The Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.

Continuing in our small group home Bible Study on “fear”, we find in Scripture that the fear of the Lord is not only the beginning, the source of knowledge, but also that the fear of the Lord is the beginning, the source of wisdom. The Hebrew word for wisdom in the above verse is “חָכְמָה” or “chokmah” but the word for knowledge is “דַּעַת” or “da`ath”. Wisdom is defined in the 1828 Webster’s dictionary as “the right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. It differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species, of which wisdom is the genus.”

Proverbs 14:26-27 “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.”

Webster’s goes on to say: “In Scripture Theology, wisdom is true religion; godliness; piety; the knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to his commands. This is the wisdom which is from above. The wisdom of this world, mere human erudition; or the carnal policy of men, their craft and artifices in promoting their temporal interests; called also fleshly wisdom.” The 1960 Webster’s dictionary only defines wisdom as: “Sagacity, prudence, good judgment; great learning.” The 1828 (first edition of Webster’s Dictionary) explains both types of wisdom and that’s why I use it. Then the following Bible Passage makes more sense.

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Our study explains that “wisdom” describes our approach to life. There is a wisdom of man and the world (fleshly wisdom), then there is wisdom of God (wisdom which is from above). The wisdom of God prompts us to approach life according to a correct knowledge of God and in alignment with His perfect Word, Will and Way. “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;  He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.” (Proverbs 2:6-7)

Ephesians 1:15-17 “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

In Christ, Brian