Wisdom is available to all, but people don’t pay attention. And we are reminded here that wisdom is noble, right, true, righteous, and straight; it is not wicked or crooked.
We’re used to “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” but how about “the fear of the Lord is to hate evil”? And evil is defined as pride, arrogance, and perverted speech. Do we hate those things, or do we engage in them? Wisdom not only defines righteous leadership (from kings, princes, and nobles), it also defines righteous living. And it is available to everyone! If we seek after wisdom, we’ll find it. If we love it, it will direct us. The fruit of wisdom is avoiding trouble, doing right, and obtaining an inheritance that is better than gold or silver.
When we talk about gravity, or laws governing energy, or the science of meteorology, we are really talking about how God made this world and our universe. He made order out of chaos. He used wisdom to bring things into being and to put things in place:
Jeremiah 10:12-13 (WEB) “God has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens. When he utters his voice, the waters in the heavens roar, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain, and brings the wind out of his treasuries.”
Since God uses wisdom, we should too. We need to be alert and eager for wisdom. We need to seek it out. Wisdom in general gives life, since it keeps us from trouble, but Godly wisdom gives abundant and eternal life. Godly wisdom starts when we believe, is manifested in our lives when we obey, and we receive its rewards perpetually and eternally!
There is a house of wisdom and a house of folly. Wisdom’s house is described as having seven pillars. While much has been made of that, the simplest interpretation is probably that wisdom’s house is large and has room for all. Everyone is invited to feast! The decision is yours. Other people can’t make it for you. If you’re wise you’ll be willing to listen to others, even when they correct you. In fact, you’ll welcome it, since it will help you to become even wiser. Foolish people believe the seductive lies of the house of folly and enter in. They don’t want to hear correction and will make fun of those who try to bring it.
Thought for the day: The “fear of the Lord” is mentioned 13x’s in Proverbs. It’s the bedrock of being wise. When we fear, revere, or respect God we’ll be willing to follow His commands.
Psalm 111:10 (WEB) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”
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