What Is Wisdom?

MEMORY VERSE: “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” —Job 28:28

JOB 28:12, 13, 23, 28

WISDOM is the proper use of knowledge. Our lesson pertains particularly to wisdom with respect to our relationship to God, and here our memory verse gives us a very meaningful definition—“The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom.” The word “fear” as used here does not contain specially the thought of dread, but more particularly that of reverence. To reverence the Lord is to hold him in high esteem as the One having supreme authority in our lives, and to be quick to abide by all his precepts and laws.

To look upon God with such high esteem and appreciation is indeed a display of wisdom. The Psalmist wrote that the fear, or reverence, of the Lord “is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psa. 111:10) One could not have even a “beginning” of the wisdom from above apart from a true reverence of the Lord. Those who do not reverence the Lord will not be obedient to his Word and therefore will not have any real guide in life except their own wishes and preferences; and these are often unwise.

But there should be more than a “beginning of wisdom” in lives of God’s people. David presents some important facts concerning progress in the fear, or reverence, of the Lord. We quote: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”—Ps. 19:7-13

Here David describes some of the benefits of obedience to the laws, precepts, and commandments of the Lord. Those who do obey are surely wise. And, being blessed by the wisdom of God, they will be kept under the banner of his love. In the New Testament James indicates some of the ingredients of heavenly wisdom: “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”—James 3:17,18

PROVERBS 3:13-18

In this passage Solomon is setting forth some of the values of true wisdom. “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,” he declares. It is more valuable, he says, than silver and fine gold. “She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”—vs. 15

“Length of days is in her right hand,” he continues, “and in her left hand riches and honor.” (vs. 16) So far as God’s people are concerned, the operation of true, heavenly wisdom in their lives leads to everlasting life and to “glory, and honor, and immortality.”—Rom. 2:7

The ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness, Solomon further explains, “and all her paths are peace.” (vs. 17) This does not mean that the Lord’s people will never have any unpleasant experiences, nor does it imply that their lives will always be tranquil and peaceful. It does mean that they will understand and accept the Lord’s providences in their lives, and this, together with God’s promises, will give them peace of mind and heart despite the troubled circumstances surrounding them.