Today’s Reading:
Proverbs 2:9-15
“He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous, he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly” (v. 7)
Wisdom is defined and described in the Scriptures severally as: the principal thing (Prov. 4;7); a man of understanding has wisdom (Prov. 10:23); with the lowly is wisdom (Prov. 11:2); the Lord by wisdom has founded the earth (Prov. 3:19); happy is the man that findeth wisdom; fools die for want of wisdom (Prov. 10:21); the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). In the secular world, wisdom is regarded as the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships (insight);use of knowledge, experience, common sense and understanding; sound decisions; sensible judgements.
Wisdom can be classified based on the source – Godly, Worldly (earthly) and Satanic (devilish). Godly wisdom which comes from God above is very well expatiated throughout the book of Proverbs. In Prov. 1:29, wisdom is personified as a she (a female) and in Prov. 8:1-35, wisdom is depicted as Jesus Christ. It is important to mention that wisdom is very closely associated with knowledge and understanding. In many passages in the book of Proverbs, the three are mentioned and linked together (Prov. 2:6; 4:5; 10:23; 2:10-11; 2:2-3; 9:10). Given the importance of wisdom, it will be instructive to mention how godly wisdom can be gotten. In our Today’s reading, in Verse 2-4, wisdom is said to be gotten by inclining one’s ear; by seeking it as silver; by searching for it like for hidden treasures. In Verse 6, we learnt that the Lord gives wisdom and out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. It is written in Prov. 29:15 that the rod and reproof give wisdom. The qualifications for sound wisdom from God are righteousness and uprightness (v7). It is, therefore, not surprising that wisdom is not commonplace.
In Prov. 8:11, it is said that wisdom is better than rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. It is written in Prov. 29:15 that the rod and reproof give wisdom. What then are the benefits of getting and having godly wisdom? These include the following:
Wisdom is profitable to direct (Eccl. 10:10)
The person loves his own soul (Prov. 19:8)
The person is happy (Prov. 3:13)
The person shall understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (Prov. 2:15); understand righteousness, judgement, equity, and every good path (v9)
The person’s days shall be multiplied, and the years of his life shall be increased (Prov. 9:11).
As wisdom enters a person’s heart, and knowledge pleasant to the soul, then discretion will preserve him, and understanding will keep and deliver him from the way of the devil and his agents (vs 12-15)
The person shall be commended according to his wisdom (Prov. 12:8
Whoever finds wisdom finds life and shall obtain favour of the Lord (Prov. 8:35)
Aside from the numerous benefits of having godly wisdom, there are several counsels and warnings to note: be not wise in your own eye; fear the Lord and depart from evil; get wisdom, understanding, forget them not, neither decline from the words of God’s mouth; do not forsake wisdom and she will preserve you, love it and it shall keep you; exalt it and it will promote you, it will bring you to honour, when you embrace it; since you have been taught the way of wisdom, when you go, your steps will be straightened and when you run, you will not stumble (Prov. 4:5-12); in the multitude of words there wants not sin, but he that refrains his lips is wise (Prov. 10:19); fools die for want of wisdom (Prov 10:21); keep sound wisdom and discretion.
The enormous benefits of godly wisdom make it worth the while to get and keep it, and these far outweigh any benefits that can accrue from worldly (earthly) and satanic (devilish) wisdom. As a true believer, seek, search and acquire godly wisdom, and hold it tight. Also, ask the Holy Spirit for his gift of word of wisdom (1 Cor. 12:8).
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
Prayer:
Father, thank you so much for your gift of wisdom to mankind.
Father, help us to individually diligently seek and search for wisdom.
O Lord, help us to stir away from worldly and satanic wisdom.
Father, please help the Church to get and use godly wisdom to operate.
Father, please prompt the leaders of the nation in all sectors to seek, search and acquire godly wisdom from you to run our nation.
Comments