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But Where Shall Wisdom Be Found?

“Wisdom is the principal thing; get wisdom” (Prov. 4:7).

Wisdom is something we do not naturally possess-something we must have for salvation. Something we can never naturally possess.

Wisdom is divine education, spiritual training, the learning, absorbing and practicing of eternal truth. It is a full-time occupation, a life-time job.

Wisdom is spiritual-mindedness. In his beautiful discourse on divine wisdom at the beginning of 1st Corinthians, Paul says-

Wisdom is knowing and doing that which is for the best-living in harmony with eternal facts. The Bible says all others are fools.

Wisdom is wanting to stand right out in the bright light of the Spirit’s revelation and thoroughly examine ourselves-within and without-by it; then striving to eliminate all that is out of harmony with God, and develop what pleases Him.

Wisdom is the examining of every act and activity and asking, has this any eternal value? Does it help in the way of life? Could I be doing something more profitable, more spiritually beneficial, more pleasing to God? Something that would bring me into closer relationship to God? Something more mature, less juvenile?

The Scriptures continually contrast wisdom with folly, saying that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.

There are many scriptural words translated “fool” and “folly,” indicating different aspects of foolishness. The original meanings are; perverse, wilful, boaster, self-confident, empty, senseless, thoughtless, unwise, witless, dull.

The Scriptures apply all these terms to those who do not have the wisdom to walk in the narrow way that leads to life-the spiritually enlightened way of wisdom-those who do not strive to bring every thought into captivity to Christ.

The principal word for “fool” in the Old Testament is keseel-self-confident, relying on self.

Self-confidence, self-dependence, self-reliance, relying upon and being guided and motivated by natural thinking-considered maturity and wisdom by the world-is really the mark of the fool. The Scripture says-

The Scriptures make it clear that naturally we have no wisdom. Our natural condition is folly and ignorance, regardless of how well educated in worldly knowledge. We may have a mechanical, animal cleverness, but never wisdom, for the Scriptures speak of all worldly knowledge as foolishness.

The Scriptures measure wisdom and folly by the final result achieved. There is no other reasonable standard.

By this standard only one thing is wisdom, and that is godliness, for all else-regardless of how clever or prosperous or spectacular in achievement-leads only to the devouring worms of the grave at last.

Where is Aristotle? Where is Da Vinci? Where is Newton? Where is Einstein? They had tremendous animal mental power, far beyond normal-but no wisdom. They are wormy dust.

Only one path leads to life. All other activities lead to death. Therefore it alone is wisdom. And anything in life that does not contribute to this one purpose is folly-stupidity-idiocy: no word is too strong, the issues are so great!

It will help us a lot if we will honestly give our every action its proper label. Classification is the beginning of order. Face the facts. Face the Light.

We may still DO it, but let us at least, frankly, face the facts and label it clearly as wisdom or folly, according to whether it contributes to godliness or not.

We shall find, if we are honest, that much of our activity we will have to call folly. If we have any depth of sincerity toward God, things will soon lose their appeal if we frankly recognize them as time and life-wasting folly.

We are told that-

If this be so, it is surely folly indeed to spend any time and effort on anything that does not contribute to the attainment of salvation.

It is of utmost importance-yea, it is absolutely vital-that we perceive the clear distinction between true wisdom-the wisdom of God-and every aspect of that which the world considers wisdom. They are not only different, they are completely incompatible-diametric opposites, like light and darkness. They ARE Light and Darkness.

All throughout Scripture, the thoughts of natural man are described as false, foolish, vain-

And “directing the steps aright” is the very essence of wisdom.

The present world, the present generation of man, for all its cleverness, and ingenuity, and education and self-glorification-for all its computers, earth-orbits, moon shots, and space probes-is no closer to true wisdom, but rather further from it; for all these things-all these accomplishments-are detriments to the acquirement of true spiritual wisdom which must begin with a true estimation of man’s natural ignorance and folly. Jesus said-

This is a divine principle of action that is vitally important to recognize-

Wisdom is given by God only to those who fully realize the foolishness and emptiness of all natural man’s thoughts, INCLUDING THEIR OWN, and who seek His guidance in love and faith and trust.

In the first three chapters of 1st Corinthians, Paul gives the divine estimation of all human thinking and natural attainment, and fully exposes its utter folly and emptiness. He completely clears the ground of all human fabrications and conceptions-

And he finally sums it up decisively and conclusively, dismissing all human learning as a stumbling-block in the way of life (1 Cor. 3:18)-

Let him put it all behind him as empty human folly, as Paul did all his human learning-CAST IT OFF as a useless hurtful thing (1 Cor. 3:19)-

* * *

Let us, then consider what the Scriptures say about wisdom. In the Old Testament, the word occurs about one hundred sixty times. It occurs eight times in connection with those who helped build the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, then twenty-six times in the record concerning Solomon, one hundred times in Job, Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and a few times in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel-the four major prophets.

