Introduction
Wisdom, as presented in the Bible, is more than mere knowledge or intellectual understanding. It is portrayed as a divine attribute that guides righteous living and decision-making, often linked with a reverent relationship with God. This expository study will explore the concept of wisdom, primarily focusing on its usage and significance across various Biblical texts.
1. Wisdom in the Old Testament
1.1. Wisdom as a Divine Attribute
• Proverbs 9:10 (ESV): “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
• Exposition: This verse ties wisdom directly to the fear (reverence) of the Lord, establishing that true wisdom starts with a proper relationship with God. The Hebrew word for “wisdom” here is “חָכְמָה” (chokmah), which conveys a broad sense of skill in living that aligns with God’s will.
• Job 28:28 (NIV): “And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.’”
• Exposition: Echoing Proverbs, Job associates wisdom with the fear of the Lord. In the context of Job’s suffering, this statement highlights wisdom as the means to navigate life’s challenges while maintaining reverence for God.
1.2. Wisdom in Creation
• Proverbs 3:19-20 (NKJV): “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.”
• Exposition: Here, wisdom is not just moral or ethical but is depicted as foundational to the creation itself. The act of creation is portrayed as an expression of God’s wisdom, suggesting that the order and design of the universe are inherently wise.
• Psalm 104:24 (ESV): “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”
• Exposition: The Psalmist praises God for His creation, attributing the diversity and complexity of life to God’s wisdom. This verse emphasizes that wisdom permeates all of creation.
1.3. Personification of Wisdom
• Proverbs 8:1-3 (NIV): “Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand.”
• Exposition: Wisdom is personified as a woman calling out to humanity. This personification continues throughout Proverbs 8, where Wisdom speaks of her role in creation and her desire to be embraced by humans. This poetic device highlights the active, dynamic nature of wisdom in the world.
• Proverbs 8:22-23 (NKJV): “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.”
• Exposition: Wisdom is depicted as pre-existing creation, aligning with God’s eternal nature. This suggests that wisdom is integral to God’s identity and purpose.
2. Wisdom in the New Testament
2.1. Wisdom in the Teachings of Jesus
• Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
• Exposition: Jesus contrasts wisdom with foolishness, associating wisdom with obedience to His teachings. Wisdom here is practical, leading to a stable, resilient life.
• Matthew 11:19 (NIV): “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
• Exposition: Jesus uses “wisdom” to justify His actions, implying that true wisdom is validated by the results it produces. Wisdom is thus practical and is seen in righteous action.
2.2. Wisdom in the Apostolic Writings
• 1 Corinthians 1:24 (ESV): “But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
• Exposition: Paul identifies Christ as the embodiment of God’s wisdom. This is a profound statement that redefines wisdom not as a concept or attribute alone, but as a person—Jesus Christ, who reveals God’s ultimate plan and purpose.
• James 1:5 (NIV): “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
• Exposition: James encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, highlighting its availability to those who ask in faith. Wisdom here is seen as a divine gift necessary for living out the Christian faith.
• James 3:17 (ESV): “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
• Exposition: James contrasts earthly wisdom with divine wisdom, describing the latter in terms of its ethical and moral qualities. This reflects a continuation of the Old Testament theme where wisdom is associated with righteous living.
3. Theological Implications of Wisdom
3.1. Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord
The consistent Biblical theme that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10) implies that wisdom cannot be fully understood or attained apart from a reverent relationship with God. This theological truth underscores the idea that wisdom is not merely intellectual but is deeply spiritual and relational.
3.2. Christ as the Wisdom of God
In the New Testament, particularly in Paul’s writings, Christ is identified as the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). This identification suggests that true wisdom is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christological wisdom transcends Old Testament personifications and brings fulfillment to the wisdom tradition by revealing God’s redemptive plan.
3.3. Wisdom in Christian Living
The practical outworking of wisdom in the believer’s life, as emphasized in James, shows that wisdom is manifested in ethical behavior and attitudes. Wisdom from God leads to peace, gentleness, and mercy, contrasting sharply with worldly wisdom, which is often associated with selfish ambition and disorder (James 3:13-18).
Conclusion
Biblical wisdom is a rich, multifaceted concept that encompasses reverence for God, moral living, and divine insight. It is personified in the Old Testament, embodied in Christ in the New Testament, and is accessible to believers today as a gift from God. True wisdom is not merely about knowledge or intellect but is deeply connected to one’s relationship with God and is demonstrated through righteous living.
References
• New Bible Dictionary (Third Edition). Edited by I. Howard Marshall, A.R. Millard, J.I. Packer, and D.J. Wiseman.
• Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. W.E. Vine.
• The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes: An Introduction to Wisdom Literature by Derek Kidner.
• The NIV Application Commentary: Proverbs by Paul E. Koptak.
The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella
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