Cry After Knowledge

I was moved today as I pondered this passage in Proverbs: “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:2-5).  We shouldn’t just desire knowledge, but should cry out for it; we should seek for it as if it were silver; we should search for knowledge as if it were a hidden treasure, for it is.  When we desire knowledge that much that we will search after it with that kind of zeal and desire, then we shall indeed “find the knowledge of God.”  The implicit teaching I think here is that we should desire knowledge more than we seek for worldly riches; we should yearn for understanding more than we go after physical possessions.  I wonder if Abinadi wasn’t quoting this passage when he told the priests of Noah: “Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise” (Mosiah 12:27).  These priests had indeed chosen riches and the things of the world the wisdom and knowledge of God.

               It makes sense that this passage would be in Proverbs, presumably written by Solomon, because Solomon was so committed to knowledge and understanding.  The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, saying, “Ask what I shall give thee.”  With that opportunity to ask for anything, Solomon said, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad” (1 Kings 3:5,9).  When he could have chosen the things of the world, he sought understanding and wisdom.  The Lord was pleased, saying, “Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart” (1 Kings 3:11-12).  Because he chose wisdom over riches, the Lord blessed him with both.  We too must be willing to make the same choice to choose first to seek after knowledge and understanding before we search for worldly possessions and wealth.

Abraham was one who also sought for knowledge earnestly from the Lord.  He wrote, “I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge” (Abraham 1:2).  He sought the knowledge of the Lord, and was essentially homeless for much of life, not having significant material things. But to him, it was knowledge and understanding of the things of the Lord that he cried out for, and that’s what he received.