GOD’S WISDOM SEEN IN THE BIBLE
God’s attribute of wisdom differs from His attribute of knowledge. Knowledge is what is known while wisdom is the discerning and intelligent application of knowledge. God’s knowledge and God’s wisdom always work together. By knowledge God devises perfect plans and purposes, then by wisdom they are achieved by the most perfect means, bringing Him all the glory. It is important to understand that all of God’s acts are done in perfect wisdom.
The wisdom of God has been revealed and demonstrated at various times in history, in the affairs of governments and in the lives of people. As Daniel said in Daniel 2:20-21, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.” In the book of Daniel we see God working in Daniel’s life by giving him wisdom to interpret dreams and to speak some rather profound prophecies. We also see God working in the life of Nebuchadnezzar by removing him from power, humbling him and restoring him back to his position as king of Babylon.
It is also important for us to understand that there is no end to God’s wisdom. In Romans 11:33 we read, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” God’s wisdom and ways are far beyond our understanding. Yet we know from experience that His wisdom is perfect. For example, God’s wisdom is revealed through His perfect plan for redeeming both Jews and Gentiles through the shed blood of Christ upon the cross (Romans 11:1-32). Man sinned and rebelled against God. Therefore, he faced judgment and eternal separation from God. However, God intervened. Jesus entered the human race and took upon Himself our punishment (Philippians 2:5-8). He died and rose again so we might be forgiven, reconciled with God and given eternal life with Him. God always knows which course of action is the best. With salvation there was only one acceptable course of action. God knew it perfectly, and set that plan in motion. That is wisdom and we are the beneficiaries of that wisdom.
God is the source of wisdom. Daniel said, “...wisdom and power belong to Him.” Job said in Job 12:13a, “With Him are wisdom and might.” God is the source of wisdom, therefore, as Daniel said, it is He who “gives wisdom to wise men.” Solomon also said this in Proverbs 2:6, “For the LORD gives wisdom.” Solomon certainly knew the validity of that statement because it was God who gave Solomon his wisdom. We are told in 1 Kings 4:29-34, “Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Herman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations. He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even to the hyssop that grows on the wall; he spoke also of animals and birds and creeping things and fish. Men came from all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.” We can learn much and gain much wisdom through the writings of Solomon in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, Psalms 72 and 127. Nevertheless, sometimes we find ourselves lacking in wisdom. Though we might not receive the wisdom of Solomon we still receive our wisdom from God today. “But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). God wants His people to act wisely and make wise decisions. Therefore, He gives us wisdom.
God’s wisdom is also revealed in creation, which is the focus of this chapter. In fact, God encourages us to let the beasts of the field, the birds, the earth and the fish of the sea teach us about creation and about God’s wisdom as the Creator. As we are told in Job 12:7-10 and 13a, “But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; and the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; and let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?...With Him are wisdom and might.” God’s creation declares His wisdom.
As the Creator, God is all-wise. Therefore, it is not surprising that in Jesus, God the Creator of all things, “...are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). In wisdom our Lord created all things. As we are told in Psalm 104:24, “O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all.” Let’s look at some examples.
DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD’S WISDOM
The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom. It tells us how to become wise, how God wants us to use wisdom and the effects that
wisdom has on our lives. The following is a guide that will help you see what the Bible teaches about wisdom and how it affects your daily walk with Jesus.
Look up the following Bible verses and write down the answers to the questions:
How do we become wise?
- Proverbs 9:10. ___________________________________________________________
Note: Having a reverence towards God is the starting point, the basis and essence of wisdom. As we are told in Job 28:28, “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’” True wisdom is fearing (showing holy respect and reverence for) God and applying that wisdom by turning away from evil. Wisdom is not acquired through some mechanical formula, but rather through a right response towards God and a right relationship with God that is evidenced by our behavior. We cannot add to wisdom or obtain wisdom through education, scientific findings or any other means without a right relationship with God. In other words, we cannot merely gain knowledge and think we are wise. We must know how to use that knowledge in a way that honors and glorifies God, and shows reverence towards God evidenced by our behavior. As we are told in Proverbs 15:33a, “The fear of the LORD is instruction for wisdom...” True wisdom begins with a respectful, reverential relationship with God.
- James 1:5-8. ____________________________________________________________
Note: One way we can show reverence towards God is by asking Him for wisdom. If we are convinced that God is the source of all wisdom and that by showing holy respect and reverence for Him is the essence for all wisdom, then we can go to Him with confidence and ask for wisdom and thereby receive the wisdom we seek. However, if we doubt this is true, then we will not receive wisdom at all (James 1:6-8). God is the source of all wisdom, therefore we should go to Him for wisdom. As we are told in Proverbs 2:6, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” What a privilege it is, as God’s children, to hold His Word (the Bible) in our hands and be instructed by it in all wisdom.
