Proverbs 20:15 Commentary and Bible Study

The proverb makes a comparison, and yet it does not use a comparative adjective anywhere; it expresses the comparative only by speaking of the excellence of the latter and by using the single word ‘but’, and allows the reader to understand its superiority. There is gold and everyone knows its value, though few possess it in any quantity. Many who do not have it crave it and think that if they had it, all their problems would be solved and they would be content. Similarly, there are costly stones, perhaps rubies, literally corals, which sparkle and allure so remarkably, but few can get hold of the real thing, and some make do with cheaper imitations. The world sets a high value on such things, attaching a high price to them, and presumes that all desire to possess them. On the other hand, there are treasures which are far less appreciated, but which in truth have much greater value. The lips of knowledge are possessed by few, for the wisdom of heart which can speak with knowledge is rare indeed and hard to obtain. It is not to be found on earth but comes from God alone and he gives it only to those who love him and study his truth. To compare the relative merits of gold and knowledge we need to think what each can do, what each can give their owner. Gold is of course one of the most precious objects on earth, because it does not decay, does not react with other elements, and has an intrinsic value. It is obtained by hard labour from inaccessible places and exists in relatively small quantities. It can be exchanged for a multitude of other things which man regards as precious, but it belongs to the earth and can only purchase other earthly things. It has no value in heaven and it cannot be taken with us when life ends. It has no power to redeem the soul (Psalm 49:7-8) nor can it purchase anything in the world to come. It has no intrinsic value to the Lord, and belongs equally to converted and unconverted without being a peculiar possession of the righteous. Knowledge, that is true knowledge, on the other hand obtains treasure in heaven. Gold may pay a ransom on earth to set free from an earthly prison. Knowledge takes hold of the ransom which Christ has paid and obtains the salvation of God and obtains eternal redemption. Gold is exchanged in the market places of this world, but knowledge does business in the market place of the soul, in the Lord’s market place. Gold will eventually perish when all things are destroyed by God, but knowledge lasts for ever. Gold adds to what we possess, not to our persons, but knowledge becomes part of us and is not so much an increase to what we possess as what we are. There is knowledge that perishes, but there is also knowledge that remains forever in the hearts of those who live forever. Let us therefore desire what has true value and not be taken in by what is passing away.