Proverbs 4:20-22

My son, attend to my words.

Divine principles

“The words of wisdom” are the vehicles of those Divine principles the reception and embodiment of which by man are essential to his well-being.

I. The method of gaining them.

1. There must be the attentive ear.

2. There must be the steadfast look.

3. There must be the enshrining heart.

II. The blessedness of having them.

1. They are life to those who find them; they are the soul-quickening elements.

2. They are health.

Life without health is scarcely worth living. These principles not only give life to the soul, but they also supply the nutriment and stimulate the activities that ensure health--health of all kinds. (D. Thomas, D.D.)

Call to attention

The motives that call for our attention are exceedingly powerful. It is a father that speaks. The things which are spoken are of quickening and invigorating virtue. They are life to such as find them, and health not only to the soul, but to the body; not to a particular part of it, but to all flesh. A medicine effectual to the cure of a single member might soon enrich the inventor of it. Here is a medicine for all the flesh, and yet the physician that prescribes it without reward finds so few willing to make use of it that he must proclaim its virtues again and again. Here is a physician of infinite value; attend to the directions which he gives for the management of our whole life. (G. Lawson.)