Wisdom - Introduction

John Hoole March 21, 2004

I did a little research this past week into a series of books now in print. How many of you have seen or read books in the "For Dummies" series. Who would have guessed that a series of books "…for Dummies" would sell more than 100 millions copies? These self-education books have been purchased by people like you and me who wish they knew more than they do about a particular subject. Consider a few titles:
o Bird-watching for Dummies
o Desserts for Dummies
o Fishing for Dummies
o Investing for Dummies
o The Internet for Dummies
o Parenting for Dummies
o Shakespeare for Dummies
o America's National Parks for Dummies
o Dating for Dummies
o Dieting for Dummies (now in 2nd edition)

Why has this series so effectively tapped into the desire of people to learn? One satisfied customer said: "I buy them because they take the intimidation out of the learning process. Whatever the subject matter, they spell it out to me in simple terms. They make the complex understandable, so that even an regular guy like me can 'get it."
The same could be said about the Bible book we are currently studying. Proverbs takes the ageless, priceless wisdom of God himself and makes it understandable and accessible to regular people like you and me. Comprehending its wisdom requires no seminary degree. The most down-to-earth book in the Bible, Proverbs puts pertinent truths for everyday life on the bottom shelf where we can all reach them. Above all else, Proverbs is practical.
Proverbs 20:4(NIV) tells us:
4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
You don't plow, you don't eat. Any questions?

Proverbs 11:1 NIV
1 The LORD abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight.
What part of that one isn't clear?

And how about this passage for proving that the ancient wisdom of Proverbs is still in touch with the world.
Proverbs 23:29-35 NKJV
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine.
31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly;
32 At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things.
34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
35 "They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?"

Proverbs is a fascinating and powerful book. Where else can we find writing that is poetic yet practical, Humorous yet helpful direct yet deep? Where else can we find the wisdom of God compressed into a few pithy phrases that please our ears and stretch our minds and satisfy our souls?
Leonard Sweet, a Duke University professor and author, sarcastically goes out to prove that the human race is doomed through sheer stupidity. He gives as an example the apparent vacuum of common sense so many consumers have. Listen, he says, to how we intelligent, well-educated North Americans, have labeled our products so that we don't confuse or injure ourselves:
o On a Sears hair dryer: Do not use while sleeping.
o On a bar of Dial soap: Directions: use like regular soap.
o On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating.
o On packaging for a Rowenta iron: Do not iron clothes on body.
o On Nytol Sleep Aid: Warning: May cause drowsiness.
o On a bottle of Palmolive Dishwashing liquid: Do not use on food.
o On a vehicle cardboard windshield sun visor: Remove visor before driving vehicle.
o On a child's Superman costume: Wearing of this garment does no enable you to fly.
o On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside. (The shoplifter special)
o On Boot's Children Cough Medicine: Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking medicine." (We could a lot to reduce construction accidents if we could just get those 5-year-olds off the forklifts.
o On most Christmas lights: For indoor or outdoor use only (As opposed to what?")

Len Sweet is not far off when he says that we exist in a time and culture that is sorely lacking in common sense and wisdom when it comes to how we live our lives. What's been your experience? Do you sense a vacuum of good ole fashion common sense and wisdom?
Last week I mentioned that the primary subject addressed in the book of Proverbs is WISDOM - Down-to-earth and practical wisdom. We are going to look at this book in the Bible to find practical help for making sense out of life. In today's lesson, we are going to address a number of questions:
o What is wisdom?
o Why should we pursue wisdom?
o Where do we find wisdom?
o What does wisdom look like?
o What are the benefits of wisdom?
o What's the difference between wisdom and knowledge?
o Are there ways in which you tend to trust in yourself rather than God and His will?
o Think about your circle of close relationships - are there people in that circle that you consider wise?
o What's the difference, if any, between godly wisdom and worldly wisdom?
o How do I enroll in the school of wisdom?

In each of the lessons thus far in our series, I have presented to you the "key verses" of the Book.
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

What I haven't done up to this point is to show you how this thought is echoed in other Books of the Bible.
Psalms 111:10 NKJV
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments (His Word). His praise endures forever.

The first phrase of this verse is identical to that of Proverbs and when it speaks of fearing God, it is talking about holding God in high respect and awe. In the second half of the verse, when the phrase "His commandments" is used, that is a reference to the Word of God.
I believe there are two reasons for a lack of wisdom in our culture, and even within the Church. This verse in Psalms hits on both of them. Wisdom is lacking because of:
1. A diminished reverence and awe of God
2. A disappearing respect for God's Word.

