WISDOM. To understand wisdom in the Bible, you have to understand the Hebrew language and culture. Honestly, to understand the NT, you have to have knowledge of the Old, as it was written by Hebraic men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Much of the OT Scripture is quoted in the NT. You have to look through the lens of the culture of that day and time to understand a lot of the ways things are phrased and said. Thus, to understand the book of Proverbs (wisdom), you need a keen knowledge of what wisdom entails according to the Israelite people.
“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Prov 1:1-7
The parent root חם (hham), meaning “heat,” is the root of the word חכם (hhakham) which means “wisdom.” The word hham appears in its original pictographic script as two letters. One letter is a picture of a wall which “separates” one side from another and the second letter is a picture of “water.” Combined, these two letters literally mean “separate water.” When “heat” (hham) is applied to water, we have evaporation, or a “separating of water.”
Wisdom (hhakham) is related to the idea of “separating,” as this word means “one who is able to separate between what is good and what is evil”. This one word can be translated as either “skill” when applied to a craftsman, or as “wise” when applied to a leader or counselor.
Therefore, a proverb is “to know” wisdom. It is to be acquainted with the wisdom of God in an intimate way. This is not a head knowing, but an intimate knowing as we would say, “Adam knew his wife Eve”. Wisdom is a personal and intimate knowing of how to distinguish between good and evil. Wisdom knows the nature and character of God and therefore can make good decisions.
Are you still tracking with me? A wise person is so intimately connected with the LORD and His ways, they can separate and are skilled in determining what is of God and what is not of God. Let me give you an example.
A few months ago, we were out to dinner with another couple and my husband wanted a big fat greasy burger. When the waitress came he ordered the “Impossible burger”, thinking it was so rich and yummy it was “impossible”. He did not recognize that the new fad is “impossible meat”, which is plant-based something or another, but is not meat. It went on to the next person and they ordered. And so I spoke up, “Honey, I know you did not want a plant based burger. You ordered wrong.” To which he replied, “NO WAY!! THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME!” Or close to something of that sort.
The point is, I have been married to him for 25 years and I know my husband’s likes and dislikes. There is no way he would ever order a plant-based burger. I can even pack his clothes for a trip for him without him present. I know what he wants to wear under any conditions. We are intimately connected. I have wisdom concerning my husband because I have been intimately connected with him over a long period of time. It didn’t happen over night. Here’s what I want you to have wisdom in:
“He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.”
Proverbs 18:9-11
Snuggled between the wisdom of how slothfulness leads to destruction and how rich men put their trust in their riches, is a piece of beautiful wisdom. This is not a promise as far as Biblical promises go, but rather a piece of wisdom. Why is it considered wisdom? Because the righteous have discerned and intimately know through first hand knowledge of God that running to the LORD produces safety. They are well acquainted with His protection and provision because they know His character. You will distinguish between the wise and foolish by this very thing.
Watch what foolish and unwise people do in the midst of affliction, chaos and times of fear. The foolish and unwise forsake the House of the Lord when the wise run into His house. The foolish isolate themselves, the wise run to His altar. The foolish search out their own protection, the wise seek only His protection and dwell under the shadow of His wings. The foolish fear man and most things while the wise fear Him alone and nothing else.
“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” Proverbs 16:16
Want Biblical wisdom? You must intimately know the nature and character of God. This means you study His words and doings from Genesis to Revelation and you pray without ceasing. Hang out with the wise and you will become wiser. Gather with the wise brethren and sit under a pastor who teaches the whole counsel of God. Allow yourself to be disciplined and discipled by someone wiser than you. Fear the Lord and nothing else. This is the beginning of wisdom. Run to Him when disaster strikes and you will be safe.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page