Today’s Food for Thought post is a continuation of our discussion about wisdom. As we stated before, the Bible says, “wisdom is the principal thing.” We should crave and pray for wisdom and not for earthly wealth and prestige. But there wouldn’t be any wisdom without knowledge and understanding.
Job asked the question, “But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?”
First, let’s consider where wisdom isn’t found. A person who doesn’t know his creator or the creator of the world and the universe isn’t wise. He lacks wisdom. He lacks the knowledge of God.
Knowing that we have a heavenly father is knowing we have an eternal connection with our creator. It is with His breath that our hearts beat. It isn’t difficult to discover that He is the father of the known and unknown worlds.
God reveals himself through His heavenly and earthly creations. They are manifestations of His power and Godhead. We hear Him in the enchanting singing of the bluebirds. And we see Him in the zig-zag lightning in the vast sky.
In the heart dwell human understanding and common sense that God is among us. And He is supreme in everything, including wisdom. His creation testifies of Him and His power. Seek Him through His word, and He will reveal Himself.
His word is His character and promises. Spiritual knowledge of God’s word is knowledge of the holy one. And understanding comes thereby.
Who will seek God, gleam His wisdom, discover His sovereignty, and revere His power?
Job revered and feared God. And he shunned evil thoughts and deeds.
Where is wisdom found? Wisdom dwells with God. There is no separation or disharmony between God and His word. And God is revealed through His word.
Job 28:28 (KJV) says, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
If you believe God’s word, you believe and know God. Departing from evil is spiritually wise.
In the Bible, the relating of many biblical beliefs, persons, and things are in threes or a triunity. In the beginning, there is God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There is also the water, the Spirit, and the blood that testifies of Jesus, God’s son.
So, it is no surprise that the path to the knowledge of God and his blessings involves a threefold continuum. The continuum includes knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. The three are interrelated. And God is the origin of them all. They are stepping stones to an enlightened and blessed life.
Job had great wisdom. He feared, loved, obeyed, and worshipped God. He honored God and eschewed evil.
Fearing God is the first lesson as believers in God’s incomprehensible wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Fear and reverence open the door for instruction. The wisdom of the word through the Holy Spirit is our greatest instructor and teacher.
Parents should be wiser than children. Don’t we instruct them about good and bad, safety and danger? But let’s not forget to tell our children about God.
In Psalms 34:11 (KJV) David says, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”
David tells them to do good, not evil. Seek peace, not contention. Control their tongue, don’t speak amiss.
Like David, we must instruct our little ones. We must teach them about the good book, the Bible, and the good word, God’s word. Tell them about nature, God’s handiwork. Teach them the signs or sightings of God at work. Tell them about the thunder, lightning, sun, and rain. Teach them about God’s love and blessings: food, shelter, health, etc.
To fear God, we must first believe that He is the one true God and Godhead. In knowing and believing the Godhead, we have knowledge; we have wisdom.
What instructs us to fear and revere God? Wisdom.
A brute or a fool refuses instruction, even common sense.
But I’m not talking about intellect or earthly wisdom of experience. I’m talking about spiritual wisdom and discernment. Only God is the giver of spiritual gifts and virtues such as wisdom.
Proverbs 2:3-6 (KJV) says, “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Wow! Repeat that.
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. In Him, in His word, lies the wisdom and understanding we seek. Seek knowledge, understanding, and wisdom like hidden treasures.
Who has the wisdom? God has the wisdom!
Like a hungry baby thirsts and cries for milk, those who love God thirst for knowledge and understanding. If we love God, we will seek those things that are of Him: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
Eve, the first woman, desired to be wise—to know good and evil. And she ate of the forbidden fruit. She disobeyed God.
The fruit and knowledge of God’s word aren’t forbidden. And His word isn’t hidden in the depts of the sea or heaven. God’s word is available to all. Read it. When we study and meditate on the word, we learn of Him. And the Holy Spirit, our teacher gives us understanding and instructions.
Psalm 119:11 (KJV) says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.”
Obeying God’s word is good understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.