"Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge."
Proverbs 23:12
“Listen to instruction and do your best to learn” [1] (Proverbs 23:12, CEV).
“This general admonition is addressed to all, tutor and disciple, educator and educated” [2] (TPC).
As you read through the book of Proverbs, you might be impressed as I was with how much information we read about instruction, learning, and discipline. There is much about the teaching and learning of wisdom and knowledge. In fact, our verse for today is the introduction of the third set of a long run of sayings to be mastered (vv. 11-30).
Today, let’s pay attention to the relationship between our hearts and ears in our learning.
“Apply thine heart unto instruction.”
Have you ever taken a class that you were not interested in, but you enrolled to fulfill some requirement for a job or your degree? I’m guessing we all have. And what can be worse about taking a class that way? How about finding out in the first few minutes of the course that the instructor is dull and dry as dust, or maybe they don’t seem too interested in teaching us! And we have a whole semester left! I can feel your pain! And I must admit that I didn’t learn much in a class like that because I had a hard time putting my whole heart into it.
When it comes to learning the Word of God, we have a godly reason always to do our best and make its precepts a part of our hearts and lives!
“Apply your heart to instruction: Wisdom can be given out, but it must be received to be of any lasting good. The reception of wisdom isn’t passive; it is active, received with a heart that truly applies wisdom and instruction” [3] (EWC).
“Apply your heart … suggests diligence and desire for instruction…” [4] (BKC).
If we do not apply the Word of God to our hearts, it will not stick! We learn it best as we do it!
“… and apply thine heart unto my knowledge” (Proverbs 22:17b).
Interestingly, the word “instruction” used here in the Hebrew text is often translated as “discipline.”
“Discipline has to do with warnings about the consequences of errant behavior or loving correction to those who have failed to heed such warnings. It can involve physical punishment. The Hebrew word is often translated “instruction” [5] … because the goal is always edification and education, not just punishment” [6] (CSB).
For us to learn anything well, isn’t our discipline required? This goes back to the heart’s attitude as we are learning.
“A listless heart, therefore, produces a careless ear. But when the heart is graciously opened, softened, and enlightened, the attention of the ear is instantly fixed” [7] (C. Bridges, TBI).
To learn the Word, we put our heart’s into the effort!
“Apply thine heart unto instruction.” It is a knowledge that cannot be imparted irrespective of the use of man’s own faculties. He must apply persistently, earnestly, devoutly” [8] (TBI).
This is why we must always be in tune with the Savior as we do our best in learning His Word.
“And thine ears to the words of knowledge.”
We begin with our heart to obey the Lord, making it receptive. And we continue to our ears, making sure that nothing will make His voice dull as He teaches us knowledge from His Word.
“When the heart is graciously opened and enlightened, the ears instantly become attentive” [9] (Bridges – EWC)
“Applying your ears is another way of saying “pay attention and listen” [10] (BKC).
Solomon has another way of saying it –
“Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise” (Proverbs 22:17a).
“We mostly receive wisdom by what we hear, especially in the guidance we receive from the wise. Our ears must be tuned to receive and apply God’s wisdom. When the heart and the ears work together to receive wisdom, much is gained” [11] (EWC).
Dear Lord, I give you my heart. Please make it tender and pliable, always in tune with You, and receptive to your Word. And please take my ears and do not let me be distracted from the myriad of voices calling out to me in this world. My dear Shepherd, please help me keep my ears always open to your “still small voice!” Amen.
Quote: “Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years” [12] (Charles Spurgeon).
[1] CEV is the Contemporary English Version of the Bible.
[2] TPC – The Pulpit Commentary. The electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 23:12.
[3] EWC – David Guzik. Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] BKC, Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 956.
[5] That Hebrew word is translated as “instruction” in 23:12, and as “correction” in 23:13, and again “instruction” in 23:23 (KJV). And the word is used at least 30 times in Proverbs.
[6] CSB, David K. Stabnow, “Proverbs,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 954.
[7] TBI – The Biblical Illustrator, the electronic version in eSword.
[8] TBI, ibid.
[9] Bridges’ quote in EWC, ibid.
[10] BKC, ibid.
[11] EWC, ibid.
[12] Spurgeon’s quote downloaded: March 4, 2022. From: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/inspiring-quotes/25-quotes-from-influential-christians-about-the-bible.html.