A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel. Proverbs 1:5 (NKJV)
The VERBS in Proverbs 1:5 are Hear, Increase and Attain.
Hear: hear with attention, interest, listen to
Increase: add strength = grow stronger; be joined, added to
Attain: acquire, procure, get
A WISE man (wise, ethically and religiously) — as a wise learner in school of wisdom hears and increases in learning.
So in order to be WISE, I must hear with attention and interest. Not let the information go in one ear and out the other. PAY ATTENTION to what is being taught.
I must increase, add and grow, in learning (as personal acquirement; concrete, what is received). PERSONAL acquirement. I have to receive it and make it mine. Concrete it becomes solid, and that provides a good foundation to build upon.
Man of understanding — be intelligent, discreet, discerning (Proverbs 1:2). In order to be intelligent I must ATTAIN—get, acquire wise counsel. Wise Counsel: "Originally of rope-pulling, i.e. steering, directing a ship." With wise counsel direction is given and you are steered in the right path.
Hear. Increase. Attain. Each of these verbs are specific to growing in wisdom. I must first be willing to HEAR—with interest—and then INCREASE learning—receive it make it mine to build a strong foundation—and then I'll be willing to ATTAIN wise counsel—following the direction of godly advice.
Yet none of those actions will be possible if my heart is not permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For unless my heart is soft and pliable I will not be willing to hear, increase, or attain.
