Wisdom: The quality of knowledge, discernment and understanding characteristic of God himself. True wisdom, seen in the ministry of Jesus Christ, is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture affirms that true human wisdom is a gift from God and points out the folly of trusting in mere human wisdom. wisdom, nature of human: The human quality which enables the planning and successful achievement of a desired goal. It may be expressed as technical skill, practical instruction and astuteness in political affairs. True wisdom includes spiritual discernment and, above all, the reverence and knowledge of God. Wisdom as human skill For work on the tabernacle Ex 36:1 See also Ex 28:3 making the priestly robes; Ex 31:2-6 pp Ex 35:30-35 craftsmanship and design in metalwork, stone, wood, embroidery and weaving; Ex 35:25-26 spinning; Ex 36:8 making and hanging curtains For work on the temple 1Ch 22:15 See also 1Ch 28:21; 2Ch 2:7,13-14 pp 1Ki 7:13-14 Huram-Abi, skilled in bronze work Other skills Making idols: Isa 40:20; Jer 10:9 Jer 9:17 professional mourning; Eze 27:8-9 seamanship Wisdom as instruction in practical living Pr 14:8; Ecc 12:11 See also Pr 6:6; 10:5,8-9; 19:11; 20:1; 21:20; 29:11; Ecc 7:7; 10:12 Wisdom as political astuteness Wisdom brings political success Pr 21:22; Ecc 9:14-15; Isa 10:13; Eze 28:4-5 Wisdom in giving political advice Ge 41:8; Est 1:13; Isa 19:11; Jer 51:57; Da 4:6; 5:8; Ob 8 David’s counsellors: 1Ch 26:14; 27:32-33 Wisdom in government Ge 41:33-36; 2Sa 14:20; 1Ki 5:12; Da 2:48 Wisdom associated with mystic arts Ge 41:8; Ex 7:11; Ps 58:5; Da 2:7; 5:7,11 Wisdom as spiritual discernment Understanding the plan of God Ge 41:39 See also Jer 9:12; Rev 13:18; 17:9 Understanding God’s ways Hos 14:9 See also Job 11:6; Ps 107:43; Da 12:10 Wisdom expressed in a right relationship with God Wisdom as reverent submission to God Job 28:28 See also Ps 111:10; Pr 1:7; 3:7; 9:10; Ecc 12:13; Mic 6:9 Wisdom as the knowledge of God Pr 30:3; Isa 11:2 See also Eph 1:17; Col 1:9 Wisdom as obedience to God’s command Dt 4:6 See also Ps 119:34,73 Wisdom personified Wisdom calls out an invitation Pr 8:1-4; 9:1-6 Wisdom teaches what is right Pr 8:5-21 Wisdom existed before creation Pr 8:22-32 Human wisdom can be opposed to God 1Co 1:18-25 See also 1Co 4:10 wisdom, source of human: True wisdom belongs to God and may be given by him alone. It cannot be received by those who put confidence in worldly wisdom which is based upon human cleverness and insight without God’s revelation and which will come to nothing. True wisdom comes from God It is given by God alone Job 12:13 See also Ex 28:3; Job 38:36; Ecc 2:26; Jas 3:17 It is received through God’s word Ps 19:7 See also Ps 119:99-100,130; Ecc 8:5; Jer 8:8-9; Hos 4:6; Mt 7:24; Col 3:16; 2Ti 3:15 It is received through submission to God Pr 15:33 See also Isa 33:6 It is imparted by God’s Spirit Eph 1:17 See also Ex 31:3 pp Ex 35:31; Job 32:8; Da 4:18; 5:14; Ac 6:3,10; 1Co 12:8; Eph 3:5 It is given in response to prayer Jas 1:5 See also 1Ki 3:9 pp 2Ch 1:10; Pr 2:3-6; Da 10:12; Col 1:9 The emptiness of worldly wisdom Worldly wisdom is foolishness to God 1Co 3:19-20 See