What other scriptures emphasize the importance of knowledge and understanding? Context: Proverbs 19:2 “Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.” Knowledge keeps zeal from going off-course; Scripture repeats this theme in many places. Wisdom’s Ongoing Call in Proverbs • Proverbs 4:5-7 — “Get wisdom, get understanding… Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.” • Proverbs 18:15 — “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.” • Proverbs 24:3-4 — “By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.” Wisdom Literature Beyond Proverbs • Ecclesiastes 7:12 — “For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.” • Psalm 119:66 — “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.” Prophetic Warnings About Ignorance • Hosea 4:6 — “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you as My priests…” • Isaiah 5:13 — “Therefore My people will go into exile for lack of understanding; their nobles will die of hunger and their masses will be parched with thirst.” Gospels and Jesus’ Definition of Life • John 17:3 — “Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” • Matthew 22:29 — Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Paul’s Epistles on Growing in Knowledge • Colossians 1:9-10 — “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord…” • Philippians 1:9-10 — “…that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent…” • Ephesians 1:17-18 — “…may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened…” • Romans 10:2 — “For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.” Pastoral Letters and Practical Study • 2 Timothy 2:15 — “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.” • 1 Timothy 2:4 — God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Peter, James, and Living It Out • 2 Peter 1:5-8 — “Make every effort to add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge… For if these qualities are yours and increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” • James 1:5 — “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Putting It Together • Scripture ties knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to every arena of life—worship, obedience, love, and ministry. • Zeal becomes fruitful when anchored in God’s revealed truth; without knowledge, even good intentions “miss the mark.” • The consistent call: seek, ask, study, grow—because knowing God and His Word shapes every step of faith. |
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