Vital Topic 15 - Wisdom

1. Introduction

The personal ambitions and even the educational systems of this world are often aimed at temporal and worthless objectives! Millions of people spend their lives and energy:

• Obtaining a good education
• Trying to become rich
• Trying to become famous or powerful
• Travelling the world
• Or simply enjoying themselves.

Biblical objectives are seldom discussed or aimed at. If they are mentioned, they are mostly sneered at or ignored as irrelevant in this day and age. Yet Biblical objectives are by far the most important and most valuable of all. This morning we will consider the Biblical objective of Wisdom. King Solomon, one of the wisest, richest and most famous men who ever lived said these words:

Proverbs 4:	7: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom...”
Proverbs 8:	11: “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”
Proverbs 16:	16: “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!”
Proverbs 19:	8: “He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul:”

2. What is Wisdom?

These are powerful words; but what is wisdom? The Scriptures abound with texts as to what wisdom can do for a person; what wisdom is worth, what benefits wisdom brings in its wake and from where wisdom can be obtained. But again I ask: "What is wisdom?" The answer is found in these verses:

Job: 28:	28: “And unto man he said, Behold, the FEAR OF THE LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
Psalm 111:	10: “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.”
Proverbs 9:	10: “The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

“The FEAR OF THE LORD, that is wisdom.”

To fear the LORD means:

• To believe that He exists.
• To stand in holy awe before Him.
• To believe Him and have faith in Him.
• To respect Him, His Son and His law.
• To be afraid of Him and to tremble at His Word.

There are some who demand and command God as though He were a servant or equal. These folks do not fear the LORD. They insult Him by their foolish antics and words. There are others - multiplied millions - who say in their hearts ‘There is no God.’ According to Scripture these people are ‘fools.’

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God...”
(Psalm:14: 1)

3. Wise Believers

Wisdom often manifests itself in high class work; especially in work for the LORD. Men, women and even children can have wisdom. Here are a few examples: Joseph

Genesis 41:

39: “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art.”

Bezaleel / Aholiab

Exodus 35:

30: “And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31: And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; 32: And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 33: And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. 34: And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35: Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.”

Women

Exodus 35:

25: “And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. 26: And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.”

Solomon

2 Chronicles 1:

11: “And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:”

Yeshua (Jesus) at 12 Years

Luke 2:

40: “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him... 52: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

4. Obedience

Moses, speaking to the children of Israel, said these words about the Almighty's commandments:

Deuteronomy 4:	6: “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
Ezra 7:	25: “And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.”

5. Humility / Pride

Wisdom only flourishes in the atmosphere of humility. When pride enters, wisdom is corrupted; it withers and dies.

Proverbs 11:	2: “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.“
Jeremiah 9:	23: “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”

When he was first created, Lucifer was a being of great beauty and wisdom. But Lucifer became proud and fell. His fall corrupted his wisdom and he became Satan the Devil.

Ezekiel 28:

17: “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.”

6. The Gospel of Salvation

The world's population is basically foolish! People are not born wise. None of us (including myself) instinctively ‘fears God.’ In fact the very opposite is true. The human heart, yours, mine and everyone else's, is by nature corrupt! That's the stunning Scriptural verdict on the human heart (mind). It is deceitful and desperately wicked!

Jeremiah 17:

9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

In order to reach and save the wicked human mind, the Almighty made available the Gospel of Salvation which is to be preached in all the world. To most people the Gospel of Salvation comes across as a farce; as a discourse of pure foolishness. But to some, to those who are called and believe, it is the “power of God unto salvation!” From the following texts, you can easily assess yourself and see in which camp you lie: with the foolish or with the wise.

1 Corinthians 1:	18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God... 23: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
Romans 1:	16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

7. Wisdom Comes From God

Now that we know something about wisdom, the next question is: ‘How does one obtain wisdom?‘ One cannot attend a university or college and sign up for a course on Wisdom! So how do we get wisdom? The Bible provides the answer.

1 Chronicles 22:	11: “Now, my son, (king David speaking to his son Solomon) the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee. 12: Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.”
Proverbs 2:	6: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Daniel 2:	23: “I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.”

8. Ask Yahweh For Wisdom

If you want wisdom, you must ask the Almighty God for it. For He is the fountainhead of wisdom. He is more eager to give wisdom to the foolish than we are to ask for it. Ask and ye shall receive. The Saviour once said:

Luke 11:	11: “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?”
James 1:	5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

9. Rewards

Proverbs 3:	13: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom ...”
Psalm 90:	12: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

10. Summary

• Wisdom is far more valuable than rubies, gold or fame. Make wisdom a prime objective in life.
• Wisdom is defined as being the 'Fear of the LORD.' Which means, having a holy, respect and reverence for the Almighty, His Son, His Word and His law.
• Wisdom exhibits itself in working for the LORD in whatever capacity He chooses. Think of Bezaleel / Aholiab / The Wise Women of Israel / Daniel / Ezra and Jesus .
• Wisdom makes believers obedient, humble and happy. Yahweh's laws are the spiritual specifications for wisdom. Obey them.
• When corrupted, wisdom turns to foolishness. It even denies the existence of God. 'The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.'
• Wisdom comes from above - from the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. He is the source of wisdom, the fountainhead. To obtain wisdom, one must ask Him for it. You cannot buy wisdom. It is priceless. That is why Jehovah gives it on request - 'free of charge!'
• Yeshua is the power of God; the living wisdom of God!
• Wisdom brings life, happiness and blessing. It is by far one of Yahweh's greatest gifts. Make sure that you avail yourself of this priceless possession. Remember that wisdom is available free of charge! All you have to do to receive it, is 'Ask.'