:4 “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;”
Kawikaan 2:4 “kung kagaya ng pilak, ito'y iyong hahanapin, at tulad ng nakatagong kayamanan, ito'y sasaliksikin,” TAGALOG
     For someone to gain the wisdom of God, there must be diligent study. It involves deep analysis.     
     The verb “seekest” or “seek” means to seek or find diligently with zealousness, and the verb “searchest” or “search” has the idea of digging, analyzing or thinking out deeper. It suggests searching analysis. Analyze is to study or determine, distinguish something to discover its true nature, significance, worth, value of very significant and essential things. 
     There were two different ways in finding gold and silver during the days of Solomon
     Two ways in finding silver and gold in Solomon’s day:
     1. By means of mining
     2. By means of spoiling
     Let us not forget that these words of Solomon are addressed to a son and not instructed to a wisemen or learned men, not to a prophet, not to a priest, not to a pastor, adviser, teacher, or scholar but to a son, he says “My son”.
     There are two promised results a person will acquire if a person will analyze or seek diligently and search deeply.
          Promised results of pursuing the goal to gain God's wisdom: (all started with the word "then")
     A.  Grasping who God is all about - v.5-8
 Proverbs 2:5-6 "Then 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." 
 Kawikaan 2:5-6 "kung magkagayo'y ang takot sa  Panginoon ay iyong mauunawaan, at ang kaalaman sa Diyos ay iyong matatagpuan. 6 Sapagkat ang Panginoon ay nagbibigay ng karunungan." TAGALOG   
     
     Notice the promise it has the opening word "then". The person will personally begin to grasp God  once that person seek and search diligently God's wisdom.
     A personal understanding of an infinite and sovereign God will come to the mind and heart of a person who pursue the wisdom of God diligently and deeply even by a finite person who is still in a sinful earthly state, which is far beyond for most people who have limited capabilities.
     In verse 5 it says “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Because of the word “then” it does mean that there is no guarantee for a believer to automatically “understand the fear of the LORD” and there is no automatic guarantee to “find the knowledge of God.”  Why? Why It is not automatically guaranteed? In verse 6 explains why, because of the word “for”. Now the explanation in verse 6 says “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.“  The reason is because God must give this kind of knowledge. God is the only one who can give deeper knowledge concerning Himself to a particular person. God will absolutely and freely give this knowledge to someone who meet the conditional prerequisites in gaining wisdom of God according to verses 1-4 (which are desire deeper in verse 1-2, intense prayer in verse 3, diligent study in verse 4).
     Also, another thing if we notice in Verses 7-8, there are list of additional more benefits that God promised to give to anyone who meets the conditional prerequisites of having deep desire or aim deeply, intense prayer or pray earnestly and diligent study or analyze diligently to gain the wisdom of God. What are these benefits that God will give more?
Proverbs 2:7-8 “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.”
Kawikaan 2:7-8 “Pinaglalaanan niya ang matuwid ng magaling na karunungan, siya'y kalasag sa mga lumalakad na may katapatan, 8 upang mabantayan niya ang mga landas ng katarungan, at maingatan ang daan ng kanyang mga banal.” TAGALOG

Here are the list of God as He give more Benefits to whosoever meet the “If” clauses:  

          1. God will give wisdom – v.7a
v.7a “He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous:
          2. God will give a shield or defense – v.7b
v. 7b “he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”
     God is a buckler or translated a shield in NASB, ESV, NKJV.
          3. God will guard or give protection
v.8a “He keepeth the paths of judgment”
     God is “guarding the paths of justice” translated in NASB; ESV; NKJV
          4. God will give preservation
v.8b “and preserveth the way of his saints.”
  1. Grasping what life is all about – v.9
Proverbs 2:9 “Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.”
Kawikaan 2:9 “Kung magkagayo'y mauunawaan mo ang katuwiran, ang katarungan at ang katapatan, bawat mabuting daan.” TAGALOG
     Notice the promised with the opening word “then”. The person will personally begin to grasp a wise life once that person seek and search diligently God’s wisdom.    
     In order for a person to grasp life and grasp what is the right in the midst of all difficulties, hardships, pressures, and challenges in life, God will give sharp perception, complete awareness, deeper understanding, godly insights in realities of life for those who will meet God’s given condition that is laid down in this passage.
     In verse 9, the real righteousness, the real justice, the real equity, and what is good in every situation of life were the things the person will truly understand, as the person personally begin to grasp life as a result of God promise as the person pursued the goal in gaining wisdom.   
     If a person met God’s condition in gaining God’s wisdom, then God’s promises will all be granted to that person who will personally begin to grasp God based in verses 5-8, and will personally begin to grasp a wise life based in verse 9.
     In over 3,000 years these conditions given here in our passage in Proverbs 2 have never changed, and it is sad to say that very few people have interest to exert more effort to meet the conditional prerequisites how to gain the wisdom of God. Listen, if you personally met the condition, God will grant you the understanding and knowledge about God and the reality of life, being the recipient of the wisdom of God that God had promised. Amen!