Then Shalt Thou Understand

Proverbs 2:5

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:9

Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

The conjunctive adverb "then" indicates connection with the previous ideas stated before. These first 9 verses actually captures the key to a successful life as a child of God.

The first 5 talks about the "what and the how" while the next 4 tells us the "why".

The "fear of the Lord" is a well oft quoted concept and here it is coupled with "find(ing)" the knowledge of God. How shall it be achieved? What shall one do?

Notice the multiple actions that are found in the preceding verses :

V.1 - receive my words, hide my commandments

V.2 - incline thine ear unto wisdom, apply thine heart to understanding

V.3 - criest after knowledge, liftest up thy voice for understanding

V.4 - seekest her as silver, searchest for her as for hid treasures

Over and over again, we see an action and a pro-active attitude. You see, fearing God, knowing God intimately is something that we need to work at and be diligent in! One cannot expect to attain or even appreciate that of the Lord without putting one's shoulder to the wheel!

But then is it just blindly chugging along? Do we just give and give while God is like some tyrannical dictator merely taking and taking?

Far from it! You see, God is able to make perfect demands because He is able to give perfect rewards. Notice the rest of the verses:

V.6 - giveth wisdom, cometh knowledge and understanding 

V.7 - layeth up sound wisdom, he is a buckler 

v.8 - keepeth (guards)the paths of judgment, preserveth the way of his saints.

That's why we understand why He demands! That's why we are able to appreciate the things we are commanded of! That's why we will continue to do as He instructs!

Thanks be to God for such goodness and mercy! And God help us all to persevere in SEEKING AFTER and DOING His will, that we may appear right before Him in the Day of Judgment and be received into His everlasting glory and pleasure.