Wisdom

2024-11-30

Wisdom in the Introduction to the Proverbs

The quintessential biblical book on wisdom is the book of Proverbs. We will look at some of the usage of the words translated “wisdom.”

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; (2) To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; (3) To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; (4) To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. (Proverbs 1:1-4)

There are two different words used for “wisdom” in this passage. In Proverbs 1:2, according to other verses that translate it, the word has the usage that implies being skillful and cunning. This implies that having wisdom is having knowledge and knowing how to apply it in a situation. The Proverbs 1:3 usage has the connotation of being prosperous, success, and understanding. This implies that having wisdom makes you the best you can be for the LORD.

The first usage is paired with instruction and perception. This implies that wisdom gives a person the ability to learn and understand anything. The second usage is paired with justice, judgment, and equity. This implies that wisdom also has to do with doing right.

Characteristics of the Wise

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: (6) To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. (7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:5-7)

We see that the wise man will hear and continue to learn throughout his life. “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee” (Proverbs 9:8). The wise man realizes that being corrected helps him become wiser. He keeps learning, though it can be cumbersome, because he desires spiritual and intellectual growth. “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:9).

The wise will be teachable and will submit to the LORD’s commandment. “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall” (Proverbs 10:8). And again, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident” (Proverbs 14:16).

The wise man wants to understand the Word of God. There are often difficult things within the Word of God, but the wise wrestle with the LORD until he obtains the wise sayings therein. The “dark sayings” are obscure to most people, but the Spirit of God will teach the wise. Therefore, wisdom must be more than intellect, for the universities are filled with knowledge, but there is little wisdom found there. They also in turn produce wise sayings from their learning to help others. “The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook” (Proverbs 18:4).

Wisdom Crieth Without

Consider Proverbs 1:20-33. While the truly wise seek wise counsels and the interpretation of difficult sayings, there is a level of basic wisdom that is required of everyone, otherwise, they will face calamity. We see this “personified wisdom” is publicly available and visible for everyone to see. The simpletons have access to this wisdom. If one is rebuked by wisdom, and they respond, they will be safe from terrible consequences. However, if one is rebuked by wisdom, and does not respond, they will fall into calamity, and the advice of the wise shall haunt them. Oh, only if I had listened...

The Source of Wisdom

The true wisdom comes from above, where the LORD is enthroned. “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly” (Proverbs 2:6-7). “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things” (Proverbs 2:10-12). The wisdom from the LORD is placed in us by the Spirit of God. If we heed Him by faith, we will not adopt the methods of evil people.

Wisdom is not something we keep on the periphery. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). It is true wealth. “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (Proverbs 8:11).

Wisdom is also expressly practical; it is not merely something stored in the mind for personal fulfillment. “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice” (Proverbs 8:12-15).

Human Wisdom

Wisdom from above contrasts with relying on our own wisdom. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Our wisdom will never be like the LORD’s. “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD” (Proverbs 21:30).

Agur on Wisdom

Consider Proverbs 30:1-6. Agur confesses up front that he has no wisdom of his own. This man had neither been to heaven nor come back again, so how could he have perfect wisdom? However, he alludes to God here, and to His Son, who has come down to earth and rose again to heaven. He has perfect wisdom.

But what is the next thing Agur says after his confession? “Every word of God is pure.” We do not add to or take away from God’s Word, which is perfect wisdom. The Word of God is complete as it is and fully equips us for the wisdom we lack.

Later, he shows small creatures that are exceedingly wise. Consider Proverbs 30:24-28. What are ants, conies, locusts, and spiders? They have little strength compared to us but consider all that they do by wisdom. We also must not trust in any so-called strength of ours and appropriate Christ’s wisdom by faith.

The Fear of the LORD is Wisdom

Why is wisdom defined as the fear of the LORD? Because if we realize that the LORD holds our lives in His hand, allowing every breath we take, we will make decisions accordingly.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever” (Psalm 111:10). He is forever, and when we walk in His ways by faith we will do well.

Consider Job 28:12-28. Wisdom is not found anywhere on earth. It cannot be exchanged for anything of value found on the earth. It is hidden from every eye. Only “God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof” (Job 28:23). When the LORD’s eye sees it, He says to us, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28).

It cannot be repeated enough that real wisdom only comes from God. “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water” (Proverbs 8:22-24).

However, how can wisdom be the fear of the LORD and a departure from evil? If you fear the LORD, you do not fear anything else. He is above every circumstance that we face. We focus on him in awe and in horror and all the periphery does not matter. When we fear the LORD, our relationship with everything else falls into its proper place. We stand on the rock of His kingdom.

Jesus Christ is Our Wisdom

“For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). The cultures of the world look for different things concerning spirituality. In the first century, Jews wanted signs and wonders, and the Greeks wanted worldly wisdom. But real power and wisdom come from Jesus Christ, who came from heaven and revealed these things to us. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Since the Father placed us in Christ, we have access to everything that Jesus Christ is, which includes wisdom. Abiding in Christ by necessity also is also abiding in wisdom.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (Ephesians 1:17). Wisdom here is paired with revelation. We have access to wisdom, but we must appropriate it by faith. The Father of glory gives us wisdom when we ask for it.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). When we know and meditate on the Word of God, the result is living in wisdom. Lives lived meditating on the Word of God will result in teaching and exhorting each other.