Proverbs 2
Proverbs 2
Our fourth discipleship book begins with Proverbs 2:1–6, asking this question, “What are the conditions for understanding and finding the knowledge of God?” The answer is found in the first four verses of this chapter, ending with the title of that book, Searching for Treasure.
On June 6th of 2020, a man named Jack Steuf found a 10 x10 inch box filled with over $2 million in hidden treasure. Millionaire Forrester Fenn hid the treasure over 10 years before and created a map with a poem designed to lead searchers to the hidden location. Tens of thousands of people searched, some quit their jobs, spent their life savings, and at least four people lost their lives. With so many people willing to give so much for a box of buried treasure, do we search God’s Word with even a part of that effort?
God promises so much for those who invest in pursuing Him through His Word. Note the “if” statements in the first four verses, then pay attention to the “then” statements in verses 5 and 9. These conditional statements give us great insight into what God promises.
Verse 5 says, you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. The author goes on to illustrate the benefits of having this kind of relationship with the Lord. There are vertical benefits to being in God’s Word.
Additionally, in verse 9, we see the horizontal benefits as well. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path. Not only will you be blessed, but “discretion will watch over you and understanding will guard you” (11). This “guarding” will bring a deliverance from “men of perverted speech… who rejoice in doing evil,” “men whose paths are crooked,” and “forbidden women.”
God promises so much for those who dive deep and invest richly in His Word. Tim would often say, “How big a fool would a person have to be to miss out on all that God promises?”
The author of Proverbs 2 is a father speaking to a son. Every parent wants the best for their kids. We teach them and train them and then we send them out the door to go fight their own battles. I can’t be at school or daycare all the time to protect my kids—make sure that other kids are being nice and that my kids act right. We regularly experience the challenges of not being able to fight our kid’s battles for them. I think God, as a good Father, feels that way about us as well.
God wants us to have His wisdom. He wants to equip us to face the struggles and challenges in life. He wants to protect us from people who would bring harm into our lives or would drag us down. He’s given us everything we need to win. Don’t misunderstand, He will not prevent us from facing hard things, but He has equipped us to walk through them. First and foremost, he’s given us the unsearchable riches of His Word. It takes effort, but it’s worth the hunt.
By: Tyler Short
Our fourth discipleship book begins with Proverbs 2:1–6, asking this question, “What are the conditions for understanding and finding the knowledge of God?” The answer is found in the first four verses of this chapter, ending with the title of that book, Searching for Treasure.
On June 6th of 2020, a man named Jack Steuf found a 10 x10 inch box filled with over $2 million in hidden treasure. Millionaire Forrester Fenn hid the treasure over 10 years before and created a map with a poem designed to lead searchers to the hidden location. Tens of thousands of people searched, some quit their jobs, spent their life savings, and at least four people lost their lives. With so many people willing to give so much for a box of buried treasure, do we search God’s Word with even a part of that effort?
God promises so much for those who invest in pursuing Him through His Word. Note the “if” statements in the first four verses, then pay attention to the “then” statements in verses 5 and 9. These conditional statements give us great insight into what God promises.
Verse 5 says, you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. The author goes on to illustrate the benefits of having this kind of relationship with the Lord. There are vertical benefits to being in God’s Word.
Additionally, in verse 9, we see the horizontal benefits as well. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path. Not only will you be blessed, but “discretion will watch over you and understanding will guard you” (11). This “guarding” will bring a deliverance from “men of perverted speech… who rejoice in doing evil,” “men whose paths are crooked,” and “forbidden women.”
God promises so much for those who dive deep and invest richly in His Word. Tim would often say, “How big a fool would a person have to be to miss out on all that God promises?”
The author of Proverbs 2 is a father speaking to a son. Every parent wants the best for their kids. We teach them and train them and then we send them out the door to go fight their own battles. I can’t be at school or daycare all the time to protect my kids—make sure that other kids are being nice and that my kids act right. We regularly experience the challenges of not being able to fight our kid’s battles for them. I think God, as a good Father, feels that way about us as well.
God wants us to have His wisdom. He wants to equip us to face the struggles and challenges in life. He wants to protect us from people who would bring harm into our lives or would drag us down. He’s given us everything we need to win. Don’t misunderstand, He will not prevent us from facing hard things, but He has equipped us to walk through them. First and foremost, he’s given us the unsearchable riches of His Word. It takes effort, but it’s worth the hunt.
By: Tyler Short
2 Comments
Thank you for encouragement, If and then God gives us a choice and when we choose to seek him and search then God will help us have victory in all of our life.
"11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe."
This is a parent's biggest prayer when their adult children move out. May they keep their eyes on Jesus and daily feast on His word.