The Call to Seek Wisdom Scripture : Proverbs 2:1-5 by Pastor Victor Mushimbami Garneton East Chapel

Acceptance and Storage of God’s Commands (Proverbs 2:1)

”My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,”

The word "If" in this verse sets the tone, introducing a condition. In Hebrew, this word (אִם, im) implies not just a possibility, but a choice that requires a willing heart. It’s not about being forced, as if held at gunpoint; it’s about genuine, voluntary submission. The choice to accept God’s words must come from within, from the heart.

Acceptance

The Hebrew word for “accept” ( קַחַת, qachat) implies receiving something with the intent to embrace it deeply. This isn’t just about hearing or understanding but internalizing the message fully. It speaks to the Jewish cultural emphasis on being open to divine instruction, ready to absorb and integrate it into one’s life.

When we come to church, we need to be like good soil, ready to receive God’s Word, allowing it to take root and bear fruit. Too often, our hearts can be like rocky ground, thorny fields, or even hardened pathways. Instead, we must come with open hearts, willing to let God’s truth shape us.

This message to the “son” could easily be directed to Garneton Chapel today: be ready, be willing, to accept God’s Word.

Deception and the Heart

Deception often plays on our emotions, blinding us to reality. Psychologically, deceivers use tactics that exploit our desires, insecurities, and hopes. They manipulate emotions like greed, fear, and hope. For instance, when someone promises you cash or a guaranteed win, they tap into your aspirations, feeding your desire for easy success or financial freedom. This manipulation creates vulnerability, making it easier to believe the impossible. Hackers and scammers operate in similar ways, leveraging our wishful thinking or fear of missing out, leading us to ignore red flags. Even when we sense that something isn’t right, we often push aside that inner warning and convince ourselves, “Maybe it’s true.”

In contrast, God’s Word works very differently. While deception aims to exploit, God’s truth may be challenging and uncomfortable, but it is always meant for our benefit. Like a bitter medicine that brings healing, the truth sometimes confronts the areas in our lives we’d rather not face. God’s truth protects us, opens our eyes to reality, and grounds us in wisdom. It teaches us discernment, helping us to resist being swayed by tempting offers or false promises that prey on our vulnerabilities. Instead of exploiting our emotions, God’s Word nurtures our character and leads us toward true fulfillment, based on trust and faith rather than illusions or empty promises.

Storing Up God’s Word

The phrase “store up” (צָפַן, tzafan) in Hebrew means to treasure something, to hide it securely as you would something valuable. God’s commands should be cherished and safeguarded in our hearts like we treasure money or protect our loved ones from potential threats.

Think about how carefully we guard our wealth, hiding it away from thieves. Consider how we cherish our spouses, protecting them from being taken by others. We seek after precious things whether money or relationships because we know they can transform our lives. But the same intentionality should be applied to God’s Word. His commands are treasures that, when stored up in our hearts, can truly transform us.

God’s commands aren’t restrictions meant to steal our free will; rather, they are protective boundaries meant to keep us safe. For Israel, the commandments served as guardrails to keep them from falling into the dangers surrounding them. Just like a lamp lights our immediate path, helping us avoid pitfalls, God’s Word lightens our way, keeping us from stepping on life’s “snakes.” Psalm 119:105 captures this perfectly: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

The commands of God are more valuable than wealth and should be treasured even more. They provide guidance, protection, and life. Memorizing and internalizing them, as was the practice in ancient Jewish tradition, is how we hide them within our hearts, allowing them to shape us from the inside out.

As we embrace God’s Word, we must change our mindset. Christianity is not bondage that restricts our free will it is the path to true freedom, keeping us safe from spiritual harm. God’s commands are the lamp that lights our way, ensuring we don’t stumble or fall. Treasure them more than money, for they will protect you, your family, and your future.

Before any misunderstandings arise, let me clarify this point before we continue.

Commands were given to people who were already in a relationship with God or considered pure before they fell into sin. For instance, Adam was given a command before he sinned (Genesis 2:16-17), when he was still in a state of innocence. However, after Adam sinned, it wasn’t another command that followed but a “promise”, the promise of a Savior. God said that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15), a clear reference to Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and Satan.