The Bible testifies that for the truly wise person, God and His Word are life's foundation and compass. In contrast, our culture is moving to replace God and His Word with "self" and humanistic philosophy. If you desire to live life wisely - that is, to have a significant depth of practical common sense about relationships, business, personal character and spirituality, I invite you to travel with me as we look into God's Word, and specifically through the Old Testament book of Proverbs. Proverbs speaks most directly to the matter of living life wisely. Let's start our quest for wisdom by reading a few verses from the Book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 2:4 asks us to "seek wisdom….as if it were a lost treasure."
Proverbs 3:13 NKJV
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;

Proverbs 4:5-7 NKJV
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Wisdom is the principal (or chief) thing we are to pursue. If that is true, and I believe it is, then we need to know what wisdom really is.
WHAT IS WISDOM?
The definition most often given, and probably the easiest to understand is:
"Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge." "The ability to use knowledge correctly."

Homer Haley:
"Wisdom is INSIGHT into the underlying causes of significance or consequences of things, which INSIGHT enables one to apply to the best end the knowledge which he has."

Pastor William Cunningham
"It is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding."

Walt Kaiser (in his book "Towards Discovering the Old Testament")
"Having experience, knowledge and understanding together with the power of applying all three with prudence, practicality, discretion and commonsense; the heart and center of proper moral and intellectual judgment; an attribute that God imparts to His people."

Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
"The ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding."

From each of these definitions, we can see that wisdom is not the same as knowledge. However, the Bible often links wisdom and knowledge. The fact that the word "wisdom" (and related words like, prudence, discretion, etc.) is used in the book of Proverbs as a contrast to evil indicates that a moral and spiritual quality is intended, not merely an intellectual one. The Bible indicates there are three distinct types of wisdom.
1. Human Wisdom
2. The Fallen World's Supernatural Wisdom
3. Godly Wisdom
The Bible often makes a distinction between worldly and godly wisdom. James 3:15-17 contrasts the godly wisdom from above to the wisdom of this world.
1. Human Wisdom
There is normal human wisdom which is human knowledge applied to a natural situation. Such wisdom, rightly used, can contribute much to human progress. However, it can also pander to man's pride. For that reason the Scripture says "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; and the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate" (1 Cor. 1:19).
It is against the wisdom of God that Paul contrasts natural wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19 that he calls it "the wisdom of this world."
--- or "human wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2:4,
--- "the wisdom of men" [2:5]
---"the wisdom of this age" (this world) in 1 Corinthians 2:6.

--- "man's wisdom" [ 1 Corinthians 2:13]
--- "fleshly wisdom" [2 Corinthians 1:12].

Actually, it is from these contradicting thoughts that we get our English word "SOPHOMORE." "Sophomore" is a one-word oxymoron. By the time you are in the tenth grade you know a little bit. But the trouble is, you think you know everything. That makes a fool of you.
In the Greek, the word for wisdom is SOPHIA. "Sophomore" come from...
Sophos = wise
Moros = fool
Thus Sophomore = a wise fool.

Wisdom is not simply the capacity to grasp great bodies of learning:
- to know about the solar system,
- to know about microbiology and bacteriology
- to know about the laws of Physics and Psychology,
- to understand General Accepted Accounting Practices.

It is not the mere amassment of human knowledge. If mere knowledge is the same thing as wisdom, there are many "wise" men and women who are really fools.
Earthly or natural wisdom has its limitations.
WHAT MIGHT YOU THINK ARE SOME LIMITATIONS OF NATURAL WISDOM?
A. It cannot save us.
1 Corinthians 1:19-21 (NIV)
19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

B. It can lead to self-glory
Jeremiah 9:23 (NIV)
23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches...

C. It can pervert.
Isaiah 47:10 (NIV)
10 You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, 'I am, and there is none besides me.'

D. Human wisdom without God is nothing.
Jeremiah 8:9 (NIV)
9 The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have?

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon spoke of that earthly wisdom and understanding. Let me quote a few verses from various places in this book.
Ecclesiastes 1:2-18 NKJV
2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Solomon speaks of man's wisdom as producing, in the end, nothing but vanity, vexation, grief, sorrow, wickedness and iniquity. The apostle Paul adds another dimension in 1 Corinthians 3:19 - the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. So, the first kind of wisdom is human wisdom - or the wisdom of this natural world.
2. The Fallen World's Supernatural Wisdom
This was one basis of the first temptation when the woman saw that the forbidden fruit was "desirable to make one wise" so she took and ate it. (Gen. 3:6) Such wisdom was strictly forbidden by God.
WHERE DOES THIS WISDOM COME FROM?
It comes from the devil. There are two place in the Bible where we have been given fairly lengthy account of the original created state of Lucifer, and his subsequent fall. One is found in Isaiah 14, starting with verse 12. Here is where we will find Lucifer saying in his pride, "I will be exalted, and I will be like the Most High God." The other Passage on Lucifer's fall is found in Ezekiel 28, also starting with verse 12. It is in this Passage that Ezekiel, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, said of Lucifer: "….you were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty." Lucifer, that old devil we call Satan, was full of wisdom. In a sense, this is still true today. But he is not filled with wisdom in a good sense. Verse 17 says he corrupted his wisdom.
James 3:15 also speaks of a wisdom that is "sensual and devilish". The NIV renders it wisdom that is "unspiritual, from the devil."
Satan has the ability to exercise knowledge, learning, and insight into the affairs of himself and his fallen demons. But he also tries to insert his wisdom into the affairs of those who are out of fellowship with God.
3. Godly Wisdom
This is the spiritual wisdom, such as is exemplified by the book of Proverbs, where we are told to seek to acquire this kind of wisdom. The child of God can draw on this wisdom, which is from above.
1 Corinthians 2:6-7 (NIV)
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age [Satan], who are coming to nothing.
7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

