Proverbs Chapter 2

Proverbs 2:5
“Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”

Osmosis is a biology or chemistry term that means a diffusion of molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal.

In a less scientific sense it can mean the subtle, gradual and even unconscious assimilation of knowledge. A good example would be an American who learns to speak a foreign language by living long in a foreign land. He learns the language by “absorbing” it from those around him who speak the language naturally.

Many Christians seem to want to gain wisdom, knowledge and understanding by osmosis. Here in Proverbs Chapter 2 it is clear that these jewels cannot be attained by simple absorption. Verse 5 makes it clear that there are things we must do before we can truly understand the Fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Verses 1-4 give us a list of 8 “must do” items.

We must receive His words. This word “receive” is used elsewhere to seize or grasp. Have you ever waved a $10 bill in front of a 9 year old? He will literally tear it out of your hand. This is the idea here of receiving His words.

We must hide His words in our hearts and minds. This implies there is something valuable in play here and our goal should be to hide it or store it up against days to come. When we read His Word we may not need it right now but we should hide it in our hearts for the day when that particular word is necessary.

We must incline our ear unto Wisdom. To incline our ear is to listen carefully or pay very close attention. It also implies that we hearken to what it is we hear. Wisdom is not always easy to hear but if we listen closely we can hear it.

We must apply our heart to understanding. The word apply means to stretch out. What a beautiful thing it is when a young child stretches out his arms toward his parents to receive their love. In this same way we should stretch out to receive understanding.

We must cry after knowledge and insight. We must lift up our voice to understanding. There is a deep earnestness in these words “cry” and “lift up”. God desires our earnest prayer and then rewards that earnest prayer with knowledge and understanding. How blessed we would be if our prayers centered around these jewels rather than the temporal things that most of us spend prayer time on.

We must seek her (wisdom, knowledge, understanding) as if she were silver. To seek is to strive diligently. Like the avid gold hunters of days gone by. They were almost consumed with their seeking after the precious metal.

Lastly we must search for her as if she were hidden treasures. If you have ever lost something valuable you will understand this idea. You will search all around initially and then slow down and think back to deduce where it may be. Where was it last? When did I see it? You search for it in your mind and by looking everywhere you think of until it is found.

Our verse today tells us that if we will do these 8 things; Receive, hide, incline, apply, cry, lift up, seek and search; then we can understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God!! May God bless us in this most Holy endeavor.