754.]
[This idea is strongly inculcated in the words before us : " we should incline our ear, and apply our heart to under- standing, and seek it as silver, and search for it as for hid treasures." We should consider the inspired volume as an inexhaustible mine, which yields nothing to a superficial observer, but will richly repay those who explore its inmost recesses. To this effect was the direction given to Joshua'' ; and if we follow that advice, we shall succeed like the Be- reans of old*^. It is the diligent hand, and that only, that can ever make us rich.]
3. Prayer —
[Nothing will succeed without prayer. A man might commit to memory the whole Bible, and yet not understand one spiritual truth contained it, if he trusted in his own powers, instead of looking up to God for the teaching of his Spirit. Our blessed Lord assures us, that none knoweth the Father, but he to whom the Son shall reveal him*^. And this also is intimated in the repeated direction given us in the text, to " cry after knowledge, and lift up our voice for under- standing." The Apostles themselves needed to have " their understandings opened, before they could understand the Scriptures^." Yea, established Christians still need "a spirit of wisdom and revelation to be given" to them, in order to their obtaining a juster view of revealed truths'^. All of us therefore, if we would be taught of God, must cry with David, *' Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law'."]
For the encouragement of all, Solomon further declares,
III. The certain issue of those means —
God is the source and giver of all spiritual know- ledge—
[Nothing can be more positive than the assertion before us. That " God giveth wisdom, and that out of his mouth Cometh knowledge and understanding." It is in this view that he is called, " The Father of lights •" ;" because as that bright luminary, the sun, was the work of his hands, so all light, in- tellectual or spiritual, is derived from him. Human learning gives a man no advantage towards the attainment of true wisdom. All, under God, depends on the state of mind with which men seek divine knowledge : if they be willing to " learn of the Father'," he will teach them: if they be too proud to
^ Josh. i. 8. e Acts xvii. 11. f Matt. xi. 27.
g Luke xxiv. 45. ^ Eph. i. 17, 18. > Ps. cxix. 18.
^ Jam. i. 17. ' John vi. 45.