In the Bible, wisdom is always God-oriented and practical. It is not entirely coexistent with knowledge, for a knowledgeable person may be very deficient in wisdom. Godly wisdom is the right use of one's knowledge, insight and skill to the glory of God. And it originates in the reverential awe of the Lord. Thus the Bible defines wisdom in terms of one's relationship with God rather than formal education or attainments before men.
J. I. Packer (Page 80 in "Knowing God") defines godly wisdom as:
"Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it."

The reason I like this statement (or definition) is because it requires something of the wise person. Truth and its application is not an abstract truth. It means a person has to do something. Wisdom does not allow a person to sit still or be inactive. Wisdom can be observed only when something is being done. A person may know what the right action is, but still not do the right thing. I think every person here has probably experienced times when they knew what was the wise thing to do, yet did the foolish thing. It is one thing to know moral goodness. It is quite another thing to practice it. WISDOM IS, IN FACT, THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF MORAL GOODNESS
There is a definite difference between God's wisdom and man's wisdom. Wisdom of men can be frustrated by circumstances which may be beyond their control. But God's wisdom cannot be frustrated, for it is linked closely to God's omnipotence. In other words, infinite power ruled by infinite wisdom. It is important to remember that "power" is as much a part of God's essence as is wisdom. And there are many Scriptures to show this.
Job 9:4 NKJV
4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength.

Job 12:13 NIV
13 To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

Job 36:5NKJV
5 Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.

Isaiah 40:27, 28
He is strong in power……there is no searching of His understanding.

Daniel 2:20 (NKJV)
Wisdom and might are his.

Romans 16:25, 27 (KJV)
Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel……God only wise.

I have a reason for showing many verses related to both God's power, and His wisdom. Please stay with me a bit longer.
1 Corinthians 1:24-25 (NKJV) addresses the closeness between God's wisdom and His power.
24 But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Why do I say this is so important.
IF GOD IS ALL-WISE, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT HE ALSO BE ALL POWERFUL?
If a person is all-wise, but lacked the power to carry out what they knew was right, it would be pathetic. If, on the other hand, a person was very powerful, but lacked wisdom, it would be extremely frightening. But in God we find boundless wisdom and endless power united. And this makes Him utterly worthy of our fullest trust.
The Book of Proverbs uses 8 different Hebrew words translated "wisdom." And, at times wisdom is portrayed as a personality. It takes the role of a person.
WHEN WISDOM IS PORTRAYED AS A PERSON, WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS USED?
Each time, it is in the form of a woman.

IS THERE ANY SIGNIFICANCE IN THAT?
The first time we see wisdom personified as a woman is in Proverbs 1:20-21. NIV
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; 21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:

Proverbs 3:13-18 NIV
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

Proverbs 4:13 NKJV
13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

Proverbs 8:1-3 NKJV
1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?
2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.
3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors:

Then, here in the 8th chapter, wisdom is not only referred to as a person, but she actually begins to speak. As one continues through the 8th chapter, wisdom takes on some new characteristics.
Proverbs 8:12, 14-16, 22-23, 27-30 NKJV
12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth.
22 "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.
23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
Here, wisdom takes on some eternal attributes. She originates with God before anything had yet been created.

27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,

Whoever this person is was the object of God's pleasure. She is shown as existing prior to this world and thus must be considered eternal for to be before this world is to be before time.
DO THESE QUALITIES TELL YOU ANYTHING ABOUT THE PERSON CALLED "WISDOM," AT LEAST IN THIS CONTEXT?
To answer this question, let me first ask you a couple of other questions.
CAN ANYONE HERE QUOTE JOHN 1:1?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT IS THE GREEK WORD TRANSLATED "WORD?"
Logos

HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT THE SEPTUAGINT VERSION OF THE BIBLE IS?
The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Old Testament In theological books it is sometimes referred to as the LXX. LXX is Roman Numeral for the number 70. And that is what the word "Septuagint" means in Latin. A total of 70 scholars, some from each of the 12 tribes, tackled this job and completed the task sometime around 280 B.C..
Early in the history of the Church, this became a valuable tool for understanding the Old Testament in a language that was familiar to them. I bring the Septuagint up because in Proverbs 8, the Greek word used for wisdom is "Sophia." In the early church, theological writers often wrote that the "LOGOS" of the New Testament was the "SOPHIA" of the Old Testament.
Jesus is the Wisdom of Proverbs. See the next lesson to study this in more detail.

Questions, comments & suggestions to John Hoole