Opening Dad's Treasure Chest! - Proverbs 2:6-7

Proverbs 2:6-7  For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.

I can still remember when I first opened my father’s military trunk from the army.  As I wiped off the dust and opened the latches on the big green U.S. Army foot locker my eyes were wide with wonder and awe at the old pictures, the Japanese flag, and the trinkets and treasures he brought home from Japan.  It was as if I had an instant connection with him as I looked through the items and asked him what they were and the stories behind them.  As he shared with me I wanted to soak up all I could from 1st Lieutenant Leroy Lawrence.  I still have this trunk to this day.  After he passed it was the item that seemed to always forge an instant connection with my dad.

How would you like to have a huge trunk from your Father in heaven filled with all the information you need to walk through life successfully?  How would you respond to an offer from God for a treasure trove of highly practical knowledge on how to live a safe, productive, life that is ever moving forward toward worthwhile goals?  This is what God promises - along with a promise of HIs protection for you in Proverbs 2:6-7.

In verse 7 the father, who is instructing his son, begins to speak of the benefits and blessings that come from having a heart that desires wisdom. He has taught his son to listen to him because he is offering him wisdom and understanding.  The dad makes it clear in verse 6 that this wisdom and understanding does not come from him as the source.  Jehovah is the One who gives wisdom.  It is when He speaks that knowledge and understanding flow to us.  All dads would be wise to remember this and to liberally season their instruction to their sons with the Word of God.

What are the benefits that dad offers to his son?  First of all when we turn to God and His Word for wisdom we will find that God begins storing up sound wisdom for us.  The words “stores up” are the Hebrew word “saphan” which means to hide away resources.  The idea here is that of God filling a treasure chest for us.  What is He putting into it?  Sound wisdom is being put there.  This sound wisdom (tushiyyah) is a highly practical knowledge and understanding of things that will ensure success in God’s sight if followed.  It ensures success when walking in God’s way - we will advance when following it.  This is the treasure trove which God has for us as we learn His Word and desire His wisdom.  What a wonderful thing to know that as we read, study, and treasure up His Word in our hearts - there are riches of wisdom and understanding that are being deposited into us for current or latter use.  We are insuring our future spiritual growth as well as the leadership and guidance we will need to navigate a world that is becoming increasingly difficult to traverse.

There is a second benefit to hearing and having wisdom in our hearts and lives.  When we seek God for it - and listen when He gives it - we can be assured He is forging an ever growing shield that protects us as we walk through life.  If you have yet to experience it, you will one day find that walking in wisdom will shield you from many things that would damage or even destroy your life.  Paul spoke of this in Ephesians 6 when he mentioned the “shield of faith” which can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Faith in the Word of God - that what it says is true and worthy of emulation - is what protects us.  In a word - wisdom - is what protects us.

These things are for the one who is upright. The one who walks in a straight path, ever quick to listen and to follow God’s directions and directives!  It is also for those who walk in integrity.  The word means - completeness - as in one who completely surrenders to God and is completely obedient to God’s commands.  These things are the things God is storing up for us when we pursue a life of wisdom from Him.

There is a second trunk I have come to treasure in my life.  The second trunk is not visible.  It is a storage chest of highly practical wisdom that God keeps deep within my heart and mind.  There it can be opened whenever I need to know the right way to go in decisions large and small.  It is filled with all the wonderful lessons I’ve learned as I’ve applied myself to read, study, and understand God’s Word.  Such a treasure is not stagnant - but growing and expanding - even as I grow and expand my knowledge of what God has said - and Who He is.  It is always there, ready to be opened, so that I can receive the counsel I need in that moment and walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord.  May you be blessed to open His Word daily and by that choice - open the treasure chest of your heart so that God may fill it to overflowing with His Word - His wisdom - and with practical understanding of His way.

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