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Wisdom and Understanding II ...
Tuesday, Jan 31, 2017. What is wisdom? What is understanding? Often we have a purely mental concept of wisdom and understanding. We think it is about knowledge and about know-how, about the insight into the laws which govern processes. But it is much more! The bible has a quite general concept of wisdom … let us explore what it means.
Biblical Concept of Wisdom …
Wisdom is not knowledge. It is not only knowledge of how to apply knowledge. It is a deep attitude, it is insight into creation on a deeper level. It is linked to what we are, what we believe and hope, how we act and plan and live. In Psalm 111 and Proverbs 2 we hear:
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (from Psalm 111)
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. (from Proverbs 2)
The starting point of all wisdom is to fear the Lord, to know that there is God and that he is the beginning and the end. The source of wisdom is God himself, and it is coming to us from his word, from his mouth, from what he talks and does.
The Upright …
It is very exciting and challenging to hear that our faith, our fear, our actions, all what we are, might be an important prerequisite and starting point of wisdom, and of understanding. Wisdom cannot be gained without righteousness. Wisdom can only be gained by listening to the Lord. All other wisdom is futile!
When it comes to righteousness, when it comes to true wisdom, we will have to talk about Christ Jesus. Even here, in the biblical wisdom literature, we find the tension of expectation of righteousness and the knowledge that we cannot gain it from our own works. Proverbs argues within the old covenant, the Old Testament. It will find its fulfillment in Jesus.
The idea that wisdom is stored for people is quite fascinating. It will be taken up by the apostle Paul, when he talks about good works to be prepared for us to walk in it. God is the eternal father, walking with his children, and being with them in each and every moment of their life. He is a companion, a spirit made of love, and insight, and wisdom, and understanding - through and through! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts