The Source of Wisdom

In prior weeks we looked into the “value of wisdom” and the “search for wisdom.” In the book of Job, we learn that man struggles to understand the value of wisdom and often looks for it in the wrong places. The closing passage of Job 28 leads us directly to the source and path to true wisdom.

Job 28:20 Where then does wisdom come from? And where is this place of understanding? 23-28 “God understands its way, And He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth; He sees everything under the heavens. When He imparted weight to the wind, and assessed the waters by measure, when He made a limit for the rain, and a course for the thunderbolt, then He saw it and declared it; He established it and searched it out. And to mankind He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

God displays His wisdom and power through His design of creation. He “imparted weight to the wind,” “a limit for the rain” and “a course for the thunderbolt.” This dramatic description of the creation process gives us insight into His wisdom and power.

Reverence and obedience lead us to wisdom. Followers of Christ should have their hearts set on seeking and living within God’s will. While we will never fully understand the mind of God, specific aspects of God’s will have been revealed to us through scripture. This revealed aspect of God’s will provides our guidance for a life of obedience. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us… so that we may follow all the words of this Law.

God gives wisdom to those who ask in faith.  James 1:5-6 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting…” God is delighted to share His limitless supply of wisdom with us when our hearts are set to receive it in faith. We should never doubt that He will provide.

Pursue wisdom through prayer. Our hearts can easily be deceived by false philosophies. When we allow them to coexist with God’s truth in our hearts, we become “double-minded” and “unstable” in how we live (James 1:8). Unceasing exposure to God through prayer builds discernment to help us recognize the difference.  

Pursue wisdom in God’s Word. Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. There is no true wisdom apart from the testimony of the Lord. No one is born wise; we must acquire wisdom from God and His Word if we are to be truly wise.

We develop godly wisdom in Christian community. Proverbs 13:20 “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. God never intended us to walk through this life alone. God speaks to us through the lives of others and to others through our own lives. This is one of the beautiful aspects of living in fellowship with other believers.  

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6