By way of spiritual application, let's read the following passage as if it were God speaking directly to us concerning our responsibility toward His holy word. What a great privilege to have the pure word of God! With great privilege comes great responsibility.
(17) Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
(18) For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
(19) That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
(20) Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
(21) That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
What is said in this passage certainly applies to all scripture and not just the proverbs. The Bible is:
1. The words of the wise2. God’s knowledge (“my knowledge”, what He wants us to know)
3. Excellent things in counsels and knowledge
4. Certain words of truth
I love the expression in v.21, "the certainty of the words of truth"! In a world that is filled with uncertainty isn't it wonderful to know the certainty of the words of truth? Webster's 1828 dictionary defines certainty as, "a fixed or real state; fact; full assurance of mind; exemption from doubt; exemption from failure."
Most people, even professing Christians, set their affection on the things of this earth. For example, they live as though their life consists in the abundance of the things that they possess (Lk. 12:15). But the only thing that is certain about riches is that they are uncertain (Prov. 23:4-5; 1 Tim. 6:17-19) and we certainly cannot carry them out of this world (1 Tim. 6:7). King Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived (outside of Christ) and he was also the richest man that ever lived. He said that God's wisdom is much more precious than all riches (Prov. 3:13-18; 8:10-11). Yet most people are far more interested in material things than the spiritual things of God that revealed in the word of God.
(6) The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
(7) The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
(8) The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
(34) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
(35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
The truth of the Bible is certain, but how certain is it to YOU? Can you personally testify that you KNOW the certainty of the words of truth? Do you just know some things about the Bible because of what others have taught you or do you personally know the Bible is God’s word because you have studied it for yourself and believe it with all of your heart?
In v.17-18 there are 5 steps to personally knowing the certainty of the words of truth.
1. Preparation - "Bow down thine ear" (humility) 2. Reception - "hear the words of the wise" (spiritually, 1 Cor. 2:6-19)
3. Application - "apply thine heart unto my knowledge"
4. Meditation - "keep them within thee" (Ps. 119:11)
5. Confession - "they shall withal be fitted in thy lips" (2 Cor. 4:13)
This explains why so few professing Christians witness to the lost or even talk about the things of God with other believers. As Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34).
In v.19-21 there are two main purposes for knowing the certainty of the words of truth.
1. That we might trust in the Lord (v.19) – How can we trust a person we don't know?
2.
That we might be able to answer others (v.21b)
- Every believer should be able to communicate what the Bible says to those
that ask (Prov. 15:28; Col. 4:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:15). We must not keep the truth to our self!
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