Today's Scripture:
Exodus 5:1-4, Exodus 33:11-17

Key Verse:
Proverbs 15:14

"The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness."

The Point:

A Thriving Heart Seeks Knowledge

Today's Key Verse (Proverbs 15:14 quoted above) is a simple verse, but it slices the world in two. On one side, the wise heart, restless, never still, always hungering for more. On the other hand, the fool, content to shovel down scraps of garbage, blind to his own starvation.

Notice the verb: seeketh. A thriving heart doesn't sit idle like a stone in the riverbed. It moves, it hungers, it searches. But this hunger is not for trivia or the swollen pride of being clever. It is a hunger born of reverence. Proverbs 1:7 sets the mark by which we should strive: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Here is the dividing line. A man may be learned, stuffed with books and degrees, but without the fear of the LORD, his knowledge is brittle as parchment left in the rain. True knowledge begins in awe. It starts with bowing low before God.

And yet the fool delights in garbage. "The mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness." He cannot help it - it is his chosen meal. He stuffs himself on entertainments, half-truths, and hollow philosophies, then spits out words that rot the air. It is no different than Israel grumbling in the wilderness, craving Egypt's leeks and onions while heaven rained down bread: "We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes." (Numbers 11:5-6) The fool will always prefer Egypt's scraps to God's feast.

But the heart that fears the LORD knows where the true storehouse lies. It treasures doctrine, not as dusty parchment or out of tradition, but as bread for the soul. Paul told Timothy: "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Timothy 4:16)

So, the thriving heart learns to guard itself. It chooses carefully what it will eat. For what you feed upon will become the director of your actions.

Example:

The contrast between Pharaoh and Moses perfectly illustrates Proverbs 15:14.

Picture it. Moses stands before Pharaoh with God's command burning on his tongue: "Let My people go." (Exodus 5:1) Pharaoh leans back on his throne, eyes narrow, and laughs. "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go." (Exodus 5:2)

This was not the laughter of a man who didn't know better. It was the laughter of a man who refused to learn. Willful ignorance, sharpened into pride. Even as the Nile bled red, even as locusts darkened the sky, even as darkness swallowed the land - Pharaoh's heart fed on rebellion. Foolishness upon foolishness, each morsel hardening him until ruin was all that remained.

Now turn the pages a few chapters. Moses, the same man God used to stretch his rod and split the sea, who saw Egypt brought low, who watched Israel walk free - this Moses does not boast. He prays. "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee." (Exodus 33:13)

Do you hear the difference? Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey?" Moses said, "Show me Thy way, that I may know Thee." One heart despised knowledge and choked on folly. The other hungered for God Himself and was filled.

And here is the truth laid bare: no heart is ever still. It is always hungry. It is always reaching for another mouthful. The only question is what you are feeding it. Foolishness will call for more foolishness until it devours you whole. But the knowledge of God - that hunger deepens and sweetens. It steadies the hand. It strengthens the soul. It overflows into faith and life.

What you feed on today decides what you will overflow with tomorrow.

Study Today's Scriptures (Exodus 5:1-4, Exodus 33:11-17) and Today's Key Verse (Proverbs 15:14) and answer the following Reflection Questions:

1. What am I really, hungry for most days - more of God, or just more of the world's noise?
2. If someone listened to my words, would they hear the overflow of God's truth or the overflow of junk?
3. Have I been treating God's Word as optional instead of as daily bread?
4. When God speaks, am I more like Pharaoh - resisting - or Moses - leaning in, wanting to know Him more?