also Job 5:13; Ps 94:11; Ro 1:21-23 God cannot be known by worldly wisdom 1Co 1:21 See also Ecc 8:16-17; Isa 55:9; Ro 11:33-34; 1Co 1:17; 2:4-5,11-13 Worldly wisdom builds pride and false hope Isa 47:10 See also Pr 3:7; 26:12; 28:11; Isa 5:21; Jer 9:23; Col 2:23 Paul uses irony to condemn the “wisdom” in which the Corinthians take pride: 1Co 4:10; 2Co 11:18-19 Worldly wisdom will be confounded Isa 29:14 See also 1Co 1:19-20; Job 5:12-13; Pr 21:30; Isa 19:11; 44:25; Jer 51:57; Eze 28:6-7,17; 1Co 1:25 The revelation of divine wisdom It is revealed in Jesus Christ 1Co 1:23-24 God’s wisdom, which is hidden from those who rely on human wisdom, is the message of Christ crucified. See also 1Co 1:30; 2:6-8; Col 1:15-17 It is rejected by the worldly-wise 1Co 2:14 See also 1Co 1:18,22-23 It is revealed to the unlearned Mt 11:25 pp Lk 10:21 1Co 3:18 God’s wisdom may be received only by those willing to give up all reliance on their own human insight and understanding. See also 1Co 1:26-27 It is revealed through the church Eph 3:10 God-given wisdom is superior to worldly wisdom Lk 21:15 See also Ge 41:15; Ex 7:11-12; 1Ki 4:30; Da 1:20; 5:7; Ac 6:10 wisdom, importance of human: True wisdom may bring material reward but its value far exceeds earthly riches. To those who receive it, it opens a path to life and security and equips for leadership and right conduct. The supreme value of true wisdom It is priceless Pr 4:7 See also Pr 3:13; 8:10-11 It leads to life Pr 15:24 See also Pr 11:30; 13:14; 16:22; 24:14; Da 12:3 It brings prosperity Pr 8:18 The benefits of wisdom may include material prosperity, but more important is the moral and spiritual prosperity which it brings. See also Pr 3:1-2; 19:8,8; 21:20-21; 24:3; Jer 10:21 It gives security Pr 4:6 See also Pr 1:33; 2:6-11; 14:3; 28:26; Ecc 8:5 The application of wisdom It touches the whole person 1Ki 3:12 In Hebrew, the “heart” represents the centre of human personality. See also Job 38:36; Ps 51:6; Pr 2:2; 16:23; 22:17 It results in right action Col 4:5; Jas 3:13 See also Ps 119:34; Pr 1:3; 4:11; 15:21; 23:19; Jer 4:22; Hos 14:9; Ro 16:19; Eph 5:15; Col 1:9-10; Jas 3:14-17 It results in watchfulness Mt 25:1-10 See also Pr 14:8; 22:3 pp Pr 27:12 Wisdom is necessary for leaders Wisdom to govern Pr 8:15-16; Ac 6:3 See also Dt 1:13; 1Ki 5:7; 1Ch 22:12; Ps 2:10; 105:22; Pr 28:2; Ecc 1:16; Isa 56:11; Jer 3:15 Wisdom to administer justice 1Ki 3:28 See also 1Ki 3:9 pp 2Ch 1:10; Ps 37:30; Pr 20:26; 24:23; Mt 24:45 pp Lk 12:42; 1Co 6:5 The teaching of wisdom The wise give instruction Ecc 12:9 See also Ps 37:30; 49:3; Pr 1:20-21; 5:1; 8:1; 16:21; 31:26; Da 11:33; 1Co 2:6-7; Col 1:28; 3:16 The wise listen to instruction Pr 1:5; 15:31 See also Pr 4:1; 9:9; 10:8; 13:20; 15:12; 19:20 Examples of those endowed with wisdom Ac 7:10 Joseph; Dt 1:15 the elders of Israel; Dt 34:9 Joshua David: 2Sa 14:20; Ps 78:72 Solomon: 1Ki 3:16-28; 4:29-34; 10:4-8 pp 2Ch 9:3-7; 1Ch 22:12-13; Mt 12:42 pp Lk 11:31 Ezr 7:25 Ezra; Isa 11:2 the Messiah; Da 1:17 Daniel and his three friends Daniel: Da 2:19-23,27-28; 5:11-12 2Pe 3:15 Barbara Louise Pauly
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 01:12:51 +0000