Final Exam: That Critical Last Class

(This reading is based on Proverbs 4 and is read in accordance with the Revived by His Word initiative of the General Conference of SDAs.)

"Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; and in all your getting, get understanding." Prov. 4: 7

Perhaps the most critical conversation I'd usually have with my lecturers during a semester takes place during that last class where I'm told how to prepare for the final examination. The final examination is usually so weighted that it can literally turn around the outcome of the entire course (determining whether you pass or fail). Many times based on how you performed during the semester, you definitely need to do well in the final examination to ensure success.

                              

A reading of chapter 4 (actually so far in the book of Proverbs) puts me in the frame of mind of sitting in that critical last class preceding the final examination that is to shortly come.  So where verse 23 says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life," it is as if as the teacher you're saying, "Make sure you attend the last class because that is where you'll receive information about the final exam.  You really do get the definite sense of that last pre-exam class, where hereafter you must do well or fail.

Now if while sitting in that class you here the teacher say, "Wisdom (or any other topic based on the particular class) is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; and in all your getting, get understanding,"  you're excitement will simply soar through the ceiling; because you get the sense that with this kind of information you shouldn't fail.  In fact, in preparing for the exam you'll understandably spend most of your time on "wisdom," then understanding after that.  And that is just the point of Proverbs: if we follow the instructions of God's word, spend time to acquire wisdom and understanding, then we should not fail to stand up to the scrutiny of the Investigative Judgement (final exam) that we all at some stage of our lives will face.

To read and/or listen to Proverbs 4 and to read other related blogs, please click here.

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