Similarly, Abraham was given the sign of circumcision after he had already believed in God. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6), establishing his faith. It was only later, in Genesis 17, that God commanded him to be circumcised as a sign of the covenant. Abraham’s faith came first, and the command followed after. The New Testament affirms this order of events, as James writes that Abraham was called the "friend of God" because of his faith (James 2:23).

Regarding the children of Israel, after the great Passover, where God delivered them from Egypt by the blood of the lamb, they were given the Law at Mount Sinai. This Passover was a foreshadowing of Christ, who fulfilled the role of the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus died during the Passover (John 19:14), showing that He was the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, whose blood brings salvation to all who believe. Just as the Israelites were saved by the blood of the lamb and then received the Law, we are saved by the blood of Christ and then called to obey God’s commands.

Jesus’ journey to the cross reflects the entire Passover process. In the Passover, a lamb without blemish was selected, just as Jesus was sinless (1 Peter 1:19). The lamb was slain, and its blood was applied to the doorposts, symbolizing protection from death. Jesus’ blood was shed to cover and cleanse us from our sins, delivering us from eternal death. Furthermore, just as the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, which coincided with the day Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai, the Spirit empowers believers to live according to God’s will (Acts 2:1-4).

Jesus taught, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). God gives guidelines and commands after saving us, not before. Our salvation leads us into a life of obedience, not one of living however we please. As followers of Christ, we must live according to God’s will. If we choose to follow our own desires, Jesus warns us that in the end, He may say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23). This is because we did not do the will of God, which is to live in accordance with His Word.

What is God’s will? Jesus said, “Behold, I have come in the volume of the book it is written of Me, to do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7, referencing Psalm 40:7-8). Jesus’ entire life was dedicated to fulfilling the will of His Father. Even at twelve years old, when His parents were looking for Him, He told them, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). In the Garden of Gethsemane, when He was overwhelmed with sorrow, He prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Finally, on the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), signifying that He had completed the will of God the will to save humanity through His sacrificial death.

God’s commands come to those who are already in a covenant relationship with Him. Once saved, we are called to live according to His will, which is clearly revealed in Scripture and fully embodied in the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If we truly love Him, we will seek to obey His commands, walking in His will, just as Jesus did.

Attentiveness and Application (Proverbs 2:2)

The idea introduced in verse 1 carries into verse 2, emphasizing the need for a person to not only accept God’s commands but also to pay close attention and actively engage with wisdom. 

“Turning your ear”

The phrase “turning your ear” (הַט אָזְנְךָ, “hat oznecha”) suggests more than just passive listening. In Hebrew culture, listening was considered a deliberate and active process. It wasn’t enough to hear words; one had to “engage with the message” being communicated. This means giving full attention to wisdom, much like tuning your ear to catch every word. The people of Israel understood that real listening involves focus and readiness to act on what is heard. 

As Christians, we are reminded that spiritual growth begins with attentiveness to God’s word. This is similar to how Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15), urging people to not only listen with their physical ears but to take His words to heart.

“Applying your heart”

The phrase “applying your heart” (נָטָה, “natah”) means to incline or stretch out, suggesting a “deliberate effort to engage the heart”. The Hebrew concept of the “heart” (לֵב, ‘lev’) refers not only to emotions but to the ‘seat of intellect and decision making’. In Hebrew thought, the heart is the core of a person’s being, where thoughts, feelings, and desires are formed. To apply your heart to understanding is to fully commit both your ‘mind and emotions’ to the pursuit of wisdom.

In a Christian context, this involves ‘actively seeking’ to understand God’s truths and letting them shape how we think, feel, and act. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Applying our heart to wisdom means ensuring that our inner life is aligned with God’s will, so that it influences all our outward actions.

Cultural Context: Shema and the Holistic Pursuit of Wisdom

To deepen this idea, let’s look at the cultural context of Jewish teaching. One of the most central prayers in Jewish life is the “Shema” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), which says: 

”Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

The Shema emphasizes a “holistic approach” to one’s relationship with God engaging with Him through “all parts of life”: the heart (intellect and emotion), the soul (spiritual depth), and strength (physical action). This is a call to not just hear or know God’s commands but to embody them fully in every aspect of life. 

