Get Wisdom, Get Knowledge, Get understanding
Get Wisdom, Get Knowledge, Get Understanding
Job said: “Wisdom is with aged men with long life is understanding.” Job 12 v 12
The more we grow in our Christian walk of faith, the more productive we will become as we allow the Holy Spirit to teach and lead us. As we grow in maturity, wisdom helps us to know how and when to be effective in applying knowledge, skills and the spiritual gifts that our Father God gives us, in order to have maximum impact on edifying our lives, the lives of those around us, the Church and the eternal purposes of the Kingdom of God. Employing wisdom to live our lives God’s way extends the length, quality, and effectiveness of our lives.
Having said that, it is possible to be chronologically advanced in age and yet not be wise. Job became a reflective person during the season of affliction and great loss in his life. He also said:
“The abundant in years may not be wise, nor many elders understand justice.” Job 32 v 9
King Solomon, who was the wisest king that ever lived, said:
“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who no longer knows how to take a warning.” Ecclesiastes 4 v 13
Regardless of our age it matters that we do not lose the ability to take counsel from our mentors and trusted advisers.
The application of God’s wisdom, that is knowing when to use our knowledge and skills, impacts upon our talents and our work, benefitting ourselves and others.
“Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See the Lord has called by name Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur of the tribe of Judah. And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge of all kinds of craftsmanship to design artistic works in gold, silver and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that they may be a master of every artistic craft. And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skills to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiders in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and as weavers – as artistic designers of every kind of craft” Exodus 35 v 30 – 35.
These men, although they could have been working for themselves, invested their creatives talents into the work of the Kingdom of God. They were wise in that they shared their skills and talents to develop others, who also used their new skills to glorify our Father God. Those who teach need godly wisdom as well as human wisdom because they have a responsibility for equipping the next generation to aim to be successful achievers who know how to confidently find their place and purpose within society. This should also apply to the Church. We can all mentor the next generation. Let us remember to pray for teachers and lecturers working in all levels of educating others.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22 v 6
As a learner you need to have a desire to want to accept the sound advice of others to protect and buffer your life from the consequences of making foolish choices. This starts from a position of building and maintain personal relationships with people who can speak into your life:
“My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, if you truly call out to insight and give your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2 v 1 – 5
“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do. And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” Proverbs 4 v 7
Where should we go to find these important gifts that will impact our lives for good? We go to our Father God.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity, to guard the path of justice and to protect the way of the saints.” Proverbs 2 v 6 – 8
God’s wisdom gives us the ability to apply His discernment to distinguish whether we are witnessing justice or injustice, equality, or inequality. The seat of justice requires wisdom, integrity good management and structure. It also requires the ability to listen and change to be fair and effective. We can see how this was illustrated in the life of Moses, who led the nation of Israel out of Egypt and was appointed by God to lead their spiritual wellbeing. In the Book of Exodus, we read:
“The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. When his father-in-law (Jethro) saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning until evening?” Exodus 18 v 13 – 14
Moses gave his response, but Jethro gave him wise, godly advice after making his observations:
“What you are doing is not good. Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone” Exodus 18 v 17 – 18
“Now listen to me. I will give you some sound advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. Teach them the statutes and laws and show them the way to live and the work they must do. Exodus 18 v 19 – 20
“Furthermore, select capable men from among the people – God fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.” Exodus 18 v 21
Having the wisdom to know when to delegate creates effective structures that benefit all. A wise person allows others to help them and to share their burdensome load. Jethro helped Moses create an effective four tier system to support the people and to bring justice to those that were seeking it. It also brought effective time management into Moses’ life so that he could be more available to fulfil the assignment that God had commissioned him to do. This can be our experience too if we will learn to listen. But we need to respond like Moses by being active in employing those strategies:
“If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.” Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.” Exodus 18 v 23 - 24
The ability to listen to wise counsel will bring us peace.
The same principles that Jethro gave Moses are evident in our own judicial system:
At the first tier are the Magistrate Court, the County Court, and the Family Court. At the second tier is the Crown Court, at the third tier is the Court of Appeals and at the fourth tier is the UK Supreme Court.
Every nation has its own system for addressing justice and equality. Let us continue to pray that people who fill those positions are people described by Jethro as ‘God fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain.’
