Main Text: Proverbs Ch.4: 1- 7: Read Ch. 1.
1. What is wisdom?
Wisdom, knowledge and understanding are often treated as synonymous, but not necessarily so.
In Exodus 31:3 God said of Bezaleel the craftsman to Moses: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
The Bible distinguishes two kinds of wisdom: wisdom of man on earth, and the wisdom of God from above.
James 3: 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God: 1 Cor. 1:18-25
Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
Spiritual Wisdom: 1 Cor. 2: 6-16 – The Holy Ghost teaches wisdom
2. Want wisdom, knowledge and understanding?
Pr. 2:6: For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
3:19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding he has established the heavens.
Pr. 8:22-31 Wisdom has been there from the beginning
Fear God and obey his commandments (Eccl. 13:13)
Pr. 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pr. 2:7 Sound wisdom is reserved for the righteous
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you (Matt. 6:33).
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. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Yield yourself to the Lord: Psalm 23
Seek godly counsel: Psalm 1
3. Warnings (wisdom will be in your possession if you heed them)
Use your body parts wisely and to the glory of God – apply your heart to understanding and keep it with diligence (2:2); put away perversity from your mouth; let your eyes remain focused, and your eyelids look straight before you; walk straight and remove your feet from evil.
Avoid things that God hates: Proud look; lying tongue; hands that shed innocent blood; wicked imaginations of the heart; feet that are swift in running mischief; bearing false witness; creating discord among brethren.
Honour the Lord with your substance, with the first fruits of your increase so you will be blessed abundantly (3:9-10);
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4
Do not despise the Lord’s discipline, nor resent his rebuke – he disciplines those he loves (3:11-12; also Ps 23:4).
Love your neighbour (3:27-30)
4. Benefits of Wisdom
Wisdom produces happiness (2:13)
Wisdom leads to long life and peace (2:16-17)
Wisdom is the principal thing (4:7)
Wisdom is better than rubies (money)
Wisdom dwells together with prudence, knowledge and discretion
Wisdom is God’s counsel and understanding; has strength
Wisdom dispenses justice with equity; it is fair and just
Wisdom has riches and honour with it; durable riches and honour
Wisdom leads in the way of righteousness (8:11-20)
Here is Wisdom calling (Prov. 1):
24 Because I (Wisdom) have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
5. Examples of men in the Bible and their application of Foolishness & Wisdom
a) Foolishness
Adam and Eve betrayed their ignorance of God when they were deceived by Satan (Gen.3).
Tower of Babel God: Gen. 11:1-9
Pharaoh acted foolishly before God for not realizing when to give up and leave God in control (Ex. 14).
Except Caleb and Joshua, the leaders of the Israelites sent to search Canaan lacked understanding of the power of God by bringing evil report (Num. 13:30-33).
Isaiah – prophet of God – lacked understanding of the glory of God until King Uzzaiah died (Is. 6:1-8).
Foolishness of Jonah – Jonah 1:1-17 flees from the Lord. How far can you run?
b) Wisdom
The call of Abram: 12:1-7
Wisdom of Job (Job 1:20-22). After all the disasters that befell him, his children dead; his possessions destroyed, 20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Wisdom of Mary: Luke 2:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Parable of the rich fool: Luke 12:16-22
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Wisdom of Solomon – by prayer: (2 Chro. 1:7-12). 7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee……..
Luke 2:40 And the child (Jesus) grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
SONG
Amen ! Amen ! x 2
Blessings and Glory, Wisdom thanksgiving and Honour
Power and might; be unto the Lord
Forever & even, Amen
PRAYER POINTS
Prayer of Solomon: 2 Chro.1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
Luke 2:40 And the child (Jesus) grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.