Connect Job 12:11 with Proverbs 2:6 on seeking wisdom and understanding. Listening for True Wisdom “Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?” (Job 12:11) Just as taste buds instantly recognize sweet or bitter, God designed the human ear—and the heart behind it—to evaluate what is true or false. Discernment is assumed to be both possible and necessary. The verse affirms that truth is objective and can be tested (cf. 1 John 4:1). The Source of Wisdom “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6) Wisdom is not self-generated; it is a divine gift. “From His mouth” echoes creation in Genesis 1—when God speaks, reality forms, and so does understanding (cf. Psalm 33:6). The Lord’s words are literally recorded in Scripture, establishing the Bible as the primary fountain of wisdom (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Putting the Verses Together Job 12:11 highlights our God-given capacity to judge words; Proverbs 2:6 reveals the only infallible standard by which to make that judgment—the words that proceed from the Lord. Without a trustworthy source, discernment is guesswork. Because Scripture is accurate and literal, it supplies the vocabulary, categories, and boundaries for wisdom. Therefore, every idea we “taste” must be compared with what God has spoken. Practical Steps to Seek Wisdom Today 1. Open Scripture daily. • Read broadly, but meditate deeply (Psalm 1:2). 2. Ask God directly. • “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). 3. Listen actively. • Like sheep who recognize the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27), train your ear by repeated exposure to His Word. 4. Test every teaching. • Use the “ear test” of Job 12:11; confirm with the “mouth of the Lord” in Proverbs 2:6 (Acts 17:11). 5. Practice what you learn. • Discernment grows with use (Hebrews 5:14). Obedience sharpens perception. Key Takeaways • God created us with the capacity to discern truth. • His own Word is the definitive, error-free source of wisdom. • Seeking, hearing, and obeying Scripture unite Job 12:11 and Proverbs 2:6 into a single, life-giving pursuit: taste every word, but trust only the Lord’s. |
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