King Artaxerxes of Persia gave this instruction to Ezra the scribe:
“You, Ezra according to the wisdom your God has given you are to appoint magistrates and judges who know your God’s law to govern all the people in the province west of the Euphrates River. Teach the law to anyone who does not know it.” Ezra 7 v 25
It takes wisdom to govern people. King Solomon did not ask God for riches, power of success in defeating his enemies. He asked for wisdom:
“Now grant me wisdom and knowledge so that I may lead these people, for who can judge this great people of Yours?” 2 Chronicles 1 v 10
God answered his request and gave him great riches anyway and peace in his lifetime.
Governance requires great wisdom. Wisdom requires the ability to listen and act. When Hosea was calling the nation of Israel to repent, he pointed out their error in trusting in the military alliance of other nations instead of putting their complete trust in God. He also pointed out their propensity for idolatry, but he promised them that God would bring them healing, freedom and restoration if they returned to Him wholeheartedly. But it was up to them to listen and respond. Hosea said:
“Whoever is wise let them understand these things; whoever is discerning, let them know them. For the ways of the Lord are right and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.” Hosea 14 v 9
If you lack wisdom, understanding and discernment ask God and He will give them to you. It is His faithful promise.
“He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.” Proverbs 19 v 8
Being wise also means we know when to be silent and when to speak.
“A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3 v 7
When the Jews were threatened with annihilation, Mordecai gave wise advice to Queen Esther, who acted upon it by calling for a time of prayer and fasting before going to see the King to intercede on behalf of the nation. Mordecai said:
“Do not imagine that because you are in the King’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’ house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4 v 12 – 14
Both Mordecai and Queen Esther had the ability to discern the right timing because previously Mordecai had warned her to be quiet about her heritage:
“Esther did not reveal her people or her lineage, because Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.” Esther 2 v 10
The questions to ask ourselves are does promotion impact our ability to continue to listen to wise godly advice? Do we turn away and forget how wise godly counsel benefitted our lives or do we remain humble and teachable so we can continue to hear listen, understand, and apply wisdom to everything we do?
Abigail showed no fear but exercised great wisdom in what she did with the information she learnt concerning her husband Nabal’s scornful treatment of David’s men. She had a direct and positive impact in halting David’s intent:
“Then David said to Abigail “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me this day. Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from blood shed and from avenging myself at my own hands.” 1 Samuel 25 v 32 – 33
Like Abigail, when we add godly wisdom to our words and deeds, they impact the lives of others for good.
“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.” Provers 18 v 4
Words govern by wisdom brings life!
When speaking to the Samaritan woman by the well of Sychar Jesus said to her:
“If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4 v 10
He was questioning whether she had discernment. She did! For when He explained that he had water that would become ‘a fount of water springing up to eternal life’, the woman said to Him:
“Sir! Give me this water so I will never get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” John 4 v 13 – 15
She was wise enough to discern and ask for the extraordinary. She was wise enough to discern that Jesus was no ordinary man. She was willing to put aside her presumptions and be influenced and educated by Him. She was humble and her heart was open to believe what she heard. She did not limit herself to her own experiences and understanding. She did not take offense either when Jesus said:
“You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jew. But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipper must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.” John 4 v 22 – 24
The woman said “I know the Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us” Jesus answered, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4 v 25 – 26
Her divine appointment with Jesus Christ brought her divine revelation and feet that were swift to spread the good news that would impact and bring blessings into the lives of many others. This new knowledge gave her the confidence and the wisdom to be active in sharing. She did not stagnate by keeping what she heard to herself. Instead she said:
“Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ? So, they left the town and made their way towards Jesus.” John 4 v 29
“Many of the Samaritans from the town believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony.” John 4 v 39
The wisdom of sharing our testimonies of healing, grace and miracles is that they can lead the hearts of others to accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
“And many more believed because of His message. They said to the woman, “We now believe not only because of your words, we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Saviour of the world.” John 4 v 41 – 42
The wisest decision we will ever make in this life is to believe in Jesus Christ, to receive the free gift of His Salvation, to awaken our spirit to His resurrected life and to pursue Him and His righteousness through reading and studying His Word – the Bible, talking to Him and our Father God in prayer and allowing our lies to be led by His Holy Spirit. Jesus said:
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10 v 27
Amen xxx