A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
It is only the self-confident blusterer who considers himself superior to instruction.
(A “blusterer” is someone who speaks or acts in a loud, boastful, and aggressive way, often to create a false impression or intimidate others.)
Readiness to learn is ever characteristic of the truly wise. That which is worthy of our contemplation is not always simply expressed; for God would have the senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
It must be evident to any tyro (novice) that were it God’s desire but to impart information to His creatures concerning the way to heaven and Christian responsibility, He could have done so in a much simpler way than that through which He has chosen to give us His truth.
But this would have done away with that exercise which is both for our blessing and for His glory. Hence the exhortation, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim. 2:15). “Dark sayings” become luminous when the men of God studies them having eyes anointed with the eye-salve of the Spirit of truth.
(Eye salve is the capacity for spiritual discernment. With Jesus’ eye salve, we can begin to see ourselves realistically.
(Commentary by H.A. Ironside)