◄ What Does Proverbs 25:2 Mean? ►

When the young prince Solomon was to be crowned king of Israel as David's anointed son and heir, the Lord appeared to him and said to him: "Ask for whatever you want Me to give you." Solomon recalled that God had dealt with his father David with lovingkindness and tender mercy, and he also acknowledged that it was God Who had appointed him to be king in his father's place.

And so we read that this young man asked the Lord for wisdom and knowledge. He asked that God would be with him as he governed the people of Israel. He did not ask for fame, fortune, long life, or honour, but recognised his lack of experience and requested wisdom to govern the people of God and knowledge to know what to do. Since he was about to become God's appointed ruler over His people Israel, Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge so that he would be enabled to rule with integrity and grace: "For who can rule this great people of Yours?" was Solomon thoughtful response.

God was pleased with this humble request, and because the young king did not ask for riches, wealth, longevity, honour, or the life of those who hated him, the Lord not only granted his petition for wisdom and understanding, but added: "I will also give you riches and wealth and honour, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you."

God gave Solomon great wisdom, very great discernment, and a breadth of mind that was like the sand that is on the seashore. And so we read that Solomon's excelled in wisdom which surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. And here in Proverbs we read one of the many thousands of Solomon's prophetic, insightful and wise sayings: "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."

God in His eternal and infinite wisdom has chosen to share with the fallen race of finite humanity certain truths of His Person, His character, His purpose, and His plans for the redemption of mankind. He made us in His own image with a mind to think and a will to choose. He displayed His glory in the heaven above and the earth below. He caused holy apostles and prophets of God to pen the Scriptures which are profitable for our learning, for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness. And God in His grace sent Jesus to be the image of the invisible God, Who existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.

God in His grace has shown us many things, through nature, through our inner conscience, and through His God-breathed Word, but there still remains many secret things that are hidden from us within the created universe, and there are many glorious truths that are hidden in the inerrant Word of God. And in His grace God gave us an enquiring mind and the capacity to investigate, to learn, and to search out the truth so that we can make sound judgements and give wise counsel.

Not all the mysteries of God can be searched out for He is infinite in wisdom and understanding, and His ways are past finding out. But in His grace He allows those that are prepared to search for Him with all their heart to discover a treasure trove of truth that is hidden beneath the surface of Scripture, and in some cases are concealed within the physical, created realm. We will find out truth, grow in grace, and increase in wisdom as we search for Him with all our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. For it is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

As Christians, we are not only kings and priests, but as God's redeemed children we are called to be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily to check the veracity of what was being taught in their meetings. Some complain of discrepancies or even contradictions in the Word of God, and others like to allow popular teachers to spoon feed them with a somewhat distorted gospel; but God's Word is clear and altogether true. And we are instructed to search out the truth as we read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the whole counsel of God so that we may grow in grace, mature in the faith, and discover the hidden things of God. For the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things He has revealed belong to us and to our children forever, to our good and to His glory.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the simple truth of salvation and the things in Your Word that are quickly discernible on the surface. Thank You for Your promise that those that seek out the deep things of God through steady and systematic study of the Word of God, a heart that is truly teachable, and a spirit that is thoroughly submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit of God, will discover many hidden truths and secret treasures within Your Word. May I be a diligent student and search out those secret things which are hidden from our view. In Jesus' name, AMEN.