What results will we see in our lives when we have wisdom?
- Ecclesiastes 7:12. ________________________________________________________
- Ecclesiastes 7:19. ________________________________________________________
Note: Read Ecclesiastes 9:13-18. This passage gives further insight into what it means to be strengthened and protected by wisdom. By having and using God-given wisdom we can avoid trouble and even devastation for ourselves as well as others. A godly person applying wisdom to a situation can protect lives. However, an ungodly person not applying God-given wisdom in a situation can have the opposite affect. We all have influence, either for good or for bad. It behooves us as God’s people to seek God’s wisdom in every situation and then apply that wisdom for good. As Salomon said, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good” (Ecclesiastes 9:18).
- Ecclesiastes 10:10. _______________________________________________________
Note: Want to be successful? Then we should apply God’s wisdom to the way we do our work.
- 2 Timothy 3:14-15. _______________________________________________________
Note: The Bible clearly teaches us about Jesus Christ and how to receive the salvation that He and only He offers (Romans 10:9-10, 13). It gives us the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus. The Bible also reinforces the importance of accurately teaching our children and grandchildren what it says about Jesus as well as the importance of how we live for Jesus as a testimony to our children and grandchildren (2 Timothy 1:5).
- James 3:13. _____________________________________________________________
Note: We should ask ourselves: How do I know for certain that I have received wisdom from God and am using it correctly? It is evidenced by our “good behavior.” The Bible gives us a definition of wisdom, which is to be the basis for our good behavior in James 3:17. It says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” If these qualities characterize our behavior and the decisions we make, then we can be assured that we have the wisdom that God provides.
What are some guidelines on how we should use the wisdom that God gives?
- Jeremiah 9:23-24. ________________________________________________________
Note: Since God is the source of our wisdom, then it is inappropriate to boast about being wise or about the wisdom of our decisions and behavior. Instead, we should boast in knowing Him, the One who gives wisdom. This is what we are instructed to do in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31. It says, “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the LORD.’”
- Colossians 4:5-6. _________________________________________________________
Note: We are to conduct ourselves with wisdom towards nonbelievers. Therefore, we should learn how to respond to the questions asked or statement made by those searching for answers and desiring to know about the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). We should respond in a way that causes people to want to hear more of what we have to say. People want to hear truth, but we must give them truth graciously and tastefully, so we draw them closer to the Lord and not push them further away. This can only be done by the wisdom that God gives. It can only be done by our wise behavior, and the gentleness and respectfulness of our words.
APPLYING GOD’S WISDOM
There are two contrasting examples in the Bible of people seeking and applying wisdom. One example illustrates the wrong approach to seeking and applying wisdom while the other illustrates the correct approach to seeking and applying wisdom. Both approaches have consequences. One leads to personal pride, sin and judgement. The other exalts God, bringing personal success and blessings.
The first person was Eve. While in the garden of Eden she looked upon the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (the only tree in the garden that God forbid them to eat, Genesis 2:16-17) as something to make one wise. As we are told in Genesis 3:6, “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Eve looked to the tree rather than to God for her wisdom. By doing so she took a self-serving approach to gaining wisdom.This was not wisdom at all, but rather the acquisition of experiential knowledge. Whenever we look to things such as science, education, personal experiences, etc., to make us wise, then the self is the focus. We honor, glorify and exalt ourselves more than God. This can only lead to a boastful pride that results in sin (1 John 2:16) which in turn leads to judgement from God.
The second person seeking wisdom was Solomon. When Solomon desired wisdom and knowledge he asked God for it, so he could serve God’s people. In 2 Chronicles 1:8-12 we are told, “Solomon said to God, ‘You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. Now, O LORD God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?’ God said to Solomon, ‘Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.’” When we look to God as the source of our wisdom to serve Him and His people, then we honor, glorify and exalt Him rather than ourselves. This was clearly illustrated when the queen of Sheba visited Solomon (2 Chronicles 9:1-8). Her response, after hearing the wisdom of Solomon and seeing God’s blessings on his life, was beautifully declared in verse 8. She said, “Blessed be the LORD your God...” Solomon was God-seeking and God-serving, which resulted in him and others honoring and exalting the only true and living God.
As God’s people we must seek God’s wisdom to serve Him and His people. This is the proper acquisition and application of wisdom. Let’s keep in mind 2 Chronicles 16:9a, which says, “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” When our heart is completely His we will seek wisdom from Him, not other sources, thereby honoring and exalting Him. As the apostle Paul said in Romans 16:27, “...to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever. Amen!”