Life Ministries

Understanding Wisdom 
Proverbs 1:1-7

    In my NIV introduction to the Book of Proverbs it says this; “The Jews often speak of the Old Testament as the “Law”, the Prophets, and the Writings. Included within the “Writings” are the Psalms, Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. These are also called the “wisdom” books. Whereas the priests and prophets dealt more with the religious side of life, the so called “wise men”, the sages and teachers of the law, dealt with practical and philosophical matters.”

    So, one might say that wisdom is not only to be found in knowledge, but it is also found in common sense, the practical, everyday matters. It has been said that many people are “knowledgeable” but have no common sense. They can quote from the greatest books, but can’t change a light bulb!
    J.I. Packer, a well known author, says that “Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal; together with the means of attaining it.” As such, wisdom finds its fullness only in God. The reason is because human wisdom can be frustrated by circumstantial factors that are outside of the wisest person’s control. God’s wisdom, however, cannot be frustrated because of its alliance with His omniscient, omnipotent, power. Infinite power guided by infinite wisdom; Infinite wisdom attainable by infinite power. This is God’s character as described in scripture. “His wisdom is profound, His power is vast” (Job 9:4) - “He is mighty in power and in wisdom” (Job 12:13) - “Wisdom and power are His” (Daniel 2:20) - “Now, to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel… to the only wise God …” (Romans 16:25-27)   Listen, wisdom without power would be pathetic. Power without wisdom is just plain frightening!  But, in God, absolute power and absolute wisdom are united and that makes Him worthy of our trust and faith.
    We often have the tendency to question God’s wisdom when we ask questions like; “How could a God, who is love, allow this to happen?” In effect, we may think we are questioning His motives, but, we are really questioning His wisdom. This is because many misunderstand the Bible when it says “God is Love”. They think that if God is love, then He intends a trouble free life. So, anything upsetting such as; accident, illness, or suffering of any kind, indicates that the Bible is wrong or that somehow, God’s power and wisdom have broken down. But, God’s wisdom and power is not, and never was, pledged to keep a fallen world happy! Nor, is it meant to make ungodliness comfortable! Not even to Christians does God promise a trouble-free life. In fact, His Word tells us just the opposite. Happiness and pure joy, and an absolute trouble-free life is God’s reward of heaven - not earth.
    When the old theologians dealt with the attributes of God, they used to classify them into two categories: those that were communicable, and those that were in-communicable. Many of the in-communicable we have already talked about. Things that show how God is so vastly different from us; His self-existence; the fact that He is never-changing; not limited by space and time; all knowing; all powerful, ever-present; absolute holiness and perfection; meaning that there are in Him no elements that can conflict. So, unlike us, he cannot be torn in two different directions by thoughts and desires. These are things that man does not share with God, they are found in Him alone.
    In the “communicable” group, they lumped together qualities like; spirituality, goodness, kindness, truth, righteousness, love, and the like. In a word it’s called “godliness” or “God-like-ness.” When the Bible says we were created in God’s image, these are the qualities that we have in common with God. Many of these qualities were lost in the fall of man, and man lapsed into “un-godliness”.  But, God in His infinite wisdom had a plan. A plan of redemption and restoration. A plan to communicate these godly qualities in a new and fresh way. That’s what scripture means when it says we are “being renewed day by day” and “becoming Christ-like” which is God’s purpose.
    Now, among these “communicable” attributes, theologians put “wisdom”. As God is wise in himself, so He imparts wisdom to man whom He has created. The first nine chapters of Proverbs are devoted to this subject of wisdom, and are worthy of your reading, meditation and study.
    In the New Testament we are told to “live as wise, not as un-wise” (Eph. 5:15) and “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders” (Col. 4:5) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, and it will be given unto him.” (James 1:5)
    Where can we find the wisdom of God? The Bible tells us that we must first learn to reverence or “fear” God. For it says, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” We must also learn to receive and understand God’s Word. Paul wrote to the Colossians; “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16) He also told Timothy that “all scripture is able to make you wise for salvation.” (2^nd. Timothy 3:15)    Many today who profess to be Christians never learn wisdom. I challenge you to look at your own life and ask, “Where does my wisdom come from?” Do you spend as much time in God’s Word as you do reading the newspaper or watching T.V.?
     If you were to stand on the platform of York Station, you can watch a constant movement of engines and trains going this way and that. You might be able to get a rough idea of what’s going on, and perhaps an overall plan of these movements. But, suppose you were taken to the main signal room, where there is a whole wall diagram of the entire railway station. There are little glow-worm lights that mark movement and non-movement of all the trains on all the tracks. You would be able to see the entire pattern and better understand the whys and wherefores of all the movements.
    Now, the mistake is commonly made to suppose this is an illustration of what God does when he bestows wisdom. That is that wisdom consists of a deepened under-standing into the meaning and purpose of the events going on in the world or in an individual’s life. However, this is not wisdom.
    Wisdom is like being taught to drive. What matters in driving are the speed and the reactions to what is happening around you and the soundness of your judgment in any given situation. You see, you are not worried about why the road twists and turns, or where the other cars are going, you simply see and do the right thing in the situation you are in every time you drive.
    The effect of Divine wisdom enables you and me to do the same thing in every-day life. The wisdom of God is far beyond our comprehension. But, the wisdom He imparts to us in His Word gives us the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goals…together with the means that we need to achieve them!