The Berean Expositor
Volume 36 - Page 9 of 243
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Returning to our text (Prov. 3: 5, 6) we further observe that there is a correspondence
instituted between "trust" and "lean"; and between "with all thine heart" and "in all thy
ways". The "heart" deals with the life and motive force within, the "ways" deal with the
outgoings of this hidden power in active and practical service. It is important to keep the
divine order. Mere outward conformity, "ways", without inward reality, "hearts", is a
self-blinding form of hypocrisy.
#2.
Epignosis and Epiginosko refer to acknowledgment
rather than added knowledge.
pp. 35 - 37
When it is true that "all the heart" is engaged with the things of God the normal
outward expression will be an acknowledgment of Him in "all our ways". This close
association of "heart" and "way" is very clearly seen in Psalm 119::
"The undefiled in the WAY . . . . . seek Him with the whole HEART" (1, 2).
The question:
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his WAY?"
is followed by the statement:
"With my whole HEART have I sought Thee" (9, 10).
Again the Psalmist says:
"I will run the WAY of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my HEART" (32).
In the next stanza we read:
"Teach me, O Lord, the WAY of Thy statutes."
and its echo:--
"Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea I shall observe it with my
whole HEART" (33, 34).
And yet again:--
"Incline my HEART unto Thy testimonies . . . . . quicken Thou me in Thy WAYS"
(36, 37).
So in verse fifty-eight we have the "whole heart" followed in verse fifty-nine by "I
thought on my ways".