By Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder
Insight a defined by Merriam-Webster
1) the power or act of seeing into a situation: penetration
2) the act or result of apprehending the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively
Defined from Hebrew using Strongs
Insight: bee-naw’ From H995; understanding: – knowledge, meaning, X perfectly, understanding, wisdom.
Wisdom: khok-maw’ From H2449; wisdom (in a good sense): – skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
Understanding: taw-boon’, teb-oo-naw’, to-boo-naw’ from H995; intelligence; by implication an argument; by extension caprice: – discretion, reason, skillfulness, understanding, wisdom.
If you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding, if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding, if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and you will find the knowledge of God. (Pro 2:2-5 GW)
Notes to Jumpstart Thinking
Call “out” for Wisdom (as if wisdom is your travel guide and you lost them in a foreign country).
Ask Aloud for Understanding, (as if understanding was your beloved pet that you are calling to come home for food).
Search for Wisdom (as if it were your only set of keys, and without them you will not be able to drive or even get back into your home).
To grasp wisdom and discipline, to understand deep thoughts, to acquire the discipline of wise behavior—righteousness and justice and fairness— to give insight to gullible people, to give knowledge and foresight to the young— a wise person will listen and continue to learn, and an understanding person will gain direction (Pro 1:2-5)
Faithfully obey these laws. This will show the people of the world your wisdom and insight. When they hear about all these laws, they will say, “What wise and insightful people there are in this great nation!” (Deu 4:6 GW)
Jumpstart Thinking
How can I gain insight through obedience to God’s Word?
How can I show the world God’s wisdom through my actions?
How can I live so that others see His understanding in me?
God gave Solomon wisdom-keen insight and a mind as limitless as the sand on the seashore. (1Ki 4:29 GW)
Jumpstart Thinking
How can I ask God to enlarge my heart for insight like Solomon’s?
How can I depend on His Spirit instead of my own mind?
How can I prepare my thoughts to receive divine wisdom?
References
- Holy Bible, God’s Word Translation (GW) citations as noted.
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary, entry on insight.
- Standard Hebrew lexicons referencing Strong H995 and H2449.
