The Origin of Wisdom

Introduction:

There is a phrase that has come up in news reports and advocacy over the last few years - “the right side of history.” The phrase pre-supposes that the views that one side of an issue is advocating will be vindicated and proved to be correct when historians give their assessments.

But, in the moment, how do we know what is right? How do we know what is true? How do we know whether history actually has a right or wrong side?

In order to answer these and other related questions, I think we need wisdom.

There are some who would say that all of Scripture is wisdom. While I don’t disagree with them, I think Scripture is more than simply wisdom - it is God’s revealed word.

If you were to look at chart of the books of the Bible, you might notice a section of books that are described as wisdom books - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, possibly even Song of Solomon. These, along with Psalms, are often lumped into the category of poetry as well.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to consider a few passages in the book of Proverbs as we seek to pursue Wisdom in a Wacky World. Now, I had initially intended on doing about 10-15 sermons on Proverbs, but for a variety of reasons, we are only going to lay a foundation for a few weeks that we can build on next time we jump back into the book of Proverbs.

A few weeks ago, Carolyn, Jordan and I were meeting to choose some songs and scriptures for several weeks of worship services. As we were approaching this week, Jordan noted that she heard someone categorize the wisdom books in this way...

Proverbs is for the young - implying that Proverbs seems to be low hanging fruit. It’s designed to help the young to navigate the tumultuous waters of independence.

Ecclesiastes is for the Middle Aged Cynic - for those who have reached middle age - Ecclesiastes seems to reverberate of the hopelessness of life, the meaningless of life, the “vapor” of one day flowing into the next. It seems to paint a picture of a world without God.

Job is for the aged - who can look back and still rest in the sovereignty of God. Life may not have been filled with all of the hopes of youth, but it certainly is not marred by the cynicism of middle age. God is still in control. God is still Sovereign over all of time. God will still accomplish his will in the universe - and in the lives of His people.

As we dive into our brief study in Proverbs, I realize that we are all coming at this from different stages of life. I do think there is value and benefit that we can all receive in studying every book of the Bible. Proverbs may not be the full embodiment of all wisdom, but I do think it provides some helpful thoughts and observations as we navigate the world in which we live.

Now, all of this introductory information sort of forces us to ask the question: “What is wisdom?”

Jim Newheiser defines wisdom as… “skill, the ability to do a job.”

Theologian Roy Zuck defines wisdom as: “Wisdom means being skillful and successful in one’s relationships and responsibilities … observing and following the Creator’s principles of order in the moral universe.” (Wiersbe)

In other words - wisdom is knowledge that is applied to life in a way that leads to flourishing for the person making wise choices and can result in the flourishing of those who are impacted by those choices and actions.

Over these next few weeks, we’re only going to scratch the surface of the wisdom liturature.

Today, we’re only going to consider chapter 1, verses 1-7. While these verses seem to be a preamble to the entire book, I think these verses ask and answer four helpful questions.

Who should pursue wisdom?

Why should we pursue wisdom?

How do the proverbs communicate this wisdom?… and,

What is the source of wisdom?

Who should pursue wisdom? (4-5)

In some ways we could say everyone, but here Solomon seems to have in mind a couple of specific groups of people - the simple, the young, and the wise...

Proverbs 1:4–5 ESV

to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

The simple - It is believed that Solomon initially wrote many of these proverbs for the benefit of his children. We often only hear about Rehoboam - because he was the King that followed Solomon, but I think it can be safely assumed that there were many other children - after-all - he had countless wives and concubines. Solomon was certainly not the epitome of godliness. The simple may simply refer to those who have little experience or knowledge - in other words - the naive. Even at the age I am now, I find myself in that category of being naive. The mistakes I’m making, I’ve made before. The places where I’m vulnerable often seem to reveal my own naïveté. I guess I am simply too trusting.

The pursuit of wisdom not only for the simple at any age in life. The Proverbs are for...