For the ancient Israelites, this involved  memorizing, meditating, and living out the Word of God. They were instructed to bind God’s commandments on their hands and foreheads, and talk about them constantly (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). This reflects the idea that true wisdom is not just knowledge but internalized truth that governs every thought, feeling, and action.

In the same way, as Christians, we are called to not only listen to the Word of God but to let it transform our hearts. Romans 12:2 encourages us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind,” which implies that wisdom involves continuous learning, emotional alignment with God’s will, and acting on what we know to be true.

In Proverbs 2:2, we are invited to go beyond just hearing wisdom; we are called to listen attentively and apply our hearts to understanding. This means fully committing our intellect, emotions, and will to the pursuit of God’s wisdom. As we listen, reflect, and act, we mirror the holistic love of God described in the Shema where every part of us is involved in living wisely.

In practical terms, this attentiveness means making space in our lives to meditate on Scripture, allowing God’s Word to shape our hearts and guide our decisions. True wisdom involves both attentiveness to God’s voice and a willingness to live out His truth in every part of our lives.

Earnest Prayer for Insight (Proverbs 2:3)

“Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding” (Proverbs 2:3).

One reason I love Hebrew is because it’s an actionable language, rich with depth and meaning. For example, words describing roles like “son” (בֵּן, ‘ben’): ‘ben’ means more than just a male child. It emphasizes the idea of being a “builder of the family name”. Sons were expected to carry forward the family’s legacy, uphold its values, and contribute to its continuity, embodying both heritage and responsibility.

 “Mother” (אֵם, em): The word ‘em’ refers to a mother but also symbolizes the “nurturer and foundation” of the family. The mother provides care, guidance, and emotional support, playing a central role in raising children and maintaining the household’s moral and spiritual values, and 

“Father” (אָב, ‘av’) : The term ‘av’ denotes a “protector and authority figure”. The father’s role is to lead, instruct, and provide for the family, ensuring its spiritual and material well-being. He is also seen as a source of wisdom and a guide for the family’s future.

Carry inherent connections to action and responsibility. Even the Hebrew word For “obey” (‘shama’, שָׁמַע) means to listen with the intent to act, emphasizing action as a response to hearing.

In this verse, the Hebrew verb “call out” (קָרָא, ‘qara’) implies more than just a simple request. It conveys an earnest, loud plea, reflecting a deep, urgent desire for wisdom. Similarly, the phrase “cry aloud” (נָתַן קוֹל, natan kol) means to raise one’s voice in a passionate, vocal plea, indicating an intense longing for understanding.

In Jewish tradition, prayer (‘tefillah’, תְּפִלָּה) is central, with its intensity often mirroring the depth of one’s need and desire for divine guidance. This intensity in prayer resonates with the earnest cries for wisdom and insight found in Proverbs, reminding us that seeking understanding is not a passive pursuit, but an active, heartfelt one.

Diligent Search (Proverbs 2:4)

There comes “and” “and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,” The Hebrew word for “look” (בָּקַשׁ, baqash) means to seek diligently. This implies an active and persistent effort.

What does The term “search” (חָפַשׂ, chaphas) suggests?

"A thorough and careful examination, akin to an archaeological dig."

In ancient Israel, silver and hidden treasures were highly valued. ”If you seek her as silver” This means that wisdom should be sought after as eagerly as people search for silver. Mining for precious metals, like silver, has been a known process for thousands of years, even long before King Solomon’s time. Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient copper mines in the Sinai Peninsula and gold mines in Egypt’s Bisháree desert, with inscriptions near these mines dating back to around 4000 B.C. Silver was also brought to Solomon from places like Arabia and Tarshish, possibly in modern-day Spain.

”Search for her as for hidden treasures”  In ancient times, especially in the East, it was common for people to hide their valuables in the ground because of the risks to life and property. If the person who hid the treasure died without telling anyone where it was, the treasure would be lost. Because of this, searching for hidden treasure was a serious and exciting task. Jesus even used this idea to illustrate a parable about the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:44).

In both cases, the idea is that finding wisdom is like finding a hidden treasure you need to be as determined to seek it as people are when searching for silver or lost riches.

