Isn’t it curious how fast we can get acquainted with the things in which we have the strongest interest? If we are interested in an actor we watch all his movies, we want to dress like him and use the same language and gestures he does. If we are interested in a specific toy we quickly learn of all the different models that are available, we know the little differences between the various models and we always want to have the latest! Now, what about God? Is that also applicable to him? Is that true that the more we are interested in God, if we are at all, the more we seek him and the more we want to know about him?
Solomon answers this question positively. In the first two verses of chapter 2 he makes the case for the relation between willing and knowing. He first sets up some conditions that can be easily turned into questions. The first one is: if you are willing to receive the instruction of God. In other words: are you willing? Is that your desire? Are you interested in the knowledge of God, in his instruction? Solomon, with this condition, is pointing to the desire of your heart. As you are interested in so many other different things and know all about them, are you as well (or even more) interested to be acquainted with the teachings of your Lord?
The second question is about its value for you. Solomon explains that it is not enough that you are interested in the knowledge of God but that you also understand it value and that it must be precious for you. To express this idea he uses the word “treasure”. Just like you, my dear sister, treasure your make up set and does not want anyone to touch it; or you, my beloved brother, treasure your electronics and don’t want your siblings (specially your younger sister) using them; do you also treasure the teaching of God in such a way that you don’t want to lose any of it? Do you value and desire for the moments spent with his Word when you do it by yourself, or at Sunday school, or at the preaching during worship?
If, then, this desire is in you; there are some tips of what to do to make to most of the moments you spend receiving the teaching of God. The first one is that you must be attentive. You should be thinking on nothing else apart from the text that is being discussed. You must listen carefully the explanations given for it and seek to apply it to your life. In being attentive you also help others to be attentive and do not disturb them.
The second tip is that you must use your reason. You must “incline you heart to understanding.” Now, how can the heart understand anything? Isn’t it responsible for our feelings? Not in the Hebrew language! In the Hebrew culture, the equivalent to the mind in our culture is the heart. It is the one responsible to process information and, therefore, when you learn from God you are to use your brain. You must commit the teaching of God to memory, you must ask question so that you may understand it fully and be able to teach other. Both your attention and mind need to be engaged in this great purpose of know more and more of the Lord.
When you desire the teachings of God and when you dedicate you attention and mind to learning from him, guess what happens? You will know him! Guaranteed! And it is the Lord himself who guarantees it. Verse 5 expresses this great promise. God will instruct you, he will explain to you the content of his Word and you will know him. Through the aid of his Holy Spirit he will teach you all things and through his Son, your savior Jesus Christ, you can fully know him.
Therefore, my young brethren, your love for the Lord and your interested in him is demonstrated when you seek to you know of Him, in his Son, though he Holy Spirit. Those who engage in know God do not labor in vain.
An informative blog about Breno and Roberta Macedo who are living and studying in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
