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.

 

So much need for a changed life

 

1 Samuel 14; Psalm 30; Jeremiah 51; Romans 12

Saul was the first king elected by the Old Testament people of Israel. He was like some leaders today who come up with plans that seem to ignore the consequences. For instance, in a battle with their enemies, he made two thoughtless decisions.

Before he did it, his son Jonathan trusted God for victory against a segment of the enemy army. He was only with his armor-bearer and told him they could trust the Lord because “nothing could hinder Him from saving by many or by few.” After God gave them victory, Saul determined to go after the remaining enemy army without knowing Jonathan had put them to fleeing. He decided his men should not eat until they won the battle, as if that would ensure their willingness to fight. They became faint, but Saul decided to kill anyone who defied his orders, not realizing that Jonathan had eaten some honey. In the end the army defend Jonathan even though his father was ready to kill him, another senseless decision.

Later, David became king. He was different. He cried to God for help and relied on His guidance. His psalms reveal his attitude as a “man after God’s own heart” and a person who often put the needs of others over his own . . .

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.” (Psalm 30:1–2)

David wasn’t sinless. He took another man’s wife and had her husband killed in battle. But he sought forgiveness as did others, yet he didn’t revert to his old ways time after time as many others did. Instead, he continually cried out to God.

The prophet Jeremiah also shows his heart for God by his attitude toward evil. Chapter 51 is a long prophecy of what will happen to Babylon. Even though God used this nation to discipline His people, He was going to destroy them because they defied Him and worshiped idols. Jeremiah said of them:

Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish. (Jeremiah 51:17–18)

The entire OT describes the condition of humanity. Sin started early and affected everyone. To this day, it still does. It is at the root of every problem on the planet. But it does not need to be . . .

The NT tells of Jesus who came to give new life to those who seek God and righteousness. Faith in Him produces changed hearts. Romans 12 describes how believers are characterized by yielding to God, seeking His will, thinking differently than the rest of the world, functioning by the inner motivations or spiritual gifts that God gives, loving and honoring one another, zealous for godliness, striving to meet the needs of people around them, not proud or wise in their own eyes, living at peace, not characterized by revenge, doing good to all including enemies, and striving to overcome evil with good.

Yet even then, my old nature is lured by selfish desires, peer pressure, and the lies of the devil to go back to living opposite to the wonder of being a child of God. This is the reason the Bible says:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2)

APPLY: This describes my daily need — to present myself to God and not let the old ways return. Discern His will by reading and studying His Word and doing what it says. The difference from OT life is explained by my devotional guide. It says that the motivating power for this transformation is the Spirit of God, but that magnificent truth does not absolve me of resolve; it empowers it. This is a great truth and the reason that I praise and worship Him. I cannot do any of it without Jesus!

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)