Proverbs 22:17-21 (ESV Strong's)
17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge,
18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 That your trust may be in the LORD,
I have made them known to you today, even to you.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings
of counsel and knowledge,
21 to make you know what is right and true,
that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
What is Ready on Your Lips!
To get a better understanding of the above group of proverbs we would do well to understand the word “ready” in verse 18. It is the Hebrew word, “kun” and this is what one commentator says about the word:
(Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary) to be established, be readied, be prepared, be certain, be admissible.” This verb occurs in nearly every Semitic language (not in biblical Aramaic). Kun appears in the Bible about 220 times and in all periods of Hebrew.
This root used concretely connotes being firmly established, being firmly anchored and being firm. The first meaning is applied to a roof which is “firmly established” on pillars. So Samson said to the lad who was leading him: “Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them” (Judg. 16:26).
God has given us these proverbs (and the rest of Scripture) to prepare us, to make us ready, to give the answers we need when others approach us, confront us and/or seek our council. God provided the Scriptures so we know what is “right and true.” But, not just so we know them. He also wants us to be prepared to speak them when called upon to do so. Knowing the Scriptures is imperative for the Christian walk. But, having them “ready” on our lips is what God intends. Notice how Paul spoke something similar to this to the early church:
Colossians 4:3 (ESV Strong's)
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
Paul wanted his time in prison to be an opportunity that he would open his mouth and speak the Word of God. This is one of the reasons for the proverbs. To prepare us with the wisdom we need to respond to the curious, cautious and confused world around us.
A good teacher has a reason for the teaching. If you approach learning you ought to have an objective for the learning. The above proverbs are Solomon's approach to objective-teaching. He tells us what we are to learn (Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise and apply your mind to knowledge); he tells us that if we do these things, several other things will happen: 1) The learning will be pleasent (don't underestimate the need for learning to taste good and be good for you). 2) The learning will prepare you (it will be on your lips) 3) The learning will provide us with the motivation to "trust in The Lord." 4). The learning will be a practical and day-to-day experience (I have taught you today, even you). Solomon wants us to know that God's teaching is beneficial to us and has purpose and is productive. There is nothing about God's teaching that is stale, silent, or stagnant. God's Word is active and move us. Hebrews 4 tells us that God's Word is active and sharper than a two-edged sword. If we incline our ear and our heart and apply our heart to His teaching (speaks about our totality of commitment) we can be assured that we will receive the benefits of that commitment.
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