Wisdom

There is a saying here in the land, “it is better to be wise than right”. I have been pondering that thought for sometime, and have been trying to understand what it really means. In the dictionary I found that the definition for “wisdom” is a little obscure: “Understanding of what is true, right, or lasting; Common sense, good judgment, scholarly learning, knowledge” (American Heritage Dictionary). Although this sounds like a legitimate enough definition, when checking the Scriptures for the Hebraic viewpoint, I have found, in some cases, wisdom listed first and separate from understanding and knowledge. In reference to the craftsmen building the Mishkan, it says: "He [YHVH] has filled him with the Spirit of Elohim, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship” (Ex. 35:31). YHVH bestowed wisdom on those whom He called to build His house, whether it was in the days of Moses, Solomon or Nehemiah.

The Scriptures say “Behold, the fear of YHVH, that is wisdom” (Job 28:28). In Job 28:28 and Psalm 111:10 it is written: “The fear of YHVH is wisdom, even the beginning of wisdom”. Why is awe or reverence (fear) of YHVH the beginning of wisdom? James gives us a clue in his writings: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). In Proverbs 2:6, even the answer is more direct. “For YHVH gives wisdom”.

If wisdom were a virtue Paul the apostle would have listed it as one of the “fruit of the Spirit” (see Gal. 5:22-23) that grows in us as we mature. However, we must conclude that for wisdom that is “from above” one has to approach YHVH. The proud will receive nothing from Him, but those who will walk humbly, in reverence and awe of Him, those He will answer. “ He [YHVH] regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar” (Psalms 138:6). Both James and Peter write, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Thus our hearts have to be right before YHVH when we approach Him for this wisdom.

The Scriptures often personify Wisdom. “Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares” (Proverbs 1:20). “Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars” (Proverbs 9:1). But in no place in the Word is it made more clear than when the Father’s wisdom was made manifest in His Son, who is “Wisdom” in His very person (1 Cor. 1:24). We get a good glimpse of the true nature of the Father when Yeshua took off His outer garments (the traditional Jewish dress of the day), girded himself with a servant’s towel and washed the feet of His disciples. The Scriptures say that Yeshua knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, He also knew where He came from and where He was going when He performed this act (see John 13:3-4). However, that was not the end of His testimony, nor of His demonstration of the knowledge of who He was, where He had come from and where He was going. In his letter to the Philippians Paul encapsulates it best: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the tree” (Philippians 2:8). Again, when the time came to manifest the wisdom of His Father, Yeshua hung naked on the execution tree. He did not need outer garments to remind Him of who He was - “the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29,36; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:6).

During His ministry on earth Yeshua not only taught the principles about His Father’s kingdom, but in His very nature also exemplified the “Torah written on the heart”. Being the king and high priest “after the order of Melchizedec”, He laid down His life for the People of Israel. Our Messiah said that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but that he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11, 18:14). “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land” (Matthew 5:5). “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12)!


If it is YHVH who holds the key to our wisdom, then perhaps we should pray along with Paul and James: “We pray YHVH that You, the Elohim of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of glory, may give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Yourself”(Eph. 1:17), “and that we may be filled with this knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:9), “especially the wisdom that is from You Abba, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” Amen.
07/03/2003