”Search for her as for hidden treasures”  The Gospel is like a treasure, as described in 2 Corinthians 4:7. It’s full of rich truths, valuable for their ancient origins, having come from heaven and sealed by the sacrifice of Christ and the holy martyrs. It contains wisdom and knowledge, especially in Christ, who is the heart of the Gospel and full of both truth and grace (Colossians 2:3). The Gospel also offers rich blessings of grace blessings that are spiritual, lasting, reliable, and plentiful (Romans 15:29). It includes precious promises from God, tailored to the needs of His people and guaranteed for all who belong to Him.

This treasure reveals God’s goodness, the unsearchable riches of Christ, and the riches of both grace and glory. It is like hidden treasure, such as the precious gems buried deep in the earth. Just like people search diligently for treasures, such as “topaz,” which was sought after in ancient times, the Gospel is something to be sought with the same effort and determination.

The Gospel’s truths were hidden from many people in the past both from the Gentiles and often from the Jews wrapped up in prophecies, symbols, and sacrifices. Today, these truths are still hidden from those who reject God, and even from God’s people before they come to faith. This is the "mystery" that was hidden in God’s heart for all eternity (Ephesians 3:9), and the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3). 

These treasures are found in the Bible, often hidden in its passages, just like the treasure hidden in a field (Matthew 22:44). To discover them, we must read the Scriptures carefully, meditate on them deeply, listen to Gospel preaching, pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and learn from the writings and conversations of wise Christians. These treasures should be sought out with great effort, starting from an early age and with dedication, as they are of the highest importance.

The comparison underscores the immense worth of wisdom and the effort required to obtain it. The pursuit of wisdom is likened to a treasure hunt, emphasizing its preciousness and the diligence needed to acquire it.

So, when you follow the instructions in verses 1 to 4, what will happen to you? “If you seek wisdom like silver and search for it as hidden treasures,” here’s the reward:

The Reward of Seeking after Wisdom (vs.5)

“Then you will understand what it means to deeply respect and honor the Lord, and you will come to truly know God.”

“Then”,  This word signals that the reward comes after seeking wisdom and understanding, as mentioned earlier in Proverbs (verses 1, 3, and 4). If you search for wisdom with all your heart, you will find it, just like Jesus says in Matthew 7:7, “Seek, and you will find.”

“Understand the fear of the Lord”,  To “understand” means to grasp with your mind and heart. The phrase “fear of the Lord” does not mean being scared of God, but rather having deep respect, reverence, and awe for Him. It means recognizing His greatness and authority in your life.

“Find the knowledge of God”  Finding” here means to gain or get hold of something valuable. The “knowledge of God” is not just knowing facts about Him but developing a relationship with Him  understanding His nature, His will, and His ways.

The connection between fear of the Lord and knowledge of God, Revering God leads to a better understanding of Him. In turn, as we know God more deeply, our respect and reverence for Him grow. They influence each other.

 Proverbs often links wisdom with reverence for God, saying that wisdom begins with respecting and fearing Him (Proverbs 1:7). When you have this deep respect, it opens the door to true knowledge, which is more than just intellectual understanding; it is knowing God personally.

“Elohim and Jehovah”,  These two names of God are used interchangeably here. Jehovah often refers to God’s personal nature, while Elohim can emphasize His power and majesty. Both names show different aspects of who God is, but they ultimately lead to the same truth  knowing and revering God is the foundation of wisdom.

To know God is the greatest gift we can receive, even greater than any other, because it leads to eternal life. God is the Giver of all good things, and Jesus came into the world to give us this knowledge (John 17:3). Jesus promises that if we obey and love Him, He will reveal Himself to us (Proverbs 14:21). However, even the best knowledge we can have of God in this life is still incomplete compared to what we will know when we see Him directly after this life (1 Corinthians 13:12). In heaven, we will know Him fully, “face to face.” But for now, as Paul explains in Galatians 4:9, our relationship with God is better described by saying that He knows and recognizes us as His children. Our knowledge of Him now is limited, but His knowledge of us as His loved and acknowledged children is what truly matters.

Pastor,

Victor Mushimbami 

Garneton East Chapel

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