Choose Wisdom

KEY VERSE: “The LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” —Proverbs 2:6

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 2:1-15

ONE OF THE attributes of God’s character is wisdom. When father Adam was created in God’s image in the Garden of Eden, God gave him wisdom. After Adam’s disobedience man fell away from that original image. Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, knew the value of wisdom and opens his book by extolling its value. He says, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning.”—Prov. 1:5

When Solomon became king he offered a thousand burnt offerings on the brazen altar of the Tabernacle. The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s devotion and reverence, so in reward was willing to grant Solomon anything he wanted: “Ask what I shall give thee.” (II Chron. 1:7) Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge (vs. 10) and God granted this gift to him, along with riches and wealth, although he had not asked for the latter.

This special blessing God gave to Solomon is one we should seek. If we have a choice given us as did Solomon, let us choose wisdom to be like God. In Proverbs 2, Solomon continues to extol wisdom and how we should desire it, saying, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide [store up] my commandments with [within] thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; … If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear [reverence] of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”—Prov. 2:1-5

The Apostle James assures us that God, the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), stands ready to give us wisdom, saying: “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

What is this wisdom that is so desirable, which comes from God? Proverbs 2:6 says that knowledge and understanding come out of “his mouth,” or as we also say, from ‘the Word of God’. For many centuries God employed his Holy Spirit on the ancient prophets to write of salvation for mankind. The Apostle Peter tells us of this salvation in I Peter 1:9-12.

Salvation is the good news of the Bible and the gift of God (Eph. 2:8), which we receive when we accept Jesus as our personal Redeemer. For those who have done this, the Apostle Paul says, “Unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (I Cor. 1:18) Paul continues in his argument to show that worldly wisdom will perish and only God’s wisdom will endure. He was especially writing of God’s plan of the ages, and how it is centered around Jesus Christ.—I Cor. 1:19-23

However, the mere acceptance of Jesus is not the program God is using in this Gospel Age. He is calling certain ones out of this world to be associated with his Son (I Cor. 1:24-31), selecting them to walk in the same pathway. Concerning Jesus, Paul says that he of God “is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (vs. 30) Christ enables us to see our fallen, imperfect state. This wisdom proceeds to look to the Word of God even as Jesus did.—Matt. 4:4

| Home Page | Table of Contents |