How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Proverbs 16:16)
Hold on a minute, haven’t I read something like this before? If you read Proverbs 3:14; 8:10 and 8:19 they intimate the same thing. Now back in the day reading something like that would just make me think, well hold on a minute I’ve already read that, why is it there again?
Something you ought to notice about Proverbs. Way before UKTV Gold was a thought and before BBC 1 had a thought about what to do with some of their old programmes, the wise man had the idea already that repeats would be a great idea. So you will spot over the chapters similar sayings cropping up all over the place. So it is good to ask why. I got you the first time, then you can go on and argue, hey yo Mr. Proverbs Man I got you the fifth time, brother, does it really require you to tell me this again?
The answer is of course – yes.
First there’s the brilliant way in which you can say the same thing in different and the way it comes across in one reading that it doesn’t strike previously. That’s all good right, but then there’s the bottom line behind all the repetition – the tragedy is we are likely to forget if we’re not reminded and if this life means anything and you want to make the most of it then taking instruction is crucial – even if that instruction reinforces a previous one.
With such classic advice as well in an ever unrelenting pursuit of material gain and the riches of this world it is definitely worth reinforcing the message again that wisdom and understanding beat any of that temporary stuff. And because I am so prone to forget, these words prove there’s always something there to remind me.
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. (Proverbs 16:20)
In reference to the blasé approach that seems to think that having read something once it’s already sunk in this verse is the perfect riposte. If you watch a film twice, the chances are if you’re paying attention that you’ll see things in it the second time that you never noticed the first, even though to all intents and purposes the film itself has not changed. Giving thought to the word echoes the advice of the Psalmist in chapter one who suggests that meditation on God’s law day and night produces fruitful people in every season.
The movie is one thing, but the word can go further than any movie and that’s the reason why the repetition can be key. In another place in another context on another role that same word when dwelt on and considered brings fresh revelation on what God has said even though what is there has been there all along and hasn’t changed. Therein is the riches of wisdom and understanding – we get it, when we pursue it and dwell on it and juice it for all its worth never for one minute taking that complacent attitude that having read it once, we’ve got it lock stock and barrel.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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