“Education” by edenpictures (2009), shared under Creative Commons Attribution License
If we passively receive and actively seek wisdom, then two things will happen: We’ll start being wise, and we’ll keep becoming wiser. Solomon explains these two results and gives the rationale for each. This week, we’ll cover just the first one.
“Then you will understand the fear of the LORD
And find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Guarding the paths of justice
And watching over the way of his saints (Prov 2:5-8, ESV).”
You’ll start being wise. Verse 5 states that “you will understand the fear of the Lord.” This concept ought to be familiar from Prov 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Remember that the fear of the Lord is the very first step on the path of wisdom. Solomon now promises that listening to wisdom will result in the fear of the Lord. Therefore, if we listen to wisdom, we will begin the journey of wisdom.
This point may seem obvious, but it is crucial. Wisdom is not something that just happens as we live life. It doesn’t come automatically with status, education, experience, age, or leadership position. We must receive it and seek it in order to gain it. We must admit we don’t have it before we can possess it. We confess we can’t see it so we might somehow perceive it. When it is weak, it is strongest. It rises from lowliness.
Why is this the case? Because “the Lord gives wisdom” (Prov 2:6). It comes from his mouth and not our own (Prov 2:6). It dwells in his storehouse, and he loves to dole it out liberally (Prov 2:7). He is our shield; we can’t protect ourselves (Prov 2:7). He wants us to trust him for all things, including wisdom. Thus, to become wise we must grow closer to the giver of wisdom. That’s why I previously defined “the wise” as “those who are moving toward the Lord.”
Do you want to become wise? Draw near to the Lord and listen.
I like your point that wisdom doesn’t just come from living life-otherwise anyone could get it apart from the Lord. However, I was wondering what you think about the idea of a godly person who seeks the Lord getting wisdom through experiences such as suffering, grief, etc. It seems that, as such a person would go through various experiences there would be many opportunities to get wisdom through that experience. I guess I was just thinking that wisdom doesn’t come just through study and prayer.
I was also wondering what you mean when you say of wisdom that “when it is weak, it is strongest.” Did you have an example of when wisdom is weak?
Great questions, Alison!
On the first question, I wouldn’t say that wisdom comes through study and prayer, but through drawing near to the Lord (which might often look like study and prayer). We can learn through suffering or other experiences, if we draw near to the Lord through them. It’s possible, though, to have loads of experience, but never learn wisdom through it (Prov 27:22).
On the second question, you’ve got me. I was under the influence of the blogging Muses, and I tried to wax poetical. It would have been more precise if I had written: “when we are weak, it is strongest.” Does that help?
Thanks, Peter. I was just wondering what you mean by “drawing near to the Lord.” I think that will help me to fully understand your response.
By “drawing near to the Lord” I’m primarily referring to the allegiance of one’s heart. It means trusting the Lord, seeking life in him, expecting that he is the source of wisdom, etc. Does that help?