The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water. – Proverbs 20:5
Have you ever had to draw water out of a well? Today, running water is standard in most houses in the U.S., even if its source is a well. But in the Old Testament if you wanted water, you had to drop a bucket down a deep hole, allow the water to fill it, and then hoist it back up. If you had talked about “deep water” to someone then, it is very likely they would have pictured a well.
This is the picture that Proverbs 20:5 wants you to see. This verse compares the “purpose” of man’s heart to deep water. Other translations use the word “advice” in place of “purpose,” which may make this proverb easier to understand. Deep water was a metaphor for something pure, undisturbed, and somewhat hidden – like that of a well. So essentially, this proverb is saying that the true and pure wisdom, or advice of people is hidden deep within them. It takes a person with solid understanding to be able to draw it out of them.
Where are you drawing your “water” from? Are you drawing it from clean, pure wells or are you getting polluted water? Do you know how to draw out a person’s wisdom? How is your own spiritual well? Is it full of God’s truths, or does it need some “cleaning out?” Pray to God about this today. Pray over the leaders of the United States, that they may be surrounded with solid advice rooted in God and His Word.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 20:5
The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
