An Introduction to Wisdom
Proverbs 1:1-7
Illus. A Baptist pastor was praying with his staff and deacons one Sunday morning before services when a cloud filled the room.
A deep voice spoke out to the pastor. "Which every you wish, it will be given to you: wisdom, wealth or great looks."
The pastor, without hesitating, said aloud, "Wisdom, Lord. Give me wisdom."
The voice then said, "Granted". The smoke cleared and the presence was gone. Everyone sat there quietly and amazed for a moment.
The chairman of the deacon then asked, "Now that you have wisdom, what is the first thing that comes to your mind."
The pastor simply said, "Now I know I should have taken the money."
Pro 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth-- 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
In this passage, we get the purpose for this great book. It supplies a great introduction to our series. The purpose: to help the reader to know wisdom and instruction, to help the reader understand words of insight, to prepare the one to receive instructions in wise dealings, in righteousness, justice and equity, to give prudence to the simple, and knowledge and discretion to the youth, to help you understand how to use a proverb and benefit from it.
The first six verses, particularly 2-6, lists the purposes of Proverbs. Verse seven then lays the foundation for knowledge and wisdom.
I want us to launch our study with some simple points that draw from several passages to help us begin this study and search for more wisdom as God has planned.
I. What is wisdom?
What is the difference from wisdom, common sense and knowledge? Excellent question. I am so glad you asked.
First, let me give you the secular definition of wisdom, not because it is right, but because it is commonly accepted. From there, we can move to what is godly wisdom.
The dictionary says, Wisdom is basically knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action. Simply put, the dictionary defines wisdom as not only knowing stuff, but how to use that knowledge in a right way. In other words, wisdom, as defined in Webster, has an intellectual aspect and a moral aspect. It is to know and know how to use it rightly.
The problem with this definition is the question, Who decides how we are to use this knowledge the right way? And many answers abound. There are some proverbs that address this from our culture.
1. You've probably heard, "Always look out for number one." This philosophy stems from the concept that everyone else is looking out for themselves, and that leaves no one to look out for you. This is what I would considered the godless approach. In a secular, godless world, this would be a mighty fine philosophy for survival. However, it fails in the light of God's instructions.
Christ's message was to love others sacrificially, esteem others more than ourselves, serve one another and seek to meet others' needs, while seeking first to please God.
2) There's the idea that we are to "Always do what is best for mankind as a whole." This is what I would call a religious wisdom. The primary goal of this wisdom is to seek the betterment of society, a theme for religion since the beginning. The nobility in it is that it calls for selflessness and sacrifice to better the plight of the members of society as a whole.
Many good people live by this view of wisdom. If someone lives by this, we would consider them a moral person. However, again, it strikes the chord of Romans chapter 1, of man worshiping the creature more than the creator. When the Proverb said, "There is a way that seems right unto man, but in the end it destroys (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25), I believe this was part of what the writer was speaking about.
James warns us that there are two major definitions of wisdom. James 3:13-18 "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Let's focus now on the biblical definition of wisdom.
In Exodus 28, God was giving instructions to Moses about the design and making of Aaron's robe. He said, "You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood. He spoke of being skillful, filled with a spirit of skill, speaking of the ability to follow exacting instructions to create the desired results.
The word he used was "chokmah", the word most commonly used in the Old Testament for wisdom. Proverbs 1:2 speaks of having information and wisdom (chokmah), of knowing stuff and knowing how to use it properly. It adds, to perceive, or understand, why it is right and why using this knowledge turns out right.
Ecclesiastes 8:5 "Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way."
There are people who know this Bible and what it says far better than you and me put together, but who have erred because they did not gain wisdom to understand it. I know one professed prophet who can quote circles around me from the Bible. His problems is that he twists up everything he reads or quotes to fit his theological error. There are many that way. That is where the spiritual aspect of the word "wisdom" comes in.
1 Corinthians 2:14 "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."
So wisdom comes from God. Wisdom comes from fearing God. Wisdom comes from knowing God. From this, we can get a working definition without being complicated.
Wisdom is understanding things from God perspective.
Note the parallel in Proverbs 9:10. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
That is why the Psalmist said in Psalm 25:4-5 "Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."
Proverbs 30:3 " I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One."
Wisdom will always drive one to God in dependence to get one's needs met.
II. What is a Proverb? And where did the proverbs come from?
First, a proverb is not a law or commandment. It is a wise saying that is generally true. Proverbs are not universally true, but generally true. This will be a surprise to some, but let's look at some examples.
Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short."
It is generally true that the lifestyle of the wicked will shorten his life. It is generally true that if you serve and honor the Lord, healthy choices will prolong life. However, we have all known old wicked people and godly people who died young. Though this is generally true, it is not always true. It is, however, a very wise proverb.
Also, Proverbs 11:24 "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want."
I have known some generous, godly poor people and some stingy rich people. Generally true, but this applies to the spiritual more than the physical.
Finally, Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Sometimes a soft answer will not diffuse a situation. It generally will and is a good practice at all times.
Where did the Proverbs come from. I believe, without going into too much detail, that you will find that the proverbs come from three origins.
1. The enlightenment of God directly to the writer.
2. Some of the proverbs are found in other non-Christian cultures. As the Hebrews traded with and exchanged ideas with other cultures, I am sure they picked up some of there proverbs. Some proverbs the Jews adopted because they aligned with their fear of God. Some they rejected because the showed no fear of God. The Holy Spirit brought to them the ones He wanted to be included.
3. Observation. A wise man can watch others and gain wisdom.
Proverbs 6:6-8 "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest."
The Proverbs were written and compiled as a parenting book. Much of it is written for youth to gain a view of life through God's eyes. Later, the Proverbs was used to prepare young men for service and positions. Regardless of where the proverb originated, it came from one source.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 "The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd."
III. How does one begin the search for wisdom?
A. Fear the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
The theme of the fear of the Lord the beginning of knowledge is throughout Proverbs.
B. Desire it.
Proverbs 8:11 says, "wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her."
Proverbs 2:1-2 "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;"
C. Humble yourselves.
Proverbs 15:33 "the fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor."
D. Receive Correction.
Pro 17:10 " A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool."
Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."
E. Endure trials joyfully.
James 1:2-4 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. "
F. Ask for it in Faith.
James 1:5-6 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."
A young sailor was asked one calm day to take the helm of the ship. A gentle breeze and ocean current gently would tug the ship off the course, but the sailor easily steered it back with adjustments. For many days, the young sailor was given the helm for a couple of hours a day.
One day a big storm hit. The captain did not offer the young sailor the boat. The experienced sailor struggled against 60 mile per hour winds and 40 ft. waves to keep the ship from sinking.
Someone standing near the young sailor asked him if he was glad the captain was handling the storm. "It's easy to control the ship in calm weathers," he replied. "It's much different in the storm."
It is easy to handle life when things go well, but wisdom seeks a dependence upon our captain in the storms of life. I pray that each of us are becoming more and more wise as we continue to serve together.
