Clarity in a World of Confusion

Introduction

Jesus and the crowd (John 2:23-25).

Can we distinguish between people’s true misgivings and their potential nefarious misunderstandings with perfect clarity?

Might we have been enticed by the accolades of the crowds?

Jesus and his temptation (Mt. 4:1-11): Would we have been so clear?

If so, then, we do grant Jesus his due as the Son of God.

We do not have God’s wisdom inherent to us.

We are not divine.

Consequently, we do not have absolute knowledge or pure knowledge about we out to live in the world.

Let’s return, briefly, to what happened in the Garden of Eden.

Spiritual death resulting in eventual physical death.

Separation from God.

The fall affected more than our right relationship with God.

It affected our thoughts, our clarity on evil, but our struggle to distinguish good from evil. We struggle with discerning good and evil in a way that God does not. We have to learn, now, to distinguish between the two.

Wisdom Inhabits Discernment

Clarity in a world of confusion is made possible by wisdom’s ability to make proper distinctions between cunning and prudence, understanding and plotting for evil.

In the second line of the passage, it appears that there is an intentional double-entente.

The ability to discover the nefariousness of a scheme is also the domain of wisdom.

Fearing the Lord Means Hating Evil.

In Romans 12 and 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul reminded those two churches of:

In the case of the Romans: we are a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, and we are to present/offer ourselves to him as such.

To the Thessalonians he wrote that “this is the will of God, your holiness.”

The writer of Proverbs, however, means something more than fearing the Lord leads us to be repulsed by evil that we see in the world.

Instead, those who fear the Lord want to be able to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, truth and error because we want to show proper reverence for the Lord.

We long for discretion because it enables us to live humbly before the Lord rather than in a state of unjust elevated perception of self, a lifestyle of evil, and perverted speech.

Wisdom Provides Clear Thinking that Leads to Proper Action

Prov. 8:14 gives another series of wisdom’s characteristics.

“For me (is) counsel.”

(ʿēṣâ). n. fem. counsel, advice. Words of instruction provided after consultation and calculation to assist in a decision-making process.

Note the connection back to Prov. 2:6-8.

Sound, clear decision making that might be the domain of kings.

(tûšiyyâ). n. fem. abiding success, efficient wisdom, sound wisdom. Refers to clear thinking that results in effective action.

Wisdom also claims, “for me (pertaining unto me) (is) strength.”

Because the context of the whole section is about lifestyle, we should probably think in similar terms.

The strength to live obediently and righteously, confidently in the midst of an unrighteous world comes from the clarity provided by the disclosure of God’s wisdom.

Look at the similarity with Eph. 6:10 ff, Col. 2:1-5, 1 Pet. 5:10.

Wisdom Offers Clarity on True Wealth

One point that probably should be raised is that the text implies that the same wisdom by which kings reign is available to all, universally who live in fear of the Lord.

Those who love wisdom and diligently seek her will find her.

It is not secret, neither is it the domain of only elites or a special class.

It is available to all who fear the Lord.

Wisdom’s fruit is better than:

Gold, even fine gold.

Silver, the best.

Wisdom offers riches, honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.

It transfers an inheritance to those who love her, filling their treasuries/coffers.

Prov. 22:1.

Spiritual wealth has greater value than material wealth.