My husband and I read in different ways. Since English is a second language for Tom, he has a tendency to read slowly, word-for-word. I often speed-read by skimming. But Tom retains more than I do. He can easily quote something he read a week ago, while my retention can evaporate seconds after I turn away from the screen or book.
Skimming is also a problem when I'm reading the Bible--and not just the genealogies. I'm tempted to skim familiar passages, stories I've heard since I was a child, or a psalm that is part of a familiar chorus.
Proverbs 2 encourages us to make the effort to know God better by carefully seeking a heart of understanding. When we read the Bible carefully and invest time memorizing Scripture, we absorb its truths more deeply (vv. 1-2). Sometimes reading the Word aloud helps us to hear and understand the wisdom of God more fully. And when we pray the words of Scripture back to God and ask Him for "insight and understanding" (v. 3), we enjoy a conversation with the Author.
We come to know God and His wisdom when we search for it with our whole heart. We find understanding when we seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure.
The book of Proverbs shows us how to live wisely. King Solomon, who was the wisest person in his day (1 Kings 4:29-34), wrote most of the proverbs. The New Living Translation Study Bible likens this book to "a compass that helps us navigate the murky waters of life. . . . Proverbs shows us that the source of all wisdom is a right relationship with God." In the first nine chapters, a father advises his son how to live successfully by pursuing wisdom, understanding, and discernment--which can come only from God and His Word. Solomon desires his son to understand what it means to fear the Lord, for "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (9:10).
