This chapter begins with Father telling his son to pay close attention to what he was saying (:1). When any of us listen to good advice from people we can trust, it puts us in a place to pay attention to and connect with “wisdom…understanding…insight…understanding” (2-3).
While appropriate translations, there are actually just two Hebrew root words for the above four terms – wisdom and understanding. These are also the two most mentioned character qualities in the book of Proverbs.
Wisdom has to do with “seeing life from God’s point of view.” Over and over in Proverbs it’s announced to any and all that we can start looking at life differently – from God’s perspective. It’s available and as simple as saying, “Okay, God, what value does this situation have for my life today?”
Understanding has to do with the ability to “discern between” things – like cause and effect. Used three times in these two verses, understanding is “realizing how right choices lead to a meaningful life.” Such thinking could be a game-changer for most of us.
Note also the verbs here: “turning your ear to…applying your heart to…call out for…cry aloud for.” We’re not talking about a casual interest here. I’m not considering — I’m all in!