Proverbs 16:13-16 (16)
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will appease it.
15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!
Biblical Wisdom properly defined is when we “see things from God’s perspective.â€Â The problem is identified in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus demonstrates in practical terms what Biblical Wisdom is all about. Strangely enough the human reaction appears normally to be the direct opposite of the Divine desire. Proverbs 2:10-15 gives an “if-then†statement of promise. “When (if) wisdom enters into your heart, and (if) knowledge is pleasant to your soul; (then) discretion shall preserve you, (and then) understanding shall keep you.â€
In Phuket, Thailand, a sign hangs outside a doctor’s office. The words in Thai are followed by an English translation, which proudly proclaims: FAIRLY RELIABLE DOCTOR. Although this interpretation probably does not convey the intent of the doctor it does describe our human endeavors that lack godly wisdom. When our life’s intent is to see things from God’s perspective we can then be assured that the results will be different. They may be confusing to the world but they will be pleasing to God.
James’ admonition is encouraging. James 1:5 tells us that if we discover that we look at things only from a human perspective that we should ask God to help us to learn how to look at things from His view point. When we ask, James says we can be sure of two things: 1) God will generously bestow this ability upon us, and 2) He will not scold us for our spiritual sluggishness that causes us to be slow to make this request.
Dr. Gayle Woods
Proverbs 2:1-15
In the text for our consideration a number of If/Then propositions are made. Each of these involves the wisdom of God which is referred to repeatedly the book of Proverbs. “Wisdom” in Proverbs may be regarded not as a mere personification of the attribute of wisdom, but as a divine person, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24. In this particular portion of Scripture the Hebrew word Chakam is used. It is an important word in the Scriptures and is used to speak of “good and evil, prudence in secular matters, skill in arts, experience in Divine things, and even dexterity in magic.” (Girdlestones Synonyms of the Old Testament pp 89-90). The Greek form of the word which is used in the Septuagint is Sophia. The word as used in this context is narrowed in scope somewhat to refer to living a life that is pleasing to God. This is done by having a proper honor of God and by learning how to properly conduct himself in everyday life so that the principles of godly wisdom are applied. Doing this always brings glory to God. By exercising Chakam the reader is assured that he will finally come to understand the fear of the Lord and will find the knowledge of God. This can only be accomplished, however, by living for God because wisdom is a gift from God (vs. 6). Paul referred to this concept when he said that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. This is not to say that pagans can not learn about the Bible and learn lessons from it. It does suggest that to develop a relationship with God and understand things from His perspective that we must give our hearts and lives to God. When you see things through the eyes of God, have an inward inclination to do what you have perceived and then carry this into practice you can say that you are exercising true wisdom. Thus to carefully exercise godly wisdom is to pattern our lives after than of Jesus Christ who is “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Matthew Henry once said, Those who earnestly seek heavenly wisdom, will never complain that they have lost their labor; and the freeness of the gift does not do away the necessity of our diligence, John 6:27. . . When wisdom has
dominion over us, then it not only fills the head, but enters into the heart, and will preserve, both against corruptions within and temptations without. Matthew Henrys Commentary Proverbs 2.
Dr. Gayle Woods
