For the Lord giveth wisdom:
out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6
What is wisdom? Dictionary.com defines it as" knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment", and one of my college textbooks says wisdom is "insight into the practical problems of life". While those definitions may describe parts of wisdom, Scripture provides the ultimate basis for it. After all, if God is the one who created what is true and right, and if He is the one who created all life, should He not be able to provide perfect knowledge and insight into everything?
The book of Proverbs has long been known as the book of wisdom. A book I have read through many times, Proverbs is continually a source of guidance--of wisdom--for any who read it. And so, with the help of my Bible's section titles, I will attempt to share with you some of the characteristics of wisdom.
Wisdom is...
Precious. There is no value to wisdom, because it's beyond value. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (Proverbs 3:14-15) More precious than silver, gold, rubies, and everything else in the world. Nothing compares to it. Proverbs 3 goes on to say that wisdom provides long life, riches and honor, blessing, grace, safety, and peace. It is a tree of life to any who lay hold of it.
Truth. Wisdom tells the truth. It doesn't hide evil, nor does it flatter good. It simply speaks what is true. It is righteous and it gives understanding to those who seek it. Wisdom says "O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." (Proverbs 8: 5-6, 9-11) Wisdom divides truth from foolishness, and it leads in the way of righteousness.
Understanding. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. (Proverbs 9:6) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wise: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (Proverbs 9:9) Accept wisdom and it will add understanding to knowledge, and learning to instruction. It will guide you when the way is littered with confusion. Wisdom's path leads to everlasting life.
Generous. Wisdom is offered to all and every kind of people. It doesn't hold back, and it desires that everyone should obtain it. Proverbs 1 describes the desire of wisdom: that we would not refuse it or turn from it, but that we should embrace it and walk in the way of the living! Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. (Proverbs 4:5-6) The lips of the wise disperse knowledge... (Proverbs 15:7) The wise will desire to instruct others in what they have learned. That desire is often an intense one. One that is passionate about sharing what good and bad they have learned in hopes that others will accept that wisdom and learn from it, avoiding the evil and embracing the good.
The fear of the Lord. Without the fear of the Lord, only worldly knowledge exists. The fear of the Lord is what guides us in righteousness, teaches us to walk in truth, and keeps us on the narrow path. He is the one who gives us wisdom in the first place. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: the the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10) He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord, but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. (Proverbs 14:2) The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27) The fear of the Lord is what will preserve your life. Without wisdom, you will be lead to your destruction.
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom. (Proverbs 15:33)
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. (Proverbs 4:5-8)
Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her for she is thy life. (Proverbs 4:13)
Wisdom comes with blessing: it gives life and preserves from death; it promotes and exalts one to honor; it protects from danger; and it provides a place of refuge for those who rest in the fear of the Lord.
In the fear of the Lord is a strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. (Proverbs 14:26)
Blessings,
Kaleigh
