Finding True Wisdom
Wisdom is a precious commodity. Everyone wants it. Not everyone has it. Even to the wisest among us, it is sometimes elusive. We spend lots of money and expend lots of time and energy in search of wisdom, but still regularly come up short.
Having wisdom is important for navigating the treacherous roads of life. Socrates taught that wisdom begins with wondering; admitting our own ignorance. Thus, finding the proper source of wisdom is of paramount importance. The Bible tells us that human wisdom (failing to admit our own ignorance) is foolishness – “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). And since God is the creator of all wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 8:22-31, 9:10), it seems prudent (wise) to tap into his wisdom above all other sources.
In Proverbs 1:20-33, Solomon, offers a warning against disregarding or despising wisdom. The passage begins (vv.20-21) with wisdom personified in the streets, markets, city gates. This suggests that wisdom is readily available to every person and not just to the scholarly. In v.22, wisdom offers a complaint, asking “How long will you not listen to me?” Three types of people are asked this question – simple ones (naive), scoffers (mocker, cynical), fools (stupid, silly). Continuing, an invitation is offered (v.23), in the form of a conditional clause. Something like this – if only you would respond, then I (wisdom) will gush forth to you.
The next section of this passage (vv.24-27) throws up a warning. If wisdom is repeatedly disregarded by someone (remember “How long?” in v.22), then the deserved justice is that wisdom laughs and mocks at their distress. Wait? What? God laughs at me? How can that be? I think v.28 explains the warning clearly. It as if wisdom says it is complete absurdity to continually choose the foolish way of life when wisdom is there for the asking – “Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.”
Solomon goes on to warn of the consequences to those who hate knowledge and do not choose fear of the Lord (v.29) and ignore wise counsel while continually despising wisdom’s reproof (v.30). Here is what we read – “therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed (ruined) by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;” (vv.31-32).
And lastly, those who heed wisdom are contrasted with the simple, the scoffers, the foolish – “but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster” (v.33). Note: This language talks of peace and security, not the avoidance of trouble,
So, today I ask, are you in a constant search for true wisdom but never seem to fully grasp it? We need to look no further than to God. That is not my simply my promise, it comes straight from scripture – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
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