Proverbs 20:5, How To Get Wisdom
December 25, Proverbs 20:5
James 1:1-8 “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
How To Get Wisdom
Cowper makes the interesting distinction that knowledge is gained from the thoughts of other men, but wisdom is based on one’s own thoughts! Two interpretations are suggested for this Proverb. Counsel, is deep water, but understanding will draw it out. One view is that it refers to an inner source of wisdom in man that can be drawn out by another who has understanding. The second view is that it refers to a wise counsellor who is able to reveal the deepest intentions, good or evil, in human nature.
1. The Restrained: Here is one who has abundance of good counsel, but it is locked away as in a deep well within him. It can be drawn out by another man of understanding, that is, by one who has the skill to let down the bucket and draw it out. This is a restrained person who either through timidity or modesty generally keeps his wisdom to himself. Much that passes for conversation, even in smart company, is often frivolous and shallow, if not downright vulgar. Where the wise are silent, fools rush in and gush out a lot of meaningless babble. Generally, able men will not press their wisdom on others. But if someone is present who has the ability and opportunity, he may draw out that wisdom to the benefit of all present. This is likened to the stone placed over the well’s mouth, which Jacob rolled away for Rachel, and watered the flocks of Laban (Gen. 29:10)! How often this is in fact the case! The water is within reach, but cannot be drawn up to refresh all because it is deep and still. There is no bubbling up from within. “Wisdom is profitable not only for the life to come, but likewise for the present life” (Lawson).
2. The Researched: The second interpretation suggests that this verse refers rather to the person who can bring to light things hidden in the heart of another which that person cannot or will not express for himself. Here the man of understanding will draw out the deepest thoughts or intentions from within another person. Asking the right questions and then setting them in their true light may do this. Once brought to the surface, these counsels can be examined and dealt with. We see examples of this in Job’s dealings with his mistaken comforters (21:27-29), the Queen Sheba’s hard questions for Solomon (1 Kg. 10:17), and the Apostle Paul’s handling of troublemakers (Phil. 1:15-17). Yet, who can fathom the depths of man’s heart? Human counsellors can draw out some of the water, but they cannot penetrate to the bottom of another man’s heart. Most of us cannot even do that, for we have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep (Jn. 4). David knew something of the subtle counsels of wicked men, but he trusted God to draw out their designs and expose them (Ps. 64). Only God has that power. He searches the heart and tries the reins (Jer. 17:9-10; 1 Cor. 2:11). He knows us better than we know ourselves. God, indeed, has the wisdom we need, and the simplest soul may have it for the asking!
Thought: “God not only sees man, He sees through them” (Henry).
Prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23).