Proverbs 25:2

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

     I love this Scripture!  I love it because it shows God's heart and how He wants us to seek Him.  I have heard so many people (both Christians and non-believers) say that the Bible is just too hard for them to understand... that when they read it, it doesn't make any sense to them.  And unfortunately, too many stop right there, and never make another attempt to know their Creator.  

     Because it is hard, they look for easier ways to discover who He is.  And because He has such holy standards for who He wants us to be, they often look for alternative impressions of His character, using sources outside His Word to define Him. But I assert that we should all be like Solomon, who wrote this proverb out of the wisdom and knowledge that God gave him.

     Remember that King Solomon, when asked by God, what He could give him, did not ask for possessions, wealth, honor, the lives of his enemies, or even for long life.  He asked for "wisdom and knowledge" to rule the people over whom God had given him responsibility. "Wisdom" is the Hebrew word, Chokmah, and it means "the knowledge and ability to make the right choices at the opportune time".  The consistency of making the right choice is an indication of maturity and development in a person.  The prerequisite for "wisdom" is the fear [awe, reverence] of the Lord.  When a person seeks Chokmah diligently, they will receive understanding.

     The understanding they receive is the "Knowledge" that Solomon asked for.  And knowledge is the Hebrew word, Yada", which means "to know" God and to have an intimate experiential understanding of Him; that you have a relationship with Him based on experience and observation.  It goes without saying that to "experience or observe" something or Someone, involves action on your part; namely "seeking". 

     And here is what is essential for us to grasp: the heart plays an important role in getting "to know" God.  When our hearts yearn to seek Him, we grow into fearing Him, trusting Him, and serving Him. So what Solomon is imparting to us in Proverbs 25 is this:  It is the glory of God to conceal a matter ... It gives God more glory when He, in essence, "hides" His Truth in Scripture, so that we have to decide just how hungry we are to seek it out. Because you and I need to discern that with the knowledge of God comes responsibility to Him and to others.  We must represent Him in sincerity and truth, while showing others the benefits of seeking Him and a heartfelt relationship with Him -- while holding ourselves and them accountable for sharing that knowledge.

     Then there is the other aspect of this Proverb: It is the glory of kings to search out a matter.  Revelation 1:6 tells us that Jesus "formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father".  We need to realize that we have been given legal access to this knowledge about our Father in Heaven; it is due us as kings and priests of His kingdom. The mysteries of Heaven and God are ours to receive when we diligently seek Him.  Matthew 13:11 tell us this fact: "To you [the Believer] it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them [unbelievers] it has not been granted." 

     That "hidden" knowledge that many complain about is there for the true Believer to discover as part of our inheritance as kings and priests, sons and daughters of God. But it depends on how hungry your heart is. God has given us an appetite for Him; it's in our DNA. But how many of us will strive -- in other words, struggle or make a great effort -- to understand Him? What is knowing Him worth to you?  I assure you that it will be credited to us if we hunger and thirst to search out the matters of God; and it will greatly please Him to reveal them to us.  Because in the end, it is all about His glory and power and majesty and dominion ... forever and ever. Amen.