The Treasure of Wisdom
A slip of paper was removed by the one who snapped the fortune cookie in half. Silence hung over the crowded table as a girl wordlessly read what was written. "Learning to shrug is the beginning of wisdom." Curiosity got the best of the others as they saw her faint smile; she shook her head in disbelief and placed the small piece of paper on the table. When asked if her fortune was good, she shrugged.
That girl was me.
Proverbs 9:10 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
When someone is described as "wise," what's the first thing you think of?
Maybe the image of a man with the "salt-and-pepper" look pops into mind. Maybe you naturally assume, "They must be older than me. Only with age does wisdom come."
Or does it???
What is wisdom, anyway?
The book of James explains that there are two kinds of wisdom. James 3:13-17 says, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
Unspiritual wisdom is of the devil, but wisdom that comes from heaven is of God.
In the book of 2 Chronicles, God told Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." He could have asked for more wealth or power. He could have requested that God smote his enemies. He was given the opportunity to ask for anything he wanted. But what did he ask for? Wisdom and knowledge so that he may govern His people. Solomon received wisdom and knowledge, as well as what he did not ask for - wealth, riches, and honor.
James 1:5 tells us how to gain spiritual wisdom. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." I find that verse very encouraging. However, I feel it is important to note that the passage of scripture continues, warning us about checking and challenging our hearts before we ask for the wisdom that He offers. "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
While reading last night about wisdom, I came across a very interesting passage of scripture. One verse that seems to contradict with all that we're being taught (that we should ask God for spiritual wisdom). Ecclesiastes 1:18 teaches us that
"[W]ith much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief."
If wisdom brings sorrow, and if knowledge brings grief, why would we want to ask for either of these things?
Reverend Norm MacLaren's quote in a book called The Way They Should Go helped me understand what I couldn't make sense of. "Wisdom and knowledge together are of vast value, but wisdom and knowledge directed by our Lord is priceless."
May our hearts be challenged to desire the treasure of wisdom our God offers.
Proverbs 2:1-6
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to
understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the
Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge
and understanding.
That girl was me.
Proverbs 9:10 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
When someone is described as "wise," what's the first thing you think of?
Maybe the image of a man with the "salt-and-pepper" look pops into mind. Maybe you naturally assume, "They must be older than me. Only with age does wisdom come."
Or does it???
What is wisdom, anyway?
The book of James explains that there are two kinds of wisdom. James 3:13-17 says, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
Unspiritual wisdom is of the devil, but wisdom that comes from heaven is of God.
In the book of 2 Chronicles, God told Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." He could have asked for more wealth or power. He could have requested that God smote his enemies. He was given the opportunity to ask for anything he wanted. But what did he ask for? Wisdom and knowledge so that he may govern His people. Solomon received wisdom and knowledge, as well as what he did not ask for - wealth, riches, and honor.
James 1:5 tells us how to gain spiritual wisdom. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." I find that verse very encouraging. However, I feel it is important to note that the passage of scripture continues, warning us about checking and challenging our hearts before we ask for the wisdom that He offers. "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
While reading last night about wisdom, I came across a very interesting passage of scripture. One verse that seems to contradict with all that we're being taught (that we should ask God for spiritual wisdom). Ecclesiastes 1:18 teaches us that
"[W]ith much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief."
If wisdom brings sorrow, and if knowledge brings grief, why would we want to ask for either of these things?
Reverend Norm MacLaren's quote in a book called The Way They Should Go helped me understand what I couldn't make sense of. "Wisdom and knowledge together are of vast value, but wisdom and knowledge directed by our Lord is priceless."
May our hearts be challenged to desire the treasure of wisdom our God offers.
Proverbs 2:1-6
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to
understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the
Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge
and understanding.
posted by Sharilyn | 3:25 p.m.
5 Comments:
Hi Sharilyn,
Oh, that is one awesome post you have shared with us on "Wisdom".
Thank you for going deeper in the scriptures to find these pricless nuggets.I can see that God is answering your prayer of hungering and thirsting for Him and His word.You are really a blessing to me, and your readers, and I'm so glad that you have started this awesome blog,"Thirst in the Valley". Thanks again.
Hi Sharilyn,
Oh, that is one awesome post you have shared with us on "Wisdom".
Thank you for going deeper in the scriptures to find these pricless nuggets.I can see that God is answering your prayer of hungering and thirsting for Him and His word.You are really a blessing to me, and your readers, and I'm so glad that you have started this awesome blog,"Thirst in the Valley". Thanks again.
Oooops didn't mean to hit the publish key twice.Sorry for that.
No problem. But thank you for commenting. Appreciated it :)
Wow! Fantastic post! I love how you talk about wisdom and understanding bringing sorrow too. I think one of the reasons that wisdom brings sorrow is this: When we start to truly understand our self, that is, our flesh we see the world in the sad state that it is and we see ourselves as sinful creatures. Wisdom is almost like correct perspective. And if God gives us correct perspective or wisdom, we are responsible to act on that! Personally that could mean a conviction to persue a deeper and more intimate relationship with Christ. Locally that could mean doing more to reach out to our lost world with the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Thanks for the wonderfully thought provoking post and insightful post! :)
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