Not all who wander are lost

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It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.

Proverbs 25:2 (ESV)

On one level, this Proverb can be seen as aimed at reading and understanding the whole book of Proverbs as well as the rest of Scripture. Early in chapter 1 we are told Proverbs will contain the riddles of the wise (1:6). Proverbs is addressed to “my son” and “my sons.” Since it was published to everyone there is some sense in which we are all considered royalty.

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But nothing indicates this particular Proverb is meant to apply only to reading the Bible. It could apply to many other things that you are concerned about.

To understand what I mean, ask yourself this question:

DOES YOUR LIFE MAKE NO SENSE?

Maybe your life is a riddle and you are supposed to not give up trying to solve it because God considers you a king.  You may wish your life did not seem so mysterious, but God is honoring you with glory. To use Arthurian mythological imagery: your life is the stone and your calling is to figure out how to extract your sword from it.

Of course, the only way to “search things out” in such a case is to continue to live your life and not give up hope.

All that is gold does not glitter, and not all glory appears glorious at first. Proverbs is a bout dealing with trials and gaining from them. If you knew the time limit or when the answer that would appear, then it would not really be a riddle and you would not be the king God is crowning.

You probably know what led me to mention gold not glittering:

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes, a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Tolkien’s concept of a hereditary monarch who has never had any sign of throne or kingdom, but who has the confidence and calling of a king, yet is humble and helpful rather than proud and domineering, is a powerful idea. It fits well with Proverbs, which is written as words of a king to his heir, yet is meant for everyone.