The young - It seems that Solomon and the other authors of this book are intentionally trying to impart “knowledge and discretion” to those who are coming behind them - those who are part of the next generation. For those of you who feel like you are on the younger side of things, let me encourage you to learn from those who are older than you. Sure, they may sometimes come across as cynical or pessimistic - but it’s because they have learned the hard way. Resenting their guidance will only add insult to injury as we (and I do have a lot to learn from those who are older/wiser than I am) not only gain wisdom through painful experiences because we’ve not heeded their advice, but we add tension to the relationship as resentment can cause a barrier between us and them.

But this passage calls out the simple and the young - it also calls out...

The wise - Those who have already learned so much, can still learn more. There are new ways that these pithy statements can be experienced and applied - even in the twilight years of life.

Throughout the book of Proverbs, there are encouragements and instructions for people in each of these categories - children, parents, employers, employees, leaders, followers, debtors, lenders - and so many more.

So who should pursue wisdom? Everyone.

But these verses also ask and answer a second question...

Why should we pursue wisdom? (1-6)

There is a sense in which wisdom becomes a nebulous commodity. It can’t be quantified - but there is value to it. It can’t be counted, but attaining it adds up to a flourishing life.

Here in these opening verses of the book, Solomon notes several reasons to pursue wisdom - several reasons to learn from those who have gone before.

First of all, the wisdom that these proverbs evoke are intended to provide

knowledge - unlike trivial facts, the knowledge derived from wisdom has the connotation of revelation - making known things that have been previously unknown. I think this is one of the places where Proverbs shines. There are so many practical tidbits regarding parenting, aging, finances, work ethics, and more that make pursuing wisdom through the proverbs helpful.

instruction or discipline - David Atkinson notes in his commentary that these words in Hebrew have an air of correction to them. It’s sort of like a course correction - we’re headed one way and the instruction that wisdom provides gets us back on track to where we should be. We should pursue wisdom in order to correct places in our lives where we might be out of step with what is wise and prudent.

understanding - This is so much more than an acknowledgement of fact - but a comprehension of why those facts are the way they are. For example, Dave Ramsey famously talks about running from debt like a gazelle runs from a hunter. This comes directly from Proverbs 6:1-5 which says

Proverbs 6:1–5 NLT

My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger— if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said— follow my advice and save yourself, for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.

The point of these verses in proverbs is that getting caught in too much debt is like getting hunted and trapped. Understanding comes when you realize how debt and interest working against you can be crippling. Debt in our culture is so easy to come by and yet so difficult to shed. Having knowledge of the facts is one thing, but having an understanding of the ramifications is another altogether.

The proverbs provide knowledge, discipline, and understanding they also give us insights for…

living - Solomon contends that wisdom is more than simply gaining knowledge. Wisdom results in living. He qualifies this in three ways...

right living - living uprightly or righteously or living with integrity - living the same way in public as in private.

just living - the idea behind this principle is that just living is life lived against a clear standard. It’s not giving benefits to one person over another - but making judgments based on fixed measurements. Imagine what it would be like for someone who places a ball in football to skew in favor of one team or another. Or consider the difference between telling someone that a fish you caught was “so big” verses being able to communicate that it was 15 inches long and weighted 3 pounds. Just living is not a life lived in view of other people’s perspectives but life lived with God’s standard in mind.

equity - This involves how we act toward others - not giving one person a favorable position over another. Recently the Supreme Court made a decision on affirmative action - which was intended to correct injustices in the past. Their argument seemed to be that people should be judged on the merits of their character and ability and not on the color of their skin. Equity can try to write past wrongs, but equity seems to work best when it views everyone involved based on fixed abilities/standards. It seems to work best when it views everyone as created in God’s image and worthy of a place at the table.

These opening verses also help us to see that we should pursue wisdom for…

Prudence - Solomon seems to speak to what is practical and livable. Solomon speaks directly about the “simple” when it comes to prudence. It seems like these proverbs are designed to help the simple know exactly what to do in a given situation. Prudence provides the simple with substance that helps them leave their naïveté behind.

Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”

Proverbs 19:25 “Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.”

