PROVERBS 4:7b
“Though it cost everything you have, get understanding” New International Version
“And in all your getting, get understanding.” New King James Version
“If it costs everything you have, get understanding.” New Century Version
“Write this at the top of your list: Get understanding.” The Message
Why? What is so great about understanding? Among the all the talk about Wisdom and her importance Solomon puts this in here. Wisdom gives us judgment, but understanding gives us comprehension, (or so Webster’s dictionary would tell us).
Many times I have heard it said that, “I wish I could understand what is going on”, or even, “I can’t begin to comprehend what (insert situation here) feels like.” When we completely understand people and their situations it costs us dearly. The greatest testimony to understanding was done on the cross. When Jesus utters the words, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He was able to comprehend to a magnitude far greater than that of our own accord. Understanding requires us to literally put ourselves in someone else shoes. To feel what they feel. Jesus, put himself in our place on that cross. He understood us, our sin, our hurts, our joys, and the sacrifice that he was making.
Understanding oozed forth from the cross. Understanding sat with the tax collectors, Understanding conversed with a woman at the well, Understanding caused controversy, Understanding saw Peter’s denial, Understanding took judgment and replaced it with compassion and grace.
Why is understanding so important? Why is it the thing to have at the top of our list? Why are we encouraged to get it no matter what it costs us? Could it be because understanding has nothing to do with us and everything to do with the people around us?
I urge you to find out for yourself. To truly dive into the Proverbs 3 and 4 and see why, Solomon, the man who asked God for nothing more than wisdom, urges us to get understanding
