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Understanding The Terms
Sometimes, the most important words in a text are so small and simple that we don’t even see them while reading the passage. We find this to be the case in a text that explains a most important truth about God’s spiritual blessings in Christ.
In Proverbs 2, we find three words that are often thought of as insignificant. They are so insignificant that we often don’t even see them while reading the passage. The truth that these three words point out is that God’s spiritual blessings are conditional. Those three words are: “IF,” “AND,” and “THEN.” We need to identify these “term” words, but more importantly, we need to meet those “terms.” Here is the text:
“My son, if you accept my words
AND store up my commands within you,
listening closely to wisdom AND
directing your heart to understanding;
furthermore, If you call out to insight
AND life your voice to understanding,
IF you seek it like solve AND
search for it like hidden treasure,
THEN you will understand
the fear of the Lord AND
discover the knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 2.1-5
