Wisdom is available . . .

 

 

READ Proverbs 9-12

At times when I make a mistake, I chide myself by saying, “Oh are you ever stupid.” I’ve been told not to do that because “you are not stupid.” While self-talk is important, and in Christ I have much higher resources than stupidity, it is important to recognize the difference between wisdom and folly. In the beginning, they could appear to be alike . . .

The wise man wrote, “Wisdom has built her house” and she calls out “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” (Proverbs 9:1–6)

The way of folly is described with the same words of invitation but ends quite differently: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (Proverbs 9:16–18)

In almost every verse, Proverbs 10-12 goes on to contrast wise and foolish choices. Here are a few that focus on the theme of wisdom:

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. (Proverbs 10:1)

The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. (Proverbs 10:8)

On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. (Proverbs 10:13)

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. (Proverbs 10:23)

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. (Proverbs 10:31)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. (Proverbs 12:15)

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

These verses in their context equate the wise person with someone who is redeemed through faith in God and is obedient to Him. Obedience reveals how faith produces a righteousness that is imputed, that is, a righteousness that comes from God. Both OT and NT clearly reveal that this righteousness is something we do not possess on our own. The NT puts it this way:

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:28–31)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17–21)

For that reason, the wise man who wrote Proverbs also links wisdom with righteousness and righteousness with eternal life. In Christ, this is a package. That is, redemption imputes all that is true about Jesus to those who believe in Him. Because He lives forever, this eternal life is true also of those who are His. For that reason, today’s reading concludes with: “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” (Proverbs 12:28)

However, wisdom is not exercised automatically. I can choose folly, or not know answers, or be clueless to what choices to make. I have to ask for it, which means admitting I don’t have it:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

His wisdom is part of redemption’s package, even offered freely to all who ask for it. That means I have no excuse for foolishness, or not knowing what to do, or even for making stupid choices. Lord God, enable me to be wise in all that I say, do, and decide today. I feel so helpless and ignorant much of the time, and Your Word makes it obvious that Your wisdom is available. For that, I am both needy and grateful.