Psalm 49:4 - May 27, 2009

Ps. 49:4 "I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle." NIV

A musical riddle, a proverb that needs our attention; what is this all about? In biblical times the use of a proverb was a customary part of teaching and imparting wisdom for life. Proverbs and parables are tools that communicate many layered truth in such a way that the more reflection is applied to them the deeper the revelation and understanding that they impart to the one who considers them. Song of Solomon addresses the teaching purpose inherent in the use of proverbs and parables as a form of instruction. He states in Eccl 12:11 “The words of the wise are like goads.” Consider the intent then of one who teaches in such methods. The goal is to provoke, to agitate thought so as to cause someone to consider deeper issues that only those willing to humble themselves and honestly reflect upon will be able to unravel the truth that is embedded within them.
Jesus regularly applied parables to the religious and cultural patterns that he was seeking to confront or instruct them about. Matt 13:34-35 gives us tremendous insight into why the Lord used this method. “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world." His speaking was both a fulfillment of a Messianic prophecy and a revelation of hidden truth; principles of God that had been hidden for ages and it was now time to reveal.
Consider what we are to learn about God’s ways as we understand God’s use of proverbs and parables. It is one of the cultural ways of God to speak in terms that require us to meditate and reflect upon the instruction of correction if we truly want to gain the depths of what God is trying to speak. As we reflect we will discover what a master craftsmen of words of wisdom our heavenly father is. Solomon speaks of himself in such a way as to reveal the depths of what he has imbedded in his teachings. How much more can we be confident that the heavenly father is doing the same thing every time He speaks to us? Jesus contrasts his wisdom with that of Solomon in Matt 12:42 as he speaks of the queen of Sheba and her desire to learn from Solomon, “She came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.” Christ’s wisdom was greater than the great writer of parables and now listen to Solomon’s self-description of the depths and quality of his parables: Eccl 12:9-10 “Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.”
If Solomon “pondered and searched out and set in order” those principles that he wanted to convey, if he “searched to find just the right words…” how much more can this be expected of both Christ Jesus and the Father considering that Paul went as far as to say in Col 2:3 that in “Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Now go back in your mind and consider every word the Lord has spoken to you, every dream he has ever poured out upon you and understand that our infinitely wise God is a profoundly skilled teacher and He is speaking in language that is intended to draw you to Him. Consider Mark 4:33-34 which sheds great light upon the teaching methods of Jesus. “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” The point of this passage is easily communicated by asking one question. “Who was it that had everything explained to them?” The answer is simple: the disciples who got alone with Jesus!
Get alone with Jesus today and let him be your counselor, teacher and friend. Ask him to open your understanding and give you wisdom. Ask him to explain those things that he has shown you that you have only understood in part. It is His delight to teach those who come with a humble and willing spirit.