“Buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23) comes to my mind while pondering an introduction for this season’s newsletter, commending Early Foundations Publisher’s efforts. Gladly I comply with their request in light of the above-mentioned text, as EFP puts forth unrelenting efforts to encourage clients to buy the truth. Truth as a theme is a very comprehensive subject, because there are many truths in the lie-filled world we live in today. Let us remember that in every circumstance we deal with, there is always a truth. Sometimes there is a truth behind a truth. Or even a truth in a lie. Sometimes a truth and a lie are hardly distinguishable. Sometimes a liar speaks a truth, and he who is known to speak the truth may speak a lie. Nearly endless seems the meditation about the word truth.
The wise author of Proverbs, however, does not speak about a truth but refers to the truth. Charles Bridges rightly points out also that the seller in this text is no deceiver. He is perfectly upright in His dealings. This is a quieting thought! “I counsel thee to buy of Me…” we read in Revelation 3:18. And then follows what Christ Jesus Himself determines to be needful for us. It is a blessing if sound, biblical material is made available for young and old. Thinking of the newly published edition of Give Me Your Heart, by Rev. D.W. Tuinier, whom I know personally, I know it to be such, that you will not be defrauded by its purchase. It is the truth. Therefore, do not just look at it, wish for it, discuss it, but buy it. Anything that seeks to lead us to divine wisdom, instruction, and understanding falls under the truth of God.
Perhaps you wonder why the text tells us not to sell the truth. At first glance this seems contradictory. If no copies of the above-mentioned devotional are sold, what advantage will we and our children obtain from all the truths of God’s Word? Let’s be aware of a distinction here. The command to buy is obvious, but the prohibition to sell doesn’t mean the book may not be sold, but on the contrary, it exhorts us to take the truth to heart! Again, Bridges here speaks about a “merciful prohibition.” Selling the truth implies buying, but buying (which is wholeheartedly recommended) means: take the truth to heart. Do not let go of it. Don’t leave the truth for what it is, but let it sink into the heart! It is well-meant, wholesome food for the soul. The Lord may use it to make us wise unto salvation. It is a means by which the Lord is willing to work His grace in the soul.
Alas, there are many who sell or have sold the truth in a manner opposite of what is described above. Esau sold the truth of his birthright for a bowl of lentils. Judas sold Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for thirty pieces of silver. Demas sold the truth in exchange for this present world. Young and old, take these serious warnings to heart. “Be ye not unruly, nor slow to understand. Be not perverse but willing to heed God’s wise command” (Psalter 84:1).
Finally, the ultimate buying of the truth is beautifully illustrated in the parable of the man who sold all that he had in order to buy both field and treasure (Matthew 13:44). There was no selling after buying there! Has God’s truth revealed itself to you already in this manner? When this takes place, you will find that the Word of God, by the Spirit’s operation, takes hold of you in such a way that you cannot escape from it. Then it is not you who finds the Word, but the Word, as instrument of the Holy Spirit, that finds you. It reveals your extreme and desperately sinful nature before God. The fruit is that then you begin to seek God. There is no time to lose anymore. Priorities change. The service of God becomes of inestimable value to you, whether that Word chastises, exhorts, comforts, or teaches you. One thing is for sure: the treasure of God’s truth becomes so valuable. There is no rest till the Treasure, Jesus Christ, is found and revealed. Then you will learn to worship those eternal thoughts of God: “I am found of them that sought Me not.”
Rev. H. Hofman
Kalamazoo