Diligence in studying and applying God’s Word and commands can enable a person to have greater insight than those set as his teachers and more understanding than those who are older men. (Ps 119:99, 100, 130; compare Lu 2:46, 47.) This is because wisdom and understanding are, in effect, built into God’s pure regulations and judicial decrees; hence Israel’s faithful observance of these would cause surrounding nations to view them as “a wise and understanding people.” (De 4:5-8; Ps 111:7, 8, 10; compare 1Ki 2:3.) The understanding person recognizes the inviolability of God’s Word, wants to see his own course in relation thereto, and petitions God’s aid in this. (Ps 119:169) He lets God’s message sink down deep (Mt 13:19-23), writes it on the tablet of his heart (Pr 3:3-6; 7:1-4), and comes to develop a hatred for “every false path” (Ps 119:104). God’s Son, when on earth, showed understanding in this way, even refusing to seek escape from death on the stake because the fulfillment of the Scriptures called for his dying in that manner.​—Mt 26:51-54.

Understanding Prophecy. Inspired prophetic messages are understood only by those cleansed ones who humbly pray for understanding. (Da 9:22, 23; 10:12; 12:10) Though the general time period of their fulfillment may be comprehended, full discernment of the prophecy’s application may have to await God’s due time for its being carried out. (Da 8:17; 10:14; 12:8-10; compare Mr 9:31, 32; Lu 24:44-48.) Those placing their confidence in men and disdaining God’s power and discounting his purpose as a factor worth considering cannot understand the prophecies, and they remain blind to their significance until the disastrous effects of their fulfillment begin to hit them.​—Ps 50:21, 22; Isa 28:19; 46:10-12.