Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your heart to my knowledge;
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,
So that your trust may be in the Lord;
I have instructed you today, even you.—Proverbs 22:17-19
I love this because it is so personal...I have instructed YOU today...even YOU. As I read these verses I picture a parent exhorting their precious child to incline his ear (the KJV says bow down thine ear...I like that better because it tells me that humility is needed to hear the words of God) and receive God’s wise words with meekness. Let them sink down deep so that they direct your steps and lighten your path. God’s word was not written for His benefit but for ours. His commandments to us are not burdensome but for our good. He is jealous for us and wants His best to be accomplished in our hearts and in our lives.
Wisdom’s knowledge is a pleasant thing. When His words are fixed in our hearts, our words will be gracious and kind and will feed many. God’s wisdom will guard our mouth and give us a good reputation. His words on our lips will be fitly spoken like apples of gold in settings of silver. As a wise man receives the wisdom of God, he does not become less dependent on God because he is now so wise, but he becomes more dependent on God because he realizes how little he does know. He has a proper view of himself in relation to God and is humbled.
By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [Are] riches and honor and life.—Prov 22:4
"Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God.—Isaiah 50:10
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