HIDDEN VALUE
PROVERBS 20:15 NKJV
15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies,
But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
The Proverbs have an interesting take on what is valuable. Solomon, the author of the Proverbs, was one of the richest men who ever lived. In his day, silver was so plentiful that it was considered worthless. The temple that Solomon built for God had an enormous amount of gold throughout, not gold plating, but real gold. So if anyone could speak to the value of gold and rubies, it was Solomon.
In this short proverb, Solomon acknowledges that gold and rubies are valuable. They were precious in Solomon's day, and they are still precious today. There is debate regarding the most expensive gemstones, but diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies are all going to cost you. Gold is now selling for right at $1,900 per ounce.
But Solomon now describes what is precious. Lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Maybe because we are not loaded down with gold and precious stones, this proverb is difficult to swallow. I mean, if we just had enough gold and precious stones, we could sell them and solve all our problems. With enough capital, we could make our relationship problems go away. With enough cash, we can buy love. Nope, we know better. We know that we all face situations that money simply will not solve.
Solomon knew this also. Not only was he the richest man of his day, but he was also the wisest. When the Lord appeared to Solomon as a young man in a dream, God offered the young king a blank check. God told Solomon to ask for what he wanted. This was The Creator of heaven and earth asking. And Solomon asked for wisdom to be able to bless and lead God's people. (2 Chronicles 1)
Solomon's request for wisdom to be a blessing pleased God. The fact that Solomon did not ask for riches, wealth, honor, or the life of his enemies touched God's heart. So God gave him what he asked for - amazing wisdom. And God also gave him what he did not ask for - riches, wealth, and honor. Solomon asked for wisdom and got the whole enchilada, figuratively speaking, of course.
Later Solomon would write that wisdom was more precious than rubies and that all the things you may desire cannot compare with wisdom. (Proverbs 3:15) Solomon possessed things of great value, yet he valued wisdom more. He could hold things that would cost a fortune in our day, yet he had the God-given insight to know and recognize what had hidden value, godly wisdom, and knowledge.
APPLICATION
We spend much of our time on earth pursuing the things that have value in this life. Nothing wrong with that pursuit provided it's not the first focus of our lives. The first pursuit is the fear of God. That is a deep reverence for God and His ways. (Proverbs 9:10)
It is Godly wisdom and knowledge that, although hidden, is of the greatest value. Gold and rubies will probably not be nearly as precious in the next life, especially if God is paving the streets with gold. But the knowledge of God that we gain down here will continue to reap great dividends in this life and the next.