The whole point is that we should pursue wisdom so that we and others can flourish in life. As Ray Ortlund notes God has two basic goals for us in the book of Proverbs: “One is deep character, and the other is straight thinking.”

For example, have you ever been referred to as a “hot head”? When I was a child, I had a bad temper - especially toward my brother. Even now, my temper is shortest with those who are closest to me. It’s not fair, just, or right - but it’s a weakness that I have to overcome. However, the wisdom found in the Proverbs help us to realize that...

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

or, rather than getting revenge...

Proverbs 25:21-22 “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”

Since all of us are different, as I would guess that all of Solomon’s children were different, we need to hear truth, instruction, wisdom in different ways. These opening verses help us to ask and answer the question...

How do the proverbs communicate wisdom? (6)

Proverbs 1:6 NET

To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.

The book of proverbs seems to be organized among the following categories (Atkinson):

proverbs - short, pithy statements, observations, or truths that are designed to be memorable. These two line statements make up most of the book.

parables - short stories or illustrations that communicate a truth. There are not many of these, but the calls of wisdom and folly in Proverbs 9 and the warning against adultery in Proverbs 7 both provide vivid illustrations of the value of wisdom.

sayings - these seem to be extended statements that help the reader/listener understand the value of a life lived as a result of wise counsel. Prov. 24:13-14 “My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Riddles - These are statements that seem to evoke extended meditation. For example - Proverbs 30:18-19 “Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a virgin.”

Just as we all may give and receive love differently, so to it is with wisdom - we need to hear and learn wisdom’s lessons differently.

Ultimately, this brings us to the final question that these opening verses ask and answer...

What is the source of wisdom? (7)

Ultimately the source of wisdom is God...

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

David Atkinson notes in his commentary that the beginning of wisdom is not a launching point and something to grow beyond, but rather, something to be grounded within.

Fearing or revering God carries with it a sense of awe and wonder - a sense of reverent submission.

The ESV Study Bible notes that “the quest for wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.”

Wisdom that is derived from God finds its origin in the author, creator, initiator of all things. It does not waver based on changing whims of our society, but is rooted deeply in the authors original intent.

Conclusion:

The Story of Scripture:

God’s intention - perfection, flourishing, communion

Humanity’s corruption - willful rebellion - passed on from one generation to the next (for all have sinned - Rom. 3:23) - this stains every decision - every outcome - every intention It’s as though our corruption takes the firm standard that God intended and places it on the waves of the ocean - no fixed point. Wisdom of the world is so marred by sin’s corruption that it can’t help but be inconsistent and unstable.

God’s Correction - the cross - God eternally overcomes our sin and gradually helps us return to lives that are marked by his wisdom, word, etc.

Our hope - one day, there will be a time when Jesus will return. There will be a day of judgment to adjudicate for our sinful actions/intentions, etc. Those who are marked by the blood of Jesus - who have wilfully submitted their lives to his sacrifice will be justified - he meets our standard, he is our righteousness. For those who don’t, you’ll have to stand before his level standard with your crooked actions.

Turn and trust in him.

Beloved - let’s continually submit to His ways and pursue wisdom from God.. Let’s not be swayed by the shifting whims of society and culture.

I began by talking about the argument about being on the right side of history. I would argue that since history is ultimately His-story - God’s story - that in order to be on the right side of it, we have to be on His side of it. He has revealed his side in His word - let’s humble ourselves before his word, his way, and his will in order to flourish and lead others to flourish in ways that that the creator intended. Let us pursue His wisdom.

Let’s pray.

Benediction:

Proverbs 3:13–14 ESV

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

Sources:

Atkinson, David. The Message of Proverbs, J.A. Moyter Series editor. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1996

Buzzell, Sid S. “Proverbs.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Henry, Matthew, and Thomas Scott. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997.

Newheiser, Jim. Opening up Proverbs. Opening Up Commentary. Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008.

Ortlund, Raymond C., Jr. Preaching the Word: Proverbs—Wisdom That Works. Edited by R. Kent Hughes. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Skillful. “Be” Commentary Series. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996.