The wisdom of God

If someone were to ask you, as a Christian, what you considered to be the most valuable thing you possess, how would you answer that?  What I’m going to expound on today might just provide you with an answer.  I believe that a good answer to that question would be “wisdom,” as in “God’s wisdom.”

There are many, many scriptures we can cite that I believe supports that answer and we’re going to look at several of them here, but just be aware that there are many more that I just don’t have the time or space here to include them.  As an example of what I just said, the entire book of Proverbs is directed towards the objective of knowing, understanding and using the “wisdom of God.”

“Wisdom” is valuable to us in any of our endeavors, but that’s an understatement when we’re dealing with our Christianity.   “Wisdom” is our guide for what needs to be done and the doing of it.  To put if bluntly, without knowing and operating our lives by “God’s wisdom” there is no way we can be pleasing to Him, thus no way for our soul to be “justified” and “justified” equals “saved.”

In Job 28:12 we find what I consider to be an interesting question proffered by Job.  He asks, “But where shall wisdom be found?  And where is the place of understanding?” And then, from verses 13 through 27, he shows us how valuable the “wisdom of God” truly is.  Basically, that it’s more valuable to us than anything on this earth that is treasured by man.

But then, I direct your attention to verse 28 where we find that he answers the questions he asked in verse 12. “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Solomon, the wisest “man” that ever lived said it this way in his introductory passages to the book of Proverbs: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  (Prov. 1:7)

If you recall a few paragraphs back, in talking about the value of “wisdom,” I said that it’s our “guide” for knowing what we’re supposed to do to be pleasing to God and then “doing it.”  Well, in support of that statement, let me offer you these words found in Psa. 111:10.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that DO his commandments...”

Earlier I also mentioned that “wisdom” is of benefit in all of our endeavors, such as in our chosen career field.  But, that’s what we’ll call “man’s wisdom” and even though it’s helpful in temporal ways, it’s not the “wisdom” that we’re talking about here in our lesson today.  Man’s wisdom has no benefit where it counts - eternally.

A good example of that thought is seen in something else that good old Job had to say on the subject of “wisdom.”  Before we read it I’ll just mention that your position here on earth doesn’t mean that you’re wise in the right way.  I don’t care if you’re someone who has reached a high station in your chosen field of endeavor, whether it’s a statesman, a high-powered business executive, or as some seem to see as great, an entertainer, that doesn’t equate to having true “wisdom.”

Clear back in the ancient time of Job he understood that greatness in man’s way of thinking didn’t mean they are wise.  In Job 32:9 he said, “Great men are not always wise; neither do the aged understand judgment.”  I’ll submit to you that the youngest, least educated (in man’s education tradition) and least known person in town who knows and lives life by “God’s wisdom” is far and away more “justified” than any powerful and old person operating by man’s wisdom.

Now, lest you think that I’m the only one having that opinion, let me share with you something said by the prophet Hosea on this topic.  He wrote these words: “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning (prudent), let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” (Hos. 14:9 ESV)

Hosea is simply saying that those who are wise in “God’s wisdom” and lives their life according to that “wisdom” will be “justified.”  And, to back that up, look at what Jesus had to say in this matter.  In Matt. 11:19 and Luke 7:35 He said something that some seem to find mysterious or deep when really it isn’t.  He said, “...But wisdom is justified of her children.”

The Greek word for “justified” means “made righteous” or “can be seen” depending upon the context of its usage.  So, what Christ is simply saying there is that “wisdom” is “justified” (can be seen - is evident) by what it produces (her children).  Isn’t that basically the same thing Hosea said?  I believe so.

“Walking” in “God’s wisdom” simply means living our lives by it.  It means “doing” all that God’s Word (His wisdom) commands that we do.  The thought of “doing” will bring us to our close and it’ll be in the form of a poem.  (Author unk.)  It’s simply entitled:   TODAY

    We shall do much in the years to come, but what have we done today?

    We shall give our gold in a princely sum, but what did we give today?

            We shall lift the heart and dry the tear,

            We will plant a hope in the place of fear.

    We shall speak the words of love and cheer, but what did we speak today?

    We shall be so kind in the afterwhile, but what have we been today?

     We shall bring to each lonely life a smile, but what have we brought today?

            Add to steadfast faith a deeper worth.

            We shall give to truth a grander birth.

    We shall feed the hungering souls of earth, but whom have we fed today?

    We shall reap such joys in the by-and-by, but what have we sown today?

      We shall build us mansions in the sky, but what have we built today?

            “Tis sweet in the idle dreams to bask;

              But here and now do we do our task?

    Yes, this is the thing our souls much ask, what have we done today?”