The Beginning of Wisdom

MEMORY VERSE: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” —James 1:5

PROVERBS 1:2-7; 3:5-8

WISDOM, as we have seen, is the proper application and use of knowledge, and in this lesson we are reminded that “a wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” Solomon wrote, “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Prov. 4:18) We could apply this to the experience of Lord’s people generally down through the ages. God’s plan of salvation was stated very vaguely to begin with. God promised Abraham that through his “seed” all the families of the earth would be blessed.

This promised “Seed” is in reality the Messiah, and there are many promises and prophecies in the Old Testament which throw light on the manner in which all mankind will be blessed by the Messiah. They reveal that first of all he would die to redeem mankind from death; that there would be a group, a “little flock,” called from the world to be associated with him in his kingdom. And Paul explained that these also, upon the basis of their faith and obedience, would become a part of the blesser seed of Abraham.—Luke 12:32; Gal. 3:8,16,27-29

Now we are living in the closing years of the Gospel Age, and “the path of the just” is shining still brighter. The whole plan of God has now been unfolded before the Lord’s people, and they are rejoicing in it.

Individually we should also be walking in an increasing light. We know, for example, that Jesus “gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due tine.” (I Tim. 2:3-6) Nothing can change this; but as we progress in the pathway of light, using the Bible as a “light” unto our feet, we become more and more acquainted with the total testimony of the Word on the subject of the ransom, and in this increasing light we rejoice.

God has promised to care for his people and give them strength for their every time of need, but a lifetime is not enough to become acquainted with all his Word says to assure us of his love and care. Nevertheless, we should be growing in understanding and appreciation of God’s goodness, and this is increasing light.

Our understanding of the prophecies of the Bible which apply at the present time should increase. If we are watchful of the signs of the times we will find that unfolding events lead to a clearer understanding of some of the prophecies. It would be very unwise for any child of God to conclude that there is nothing more to be learned.

It is true, of course, that we are to “hold fast” to the things which we have learned. (Heb. 2:1) Growing in knowledge does not mean giving up what we have learned in the past and proved by the Word of God, but it does mean obtaining a clearer grasp of those things, and an increased appreciation of them.

A true reverence for the Lord means that we will put our trust in him and will not lean to our own understanding. We know that the real source of all truth concerning God’s plan is his precious Word; and while we will be glad for any help we can get from others in the understanding of the Bible, we will accept nothing as truth which is not clearly substantiated by the Bible. We will also pray for understanding and wisdom, as our memory verse states.

In all our ways we will delight to acknowledge the Lord, knowing that through his Word he will direct our paths. As the Lord leads us in the pathway of increasing light, we will know that our expanding knowledge is not due to our own brilliance, but to the further unfoldings of his Word. We will not be wise in our own eyes, but will trust in the Lord and walk in the paths which he outlines for us.

QUESTIONS

Should we, as children of God, expect that through study of his Word our understanding of him and his Word will increase?

How has “the path of the just been as a shining light, shining more and more unto the perfect day”?

Explain the balance between holding fast to what we have learned, and increasing in understanding.

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