Gaining the Wisdom of God
During my high school years, that period of time when most of us think we know everything there is to know about life, one morning I gained a tremendous amount of wisdom in the most unsuspecting way. Let me explain. I frequently went to school early to workout with football or track and field teammates. Most mornings I grabbed a Pop-Tart and banana on the way out the door. Not quite the breakfast of champions, but it worked for me. My mother always bought the Pop-Tarts without frosting.
However, one particular week she bought the ones with frosting. So, on that fateful morning, as I did every morning, I grabbed the Pop-Tart from of the toaster on my way out the door. Except that morning, things were different… as I grabbed that toaster pastry, I immediately learned that hot frosting could cause second-degree burns in the palm on one’s hand! Now that is wisdom I carry with me to this day! I do not remember what I told my teammates about the wound on my hand, but I’m sure it had nothing to do with Pop-Tarts.
The Book of Proverbs is a roadmap to navigating life with wisdom, not just any kind of off the shelf wisdom, but rather through God’s wisdom. It regularly contrasts the wise and the foolish. Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, who according to Scripture is the wisest man to ever live (1 Kings 3:11-15), says this in Proverbs 12:15 – “A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.” Elsewhere in that same Book, in vv.1:22-23, we are told that that the promise of God’s wisdom comes to those who seek it, but first it requires giving up the world’s mockery of real and lasting truth. [God’s wisdom comes to us through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).]
Just what is this wisdom that Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, reflects upon? I believe we need to look no further than the first five verses found in Proverbs:
“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young – let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (1:1-5).
Let’s look at a few key words –
–Wisdom (Hebrew: chokma) – skillful decision making. Think of that person who knows what to do when more than knowledge of some fact or compliance to some rule is required.
–Instruction (musar) – training with proper accountability. Think of a parent or coach “getting in your face.”
–Insight (binah) – ability to differentiate. Think of that person who can pick out floral notes (aromas) in a glass of wine while someone else only tastes the wine.
-The words prudent behavior, prudence, and discretion all imply having foresight, knowing what results come from certain actions. Think knowing, or in my case, not knowing that heated sugar and corn syrup are extremely hot.
-And in v.5 we see a call for the wise to add to their learning. In this context, the word learning (leqah) means to receive by acquisition.
So, the wisdom of God is not gained though book knowledge or even street smarts. Instead, it is the Holy Spirit who provides us with true wisdom as we both fervently seek after God and gain a deep understanding of Scripture. Proverbs 1:23 says this – “Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise” (NLT).
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