God Gives Wisdom
Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord Jesus Christ! We are living in the days of experiencing an information explosion. There is a lot of knowledge in our day. We have mountains of data. But we have little wisdom. Books and education can give us knowledge. But only God can give us wisdom (Pro. 2:6). Wisdom is the principal thing. It is supreme. That is why the Bible tells us that we need to get wisdom (Pro. 4:7). The people of this world are wiser than the people of light (Luke 16:8)! The children of God must to walk in wisdom in these last days (Eph. 5:15; Col. 4:5).
I. PEOPLE of Wisdom in the Bible
Joseph: Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you” and “he made him governor over Egypt and all his house” (Genesis 41:39; Acts 7:10). The wisdom he possessed helped many to be delivered from the famine.
Bezalel: The LORD has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts (Exo. 35:31-35). The Lord is able to give us wisdom to do all the work given to us in an excellent and skilful manner.
Solomon: God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people (1 Kings 4:29-34). He was able to rule the nation well and build the temple for God with this God-given wisdom.
Joshua: “Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel listened to him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses” (Deut. 34:9). Joshua led the people of God to the promised land and divided them to the 12 tribes with the wisdom of God.
Daniel: God gave Daniel knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds,” and “In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than others” (Daniel 1:17, 20). Daniel enjoyed success under the reign of many kings because of this God-given wisdom.
Stephen: “He was full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom… and they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke” (Acts 6:3-10).
Jesus: Jesus grew in wisdom and the people were amazed at his wisdom (Luke 2:52; Matt. 13: 54)
II. PRIMACY of Wisdom
In order to explain the superior value of wisdom, God compares it to the most precious things in life.
1. It is more valuable than gold
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! (Pro. 16:16). Wisdom is worth more than silver; it brings more profit than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you could want is equal to it (Pro. 3:13-16; 8:13; Job 28:18).
2. It is more precious than strength.
“Wisdom is better than strength.” (Eccl. 9:16; Pro. 24:5). Wisdom is better than weapons of war (Eccl. 9:18).
3. It should be our first priority
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And in all your getting, get
understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).
III. PREREQUISITES for Wisdom
Fear of God: The first thing is that we should walk in the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Pro. 1:7; 9:10; Psalm 111:10. Joseph was a man of wisdom (Gen. 41:39). Daniel was a man of wisdom (Dan. 1:17). They all walked in the fear of the Lord.
Word of God: Wisdom is found in the Word of God, we must apply ourselves in study and meditation to know the Word and do it. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7). Read Psalm 119:97-100.
Righteous Living: The Lord gives wisdom; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright (Pro. 2:6-7). God gives wisdom to a man who is good in His sight (Eccl. 2:26). When we live a righteous and unpolluted life like Daniel, God bestows us His wisdom (Dan. 1:8).
Humility: With humility comes wisdom, says the Bible in Proverbs 11:2. God opposes the proud but gives grace and wisdom to the humble (Pro. 3:34). When we walk in humility and live with a teachable heart, we will gain wisdom (Pro. 13:10).
Prayer: The next thing we should do to get wisdom is pray. James puts it as clearly as we could wish: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5). Solomon was not born a wise man. He prayed for wisdom and God said, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold now I do according to your word” (1 Kings 3:11).
Holy Spirit: The last and great secret to wisdom is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is the spirit of wisdom. Isaiah 11:2 says, “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding.’ Stephen was full of the Spirit and wisdom. They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Acts 6:4, 10.
