Prov 7:1 [ESV] My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;
Since the 16th Century the English word “keep” has also been used as a term for the tower, the strongest part, at the centre of a castle. It was the place of last resort, when all other defences were breached, during a siege or attack. It was heavily fortified and much easier to defend than attack.
I’m fairly certain that the writer of this Proverb did not have this in mind when he wrote down this instruction. However, I love the picture it makes. One where we take God’s word and allow it to go to the deepest areas of our lives, to become entwined with us, so that no matter the pressure, the attacks, the failures, or the challenges, it stays there, guarding us against the schemes of the evil one.
KNOWLEDGE
So, now that we know this, what does that mean?
God has chosen to communicate to us through His word – his Son, Jesus. If we really want to know how to hear from God, all we really need to know, is that if we read the bible regularly, and trust Him, He will highlight something to us – and when He does; we should respond.
UNDERSTANDING – Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word for “keep” in Hebrew is pronounced “samar” and carries the meaning of , be secured; to cling to; to beware; to watch and to observe, amongst several more.
In the LXX the word used is – φύλασσε (phulasse), appearing 31 times in the New testament, carrying the meeing of. “to keep” and “to guard”.
The question I am asking myself is “how well secured is God’s word in my day-to-day life right now?”
WISDOM – what has God said to you through His word, that you maybe need to remind yourself of, and hold on to tightly?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Belief – Gallup’s strength of “Belief” reflects a commitment to deeply held principles, much like Proverbs 7:1, which emphasizes cherishing wisdom and commandments.
Proverbs 7:1 encourages devotion to wisdom, and a life guided by core values and principles.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – “my dearest child, secure to yourself my sayings, and cherish and conceal these instructions”
My son – my dearest child
keep – secure to yourself
my words – my sayings
and treasure up my – and cherish and conceal these
commandments with you- instructions
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to come to you and your word, and to retain what you impart to me, that it may guide me and inform others.
To chat to me as a professional coach/mentor – allan@theallankey.com
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to encourage me?