It occurs first in Exodus 28:3-

In Exodus 35:26, they are spoken of as those-

Here is illustrated that combination of God and man working together that is the key to salvation. Frequently we are told that wisdom must be hunted for as treasure, cried after, diligently sought and striven after, through study and meditation upon the Word of God.

* * *

Two-Thirds of all the occurrences of this word wisdom are in the life or writings of Solomon.

Here was a man with every possible advantage, and he started out so well, and so wisely. God gave him wisdom beyond any before or since, save Jesus himself.

And yet the record is that when he was old, his alien, worldly wives turned away his heart from God. For all his wisdom, he was led into folly, even though he writes so clearly and forcefully in Ecclesiastes the utter vanity of the present, and the wisdom of serving God. It is very sad, very instructive.

We may ask, what is the value of wisdom if the man who had the most was a failure?

Solomon’s failure does not detract anything from the value of wisdom. What it does teach is the tremendous power of the flesh, that it could cause such a capable, well-blessed man to turn aside from wisdom.

Perhaps Solomon’s incomparable blessings caused his heart to be lifted up in pride, and pride is but a very small step to stupidity. Pride so easily blinds wisdom’s eyes, and leads it helpless captive.

The proud are ready dupes for the most foolish and blatant deceptions.

God is just in all His ways. Where much is given, much is expected.

Solomon’s wisdom served a divine purpose. He was used to record essential teachings, and to manifest a striking lesson, but it did not give him an unfair advantage.

His testing was in accord with his privileges, and he failed, because he forsook the way of wisdom. We can never take salvation for granted. It is a matter of all-out effort, and fear and trembling.

Solomon’s case is a marvelous illustration of the direct operation of God upon a man, combined with the wonder of responsible individual free-will. God’s special gifts for certain purposes never affect or interfere with the individual working out of their salvation. This is a marvel we cannot understand, but must accept as essential to the justice of God.

* * *

The first Scriptural discussion on wisdom is in Job 28. Here is described in beautiful language the tremendous efforts men will put forth to extract the hidden treasures of the earth. No labor is too great, no danger too terrifying-man will seek treasures and fame with lifelong dedication-

After all this it enquires-

In the well-known 90th Psalm, which is attributed to Moses, occurs this prayer-

This is the whole secret of life. So often these words are repeated on occasions of sorrow or loss, but how little we truly heed them!

We come now to the Proverbs, the heart of the subject. The Book begins-

The purpose of the Book is to impress us with the importance of wisdom; to teach us the emptiness and foolishness of our natural mind; to try and awaken us to the urgency of our need to search tearfully for wisdom-

And only by the constant absorption of divine wisdom do we ever become or stay “spiritually minded.”

The present is so real, and presses so closely upon us, that all things tend to encourage and feed the mind of the flesh. Attaining divine wisdom is slow and uphill and laborious for our mortal minds, and most of us are very lazy mentally.

But only those who struggle all the night, and overcome, will gain the prize.

* * *

A recognition of the reality and authority of God is the very beginning of all true learning. The Scriptures say that anyone who does not recognize the reality of God, and make Him the center of all their thinking, is a FOOL.

This is basic-there is no use sugar-coating it; no use going any further until this is learned.

Wisdom does not hide from man. Her advertisements are everywhere in creation around us (Prov. 1:20-21)-

The Scriptures tell us that God’s wisdom and power and divinity cry out continually in all the beauty and order of creation, and that any who cannot see His hand in it all are blind fools.

And this testimony is true. The recognition of God is the very beginning of the opening of the eyes to Light. All wisdom, all true knowledge and understanding, must start there. Proverbs 1:22 continues Wisdom’s urgent plea-

Let us take what instruction is due us from these words. WE DO NOT STAND ABOVE AND BEYOND THEM.

We ALL fall far short in our appreciation of, and search for, divine wisdom. We drift along from day to day, largely taking salvation for granted.

These strong words of exhortation are to rouse us from such fatal self-deception. We are at school, with much to master, the time is short, and the judgment seat will determine with terrible finality, whether we have passed or failed. There will be much bitter weeping and gnashing of teeth then, for wasted time and lost opportunity, but it will be too late. Many parents who have berated their children for failing to study will find they themselves have failed far more grievously.

* * *

Chapter 2 emphasizes this theme that the attainment of the knowledge of God that alone is life eternal is a matter of prolonged and intense yearning.

