“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you."
I have read these verses before but this morning I saw them in a new light. These verses are talking about holiness. When we think about holiness we (quite rightly) tend to focus on love, faith and obedience rather than knowledge and discretion.
However, look at the following two phrases:
- "Store up my commands within you turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding”
- “He holds victory in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
These verses are referring to the benefits of personal holiness.
I have never come across these verses being used by any of the great holiness teachers as proof texts for the blessing of Christian perfection but that is exactly what they are.
When we “look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure” then holiness jumps out of almost every page of God’s word – Hallelujah!
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