Seeking Wisdom

Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Prov 1:2-7 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prov 4:5-8 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

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IKing 3:5-15 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. 15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

Like Solomon, God approaches each of us and offers us the choice of what we should seek and make priority in our lives while on earth. We must choose correctly as to what God desires to be first in our lives! Our choices must NOT be:

1. Long life. (Overboard on Exercise, Fitness, Doctors, Medicines, or Wonder Drugs)

2. Riches. (Larger Salaries, Larger Homes, Better Cars, Expensive Toys)

3. Revenge, Power, or Fame.

If we focus on Wisdom in our earthly life, we will receive all of these things in the eternal life. (Eternal life, no sickness, pain, or death) (Riches: mansions, heaven, crowns) (God’s Wrath, Rule and Reign with Christ, Be like Jesus and in a glorified state)

We should make the correct decision like Solomon and ask for Wisdom in this life. There is a difference between “Wisdom” and “Knowledge”

Knowledge - is the understanding and grasping of information.

Wisdom - is the ability to apply the knowledge of God’s Word to our everyday lives!

The Wise men at Jesus’ birth prove this:

Matt 2:1-7 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

The Wise men, were wise because they were able to apply the scriptures and prophecies of the King of Israel to their present day circumstances. From the Prophecies of Daniel, alone, one can almost pinpoint the exact year that the Messiah would be born:

Dan 9:24-25 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

The Jewish people have “Sabbath Weeks” of Seven Years each (Leviticus 25:8)

The Wise Men would have used the Julian Calendar in that day and the date that Ezra was commissioned to rebuild Jerusalem until Jesus Christ’s death was exactly 490 years. (Julian Calendar 4265 to 4746). The Scribes and Pharisees had knowledge of this scripture and another scripture fortelling the birthplace of the Messiah.

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

The Scribes did not have the wisdom to look for Jesus! Wisdom is the ability to apply the knowledge of God’s Word in our lives! Even today, many people have knowledge of God’s Word, but do not have the wisdom to apply it to their lives. All the knowledge of God’s Word in the world will not help you unless you have the wisdom to apply it to your life.

“Preacher” is a term that was coined by Solomon about himself when he was applying the Word of God to practical situations. The term “Preacher” is used only a few times in scripture:

1. Solomon

Eccl 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Eccl 12:9-13 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Goad - an instrument for guiding the plow when plowing by oxen. It served to keep the animals in the correct path.

Masters of Assemblies - Were teachers of the Word of God who helped apply the Word of the Lord to everyday life, and applied the Word of the Lord just “as sure as a nail driven into a board.” The “one shepherd,” refers to the Word of the Lord, or the Word of the Good Shepherd. (Psalms 23)

Verse 13 goes on to say: Knowledge and study is not enough, we must respect God enough and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. We must seek Wisdom!

2. Paul (writing about the Jewish people) -

Rom 10:14-17 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

3. Paul (writing about the Gentile people)

1 Tim 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

4. Noah

2 Pet 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Preacher - Someone who teaches how to turn knowledge of God’s Word to Wisdom!

Other Preachers who were wise because they applied God’s Word to practical situations:

1. Jesus Christ

Matt 13:53-54, 57-58 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? . . . 57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

2. Joseph

Gen 41:39-40 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

3. Moses

Deut 4:5-6 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

4. Israel (the lack of Wisdom)

Deut 32:28-29 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. 29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

5. David

6. Men of Edom (Obadiah 1:8)

7. The Persecuted Church

Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

8. Israel (will in the future have wisdom)

Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

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IKing 3:16-28 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. 17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. 18 And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. 19 And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. 20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. 21 And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. 22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. 23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. 24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. 26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. 27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

Harlots - tavern-keepers, notice no husbands are mentioned in the story.

Solomon had enough wisdom to deal with the situation but not enough to deal with the root of the problem. David would have not allowed two harlots to go unpunished.

Ps 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Verse 28 of I Kings 3 says that Solomon’s decision caused Israel to fear him! But if Solomon would have taken care of the Adultery that was rampant in His kingdom according to God’s Word, then Israel would have feared God!!!!

Most Christians sell out to God’s Word just enough that the World respects us and our decision to be Christians. Let the Preacher preach just enough practical application of the Word for the world to tell that God’s Word is in us and boost our ego and reputation!

Solomon, despite all of His wisdom, lost out with God because of Idolatry!

IKing 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

God had promised Solomon long life but only reigned 40 years despite becoming King while He was still young. He also lost out on eternal life because of his sins. Solomon never received all of the wisdom that God wanted him to have, because he settled for just enough understanding of God’s Word to bring himself fame and stroke his ego and just enough to make him feel as if he were something for God! By building himself up, Solomon easily worshiped other Gods and lost out with God in the end!

What could Solomon have accomplished if he would have kept searching after understanding of God’s Word?!!? Remember Jesus could not do great miracles in Nazareth because they were offended at His wisdom. We tend to focus on Solomon’s kingdom because it was so great, but no other Bible character disappoints us quite like Solomon because even with all that he had achieved, he still did not attain all that God wanted him to have!

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Read Prov 8:1-9:12 in CEV substituting the definition of wisdom.

Wisdom - the ablilty to apply the Word of God to my everyday life.

Read Text Scriptures and substitute the definition of wisdom.

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John 18:37-38 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Pilate was having to choose between doing what was right, and fulfilling his own agenda. Pilate’s choice was between putting Wisdom first, or putting his position and power first because Pilate knew to free Jesus, meant a Jewish uproar and the subsequent loss of power.

Many people get “Pilate syndrome” when the Word of God demands that they change something that would affect their personal agenda. What is your priority in life: Riches, Fame, Power, Long life, or the ability to apply the Word of God to your personal life? If your priority is to attain something other than Godly Wisdom, then you will not attain the other goals in eternity.