We must go forth every day consciously determined to use every effort and opportunity TO KNOW MORE AND MORE OF GOD-of the deep things of His revelation and manifestation.

We can never be content with shallowness; yea, we can never be content AT ALL. We must have a sense of pressing urgency-of knowing so little-of having so much to learn-so much to develop-so little time to spare.

Is not this an infinite desirable condition? Have we “great peace?” It comes only to those whose roots are deep in the knowledge of God. If we do not have peace, that is a danger sign. Solomon says here-

James says (1:5)-

But he warns (v. 6)-

It must be in pure singleness of heart. All other interests must be put away.

* * *

Proverbs 2:10 speaks of-

The way of life is not an arbitrary or mechanical set of rules. It is a glorious, personal, joyful, exciting relationship with the Father, the eternal Fountainhead of all glory, joy and love.

Beauty is that which is pleasing to the senses, and it is the opening up to our understanding of the beauty of holiness that makes knowledge pleasant to our soul.

Who can desire the ugliness of the flesh when their eyes have been opened to the beauty of holiness?

The flesh is ugly, terribly ugly; ugly in its self-centered and self-destructive stupidity. All its reactions are ugly, in ourselves and in others, and the more clearly we can see its ugliness, by comparing it with the beauty of holiness, the more we shall seek to overcome it.

* * *

Proverbs 3 gives further instruction in the way of wisdom

(vs. 5-6)-

Here is a wonderful promise-

God will not “direct our paths” unless we on our part “acknowledge Him in ALL our ways.” There can be no holding back. Continually uppermost in the mind at all times must be the remembrance of God and a desire to please Him, which is stronger than any other desire.

If we do not have this, let us stick with it and think it through until we clearly see there is no other sensible or satisfactory way to live. God said to Israel, and it applies to all-

Most people live like the horse and the mule. They never do any real thinking. They live by custom, and desire, and habit, and emotion, and self-gratification. God’s people must be different.

* * *

The end of Proverbs 3 gives two aspects of an important divine principle-just to whom God gives wisdom-

Life-giving wisdom is a precious gift of God to those alone who seek to please Him and conform to His desires. The way of wisdom is defined in the words of Paul to the Philippians:

If we truly seek divine wisdom, we must honestly and consis-tently walk according to what we already understand, and put away what we know to be out of harmony with divine perfection. Otherwise we mock God by asking for more guidance.

* * *

Proverbs 8 is a beautiful exhortation by Wisdom herself, personified as the everpresent hand-maiden of God in all His works. It would well repay daily reading and meditation.

She freely offers to men ALL peace, ALL happiness, ALL well-being, ALL joy.

She crieth everywhere, seeking men’s attention, seeking to turn them from death to life, and from sorrow to joy, from natural poverty to true spiritual wealth.

Why must wisdom and life cry in vain, while all the world flocks after folly and emptiness and death?

What a sad commentary on mankind! Are we so foolish as to join in these meaningless, juvenile pursuits of entertainment, pleasures, acquiring of wealth, and constant childish time-wasting play-rushing headlong to the eternal oblivion of the grave?

Let us be men in understanding, and recognize the true divine, eternal values of life.

* * *

Wisdom says in this 8th chapter-Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Here is an intimation that many leave the search for wisdom until too late. God is not mocked. When He decides we have had ample opportunity, He often closes the door and sends strong delusion. We never know when the door will suddenly be closed. Wisdom continues-

“Substance” here is surely a well-chosen word. “Substance” implies permanence, solidity, reality, durability.

Substance is what we want-not the vapor and froth and bubble of the passing world.

Here, perhaps, is wisdom’s greatest characteristic. It is eternal. It is divine. In the great scope of infinity, folly is but for a fleeting moment, but wisdom gives life for ever and ever and ever.

* * *

In every scriptural subject, we are finally led to the same point. All points forward and finds its fulfilment in one man-the only REAL man-the only COMPLETE man that ever lived-the embodiment and perfect fulfilment of the divine wisdom of the ages. Isaiah declares (11:2)-

Here are “The seven spirits”-the seven-fold Spirit of the Deity before the throne-

The spirit of the Lord, of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord.

The seven pillars of Wisdom’s temple-all the aspects of Wisdom-understanding, counsel, knowledge, the fear of the Lord and might.

And Paul says, in the chapters in Corinthians on wisdom to which we have referred (1 Cor. 1:30)-

Here is the true life-giving Wisdom before which all the wisdom of the world stands as naked foolishness.

Christ is our wisdom, and our wisdom is Christ-

“In him,” declared Paul to the Colossians (2:3)-

Let us therefore live in him and for him-grow up into him in the wisdom of God through the Word, for “Wisdom is the principal thing.”

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