The Need for Wisdom
In this modern age of technology, life is governed by the use of the latest technology. Technology is the gateway to knowledge, and knowledge is the gateway to success. In this new era of technological advancement, we are surrounded by people hopelessly lost in the images and messages flashing on their cell phones. These instruments of bondage have created a new society of selfish introverts that are in submission to the stimulus of video screens instead of interest in their neighbor or their God. Scores of young men spend hours playing video games, while the young women devote a substantial amount of their time engaged in mindless entertainment through social media. Studies have shown that the younger generations have lost the ability for personal social interaction with other persons. They have also lost the ethics and morals of prior generations. This is displayed by the complaints among employers that the younger generations have poor work ethics, and they display an unwillingness to cooperate with coworkers. —What all this amounts to is that the vast availability of knowledge does not equate to the accumulation of wisdom. Those without wisdom are unable to make proper decisions because wisdom brings proper judgment. The lack of wisdom in our modern world also displays itself in other ways such as rebellion against authority and against God, which has visible and dire consequences such as an increase in deception and the rejection of truth.
Rejection of truth promotes rebellion against God, and rebellion against God creates lawlessness. Increasing violence, wickedness, hate, and corruption has darkened people’s spirits. In response they seek refuge in spirituality, and in the righteousness of God. As part of this movement people are also seeking wisdom because the pillars of truth on which wisdom stands have been toppled by a faithless generation. Truth and common sense have been pushed out by emotions and selfish desires. It is my opinion that this hunger for wisdom will grow. As people find wisdom, they will learn that only biblical wisdom can fill the void that has been left by the rejection of truth and the rebellion against God. Biblical wisdom brings right living in agreement with God’s will and it brings order out of chaos.
Defining Wisdom
But what is wisdom? Many people mistake wisdom with knowledge and believe that by accumulating knowledge they will become wise, but knowledge is not wisdom. Knowledge is the collection of facts, while wisdom is the ability to assemble the facts, process them through the mind, and then to make wise life decisions from them. An example of this is to consider the many leaders, politicians, and so-called academic experts who have vast knowledge but lack wisdom, so they fail to make wise decisions. Our ancient ancestors discovered the value of wisdom and sought it out wherever they could find it. Every nation, tribe, and culture had their own wisemen, sage, or shrewd philosopher who could provide valuable wisdom in which to make life changing decisions. Wisdom continues to be highly valued and is sought after to help provide direction in people’s lives. The value of wisdom is explained in the following quote from Understanding the Old Testament by Anderson, Bishop, and Newman, (2007).
“The search for wisdom is the quest for the meaning of life, and the quest is the basic interest of every human being.”
Biblical Wisdom
Biblical wisdom is the talent of studying and gathering the teachings of scripture to best navigate through life according to God’s purpose and will. In other words, biblical wisdom applies the wisdom of God to the practical issues of life. Can there be any higher source of knowledge and wisdom than the mind of the omniscient God? God’s wisdom has been preserved and recorded in the pages of scripture. Biblical wisdom is the process of mining the scriptures for its wisdom and then applying it to the circumstances of life. Since each person’s life is different with different challenges and issues, different aspects of biblical wisdom can be found for these various tribulations. However, the essence of God’s wisdom applies to all humans in the relationship between the Creator and His creation. God has revealed rules, laws, and advice on how to proceed through life, which all depend on submitting to God’s will.
Biblical wisdom concerns the issues and problems of everyday life so that a person can best live life in a corrupt and fallen world. Wisdom should lead a believer to understand that every wise decision and action requires dependence on God. Wisdom apart from God’s participation will fail to produce the desired results. The believer is to actively seek God’s cooperation through prayer, submission to the Holy Spirit, and pursuing spiritual growth.
Scripture describes the “fear of the Lord” as the beginning of wisdom, (Prov. 9:10). The main theme of the wisdom literature is the “fear of the Lord,” and in the Old Testament the “fear of the Lord” is to have knowledge of God. The “fear of the Lord” is to be in proper relationship and covenant, (agreement between two parties), with God–And only those who know God through a covenant relationship will find the treasures of His wisdom.
King Solomon is known as the wisest man in the world as scripture says of him, “his wisdom was beyond measure, and he was wiser than all that lived before him and and all that would come after him.” He is the author of the book of Ecclesiastes in which he ends with the conclusion; “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man,” (Eccl. 12:13).
The wisdom literature found in the Bible is intended to give people the ability to make godly choices in life by applying God’s truth to the matters encountered in everyday living. It differs from other biblical literature in that in focuses on the concerns of the individual instead of the larger community or nation. Wisdom literature is found in the Old Testament books of Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and the Psalms. It also found in the New Testament teachings of Christ, whose wisdom far exceeds that of Solomon because He is the source of wisdom.
Wisdom’s Purpose
Let me end with the wisdom intended to be drawn from the Doctrine of Man, which is that understanding man’s relation to God leads to the understanding of man’s purpose in life. The wisdom sought by philosophers, sages, and truth seekers throughout history are found in the pages of Scripture and explained by the doctrine. Direct your life according to this wisdom and things will go well with you in this world and the world to come according to the good will of God.
So, what is the purpose of life? The purpose of life is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, and with all our soul, and with all of our mind. Also, to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is the teaching of Christ on the greatest commandment presented in Matthew 22:37-39.
What is man’s primary purpose? Man’s primary purpose is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever, (The Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question #1).
Hosea 4:6 Teaching Ministry 