March 30, 2026 -- Proverbs 8:10-11 -- Greatest treasure: wisdom

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Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
Proverbs 8:10-11 ESV
 
Instruction, which over the long term of receiving it, is discipline in following the ways of the LORD; and knowledge which comes from the LORD leads a man to desire to know more about God and His ways. Together instruction and knowledge forge wisdom in the life of a godly person. Wisdom is the expression of instruction and knowledge which have accrued over a lifetime.
 
Instruction is like silver. It has value and is not common. Knowledge is even more valuable, as the writer compares it to gold. What is of greater value than both? Jewels. Wisdom is a jewel that ever increases in value. There is no short-cut to wisdom. One must continually be instructed in the word of God. The Spirit leading the godly person to implement all the wise instruction so that by this persistent teaching he is laser-focused on his purpose of serving God. Knowledge can make a believer proud and thus become misdirected godliness (which has no value). Appropriate knowledge of the Holy One leads the believer to know the majesty of God, and His saving work, humbling the believer making him even more open, hungrier for more of God.
 
Luke records that Jesus “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him” (Luke 2:40). Wisdom is gained through experience. Trial. Suffering. Having one’s desires submitted to God. As the writer of Proverbs shows in these verses, instruction must proceed wisdom. Constant, faithful, daily, godly instruction. Then as one grows, there is a hunger for more instruction, as one matures, this instruction becomes knowledge. Knowledge integrates the teaching received, so that one can discern right from wrong, and right from nearly right.
 
Jesus, as a lad, stayed in the temple, listening to the teachers there. That is a key point. Too often those who are supposed to be instructed, want to hear themselves talking. Instruction that leads to knowledge must ask questions and listen at length to the answers given. Hear what was said. Ponder it. Fully taking it in and digesting it. Luke then notes, at the end of Jesus’ childhood, “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).
 
Those who are believers in Jesus Christ have been made new. Their sins forgiven. Their thinking and reasoning are purified from the contamination of sin and their warped-away-from-God, naturally occurring desires are straightened. Thus, believers are, by the Spirit’s power, able to submit their will and desires to bring them in line with God’s ways. It is only after a man or a woman yields their whole self in submission to God, that such a person can receive instruction, grow in knowledge and gain wisdom. As you read, instruction, knowledge and wisdom are the greatest treasures of this life, only acquired by those who belong to Jesus and are kept humble, teachable before Him by the Holy Spirit.
 
Father in heaven, I confess I have not considered instruction, knowledge and wisdom as the greatest treasures that I could receive. I have pursued selfish purposes, worldly gain, and things in this life which quickly fade away. Instruction, knowledge and wisdom are treasures that can not be stolen; these are precious as they serve to increase my walk with You, grow greater joy in Christ and lead to fuller reliance on the Holy Spirit. Oh God, forgive me for the many times I have been too proud to be instructed. As Jesus taught, so I pray: ‘Father, may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’; Father, help me to walk in Your will, and in Your ways. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/clqdCXxqYvI?si=XBA2QIdWiGLKHYe9 Be Thou My Vision

 

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