Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
A price in the hand is useless for getting wisdom when there is no heart for it, for money cannot purchase wisdom for a fool who has no desire or understanding to receive it. Opportunity is equally powerless, since money or opportunity cannot give wisdom to one who has no desire or willingness to gain it.
In forbearance, patience and mercy God puts the price into the hand to get wisdom by pointed testimonies that hold truths, reproofs, warnings, invitations, counsel, comfort and instruction. Those testimonies are for everyone with general application, so that no one can say they are not for him. A fool is one who does not heed them as he should, who is not disposed to receive heavenly testimony and who turns away his ear when God stoops to converse with fallen man. Such a one has no heart to procure the great reward, and his loss is infinite.
The price is like capital put into a man's hand for gaining wealth, which it would be foolish to let lie idle until old age closes the scene. It is far more foolish to neglect it when the offer made is eternal life. Having a heart to wisdom means heeding with humility and devotion to the cause, living an unspotted life, and engaging in zealous, laborious effort in the cause of God. Those who do so will be protected amid the perils of the last days and may overcome.
A price in the hand is useless for getting wisdom when there is no heart for it, for money cannot purchase wisdom for a fool who has no desire or understanding to receive it. Opportunity is equally powerless, since money or opportunity cannot give wisdom to one who has no desire or willingness to gain it.
In forbearance, patience and mercy God puts the price into the hand to get wisdom by pointed testimonies that hold truths, reproofs, warnings, invitations, counsel, comfort and instruction. Those testimonies are for everyone with general application, so that no one can say they are not for him. A fool is one who does not heed them as he should, who is not disposed to receive heavenly testimony and who turns away his ear when God stoops to converse with fallen man. Such a one has no heart to procure the great reward, and his loss is infinite.
The price is like capital put into a man's hand for gaining wealth, which it would be foolish to let lie idle until old age closes the scene. It is far more foolish to neglect it when the offer made is eternal life. Having a heart to wisdom means heeding with humility and devotion to the cause, living an unspotted life, and engaging in zealous, laborious effort in the cause of God. Those who do so will be protected amid the perils of the last days and may overcome.