# 399 The Proverbs – ‘A manual for living’ (MSG). Proverbs 1:1-7 (Key words: Wisdom)

Have you ever had the problem of not being able to think of the appropriate word for something? You get half way through the sentence and … suddenly go blank! Embarrassing and plain annoying, but it happens.

We all know that words and their meanings are important and we cannot really live without them if we are going to live in this world with other human beings. In the Book of Proverbs, as elsewhere, words are very important and in the first 7 verses there are key words used that help us to understand this book. Consider the following ones in bold font:

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

² for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the young—
⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—
⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,
    the sayings and riddles of the wise.

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and instruction.                 (NIV)

 So far, we have considered the words proverbs and Solomon.

The next key word, and the most relevant to our study in Proverbs is, of course, wisdom. Although we have touched on this already, we will now consider it in more depth.  

Let us consider what wisdom is not. Wisdom is not knowledge. We can all learn facts and figures and even have good qualifications due to a good education leading us into good careers. But knowledge alone, without the ability to actually use that knowledge in a way that creates positive outcomes (which are right and just and fair v.3) for ourselves and others in our world around us, is of little value. The most educated in our world may not necessarily be particularly wise!

So, what is wisdom? In contrast to knowledge alone, “wisdom involves a healthy dose of perspective and the ability to make sound judgments about a subject … having the power of discernment and judging properly as to what is true or right [i.e.,] possessing discernment, judgement, or discretion… Wisdom is typically gained from experiences and acquired over time.” https://www.dictionary.com/e/wisdom-vs-knowledge/  

But is there more to wisdom than even this? Well, it is very important to consider what God says about it, considering how many times the word “wisdom” is used in the Bible (219 times – 169 times in the OT and 50 times in the NT). So, let us consider just a few of them.

The Triune God is wise and the source of wisdom:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  (Romans 11:33)

…to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:27)  

…Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  (Colossians 2:2-3)

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  (Ephesians 1:17)

God created the world in wisdom:

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.   (Psalms 104:24)

God grants wisdom to lead others well:

 And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people… (Ezra 7:25)

So what is Biblical wisdom?

 And [God] said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”  (Job 28:28)

James also gives a good description of true wisdom as follows:

¹⁷ … 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. (James 3:17)   

In the Bible there are a number of “paradoxes” (e.g., Phil. 2:12-13) and the subject of how we obtain wisdom is one of them. As we read Proverbs (see Chapter 2) we note that we are encouraged to diligently seek wisdom (call out for… cry aloud for… 2:3), in fact, we are to diligently search for it as for hidden treasure (2:4). But as we continue, we then read, For the Lord gives wisdom (2:6). So, ultimately, wisdom is a gift from God (from heaven) to those who fear Him.

Timothy Keller writes: “The paradox itself is wise. If it were all up to us, we would labor under crushing anxiety and burn out. But if God only worked apart from us, we would lose all sense of initiative. The paradox gives us enough incentive and enough assurance to pursue the knowledge of God all our life long.” (# 51)

James says: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  (James 1:5)