Proverbs 1:2 to know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight
At the age of thirty, I went on my first ever Missions trip, and it was to Honduras in Central America. During that trip, we made a visit to the Federal Prison in La Ceiba. I was terrified as we went through the huge rusty double gates and into the crowded main prison areas unaccompanied. There was such an atmosphere of intimidation and violence, you could see it in the faces of the men, and feel it in the different areas of the prison.
The guards never came into the main prison area (or if they did they came in shooting) – it was run by trustees with pickaxe handles to enforce their will. When we finally walked back out through the gates a few hours later, I cried, for myself, and for the men incarcerated. I think that day it was the first of many lessons about how God’s wisdom is related to souls and is so different from the world’s thoughts about wisdom. Wisdom will go where few dare to go and will do what few dare to do.
Wisdom is at the centre of the Book of Proverbs, it’s mentioned 46 times. The literal translation means skill in life, trade, war and spiritual things. It seems like if we have wisdom we will be set up to handle whatever life may throw at us.
These Proverbs are the writings and reflections of a man to whom God granted a sacred gift of wisdom – and Solomon saw the effects of wisdom and folly on a grand scale. This man Solomon was a King with huge responsibilities and a huge influence. Today, we can be mentored by Solomon, if we will take the time to listen and apply this wisdom. We can sidestep Solomon’s setbacks, and embrace his encouragements.
As James writes – “the wisdom from above (which) is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy”
KNOWLEDGE
Wisdom is integral with having a God-centred moral platform, and that requires time and skill to develop. At the centre of this wisdom is a moral purity in thought and action that provides Godly insights. This verse has the hint of a rhetorical question about it, as well as quiet confidence. The words in some ways call to me and in some ways challenge me. Do I know wisdom and instruction, and do I understand words of insight?
UNDERSTANDING: Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? The word used for “insight” in this verse is pronounced “biynah” in Hebrew. This word appears 38 times in the Old Testament and is translated into the English words as; understanding; insight; discerning; and, clearly. In this verse Proverbs 1:2, we pick up on the idea that insight is connected to not just hearing God’s wisdom but responding to God’s instructions.
WISDOM: what do you think of when you think of the wisdom and how is that working for you?
Strength’s Thought – “Intellection” is a beautiful Strategic Thinking Strength. Proverbs is written as the result of experiences and debate – at the very least, an internal debate. It’s from the debate that the genesis of genius is generated. If you have Intellection as a leading strength then test your own understanding, instructions, insights and wisdom as theories, make them public, be willing to uncover understanding and to discover new dimensions through debate. Be careful not to isolate your thoughts from action or yourself from others.
.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [a life-long whole-hearted search for the way of a true and full life, located in purity in mind and spirit, based on a full trust in Christ, and empowered to see accurately into self, others, and situations ]
Prayer: Father God, thank you for who you are in my life. help me please to enter in fully to a life-long search for your wisdom.
Thank you for this detailed study of the verse which talks about the purpose of Solomon’s Proverbs. Wisdom is the biggest gift I have asked the Lord to navigate my life at my difficult and victorious moments. I seek to understand more about the wisdom (in life and study) of God freely given to us. Thank you for this study. It’s beautiful- wisdom is relationship, instruction, spiritual intelligence, spirit of obedience & surrender to God’s ways, to live well and righteous and understand the meaning of life.
Powerful thoughts. Thank you so much.
This really spoke to me
“it’s my role to seek out and enquire about skill in life, trade, war, and spiritual things. This skill has a moral rather than just an intellectual property.”
Wisdom isn’t generally a word that you hear spoken of very often outside of church. We hear smart, intelligent etc but wisdom Is so much more powerful and allows us to see beyond our natural circumstances and apply gods perspective into our situations. This reminds me of the need and importance of intentionally praying for wisdom as throughout the day there are many decisions, conversations & situations that I find myself in where I should be applying more godly wisdom to. Thankyou Ps Allan
Thank you Allan. Yes-Wisdom builds the house and life!
Thank you Allan for this encouraging thought to start my day! 🙂 It’s helped me to consider how I approach the topic of wisdom and broadened my understanding of the need to invest time and skill to developing it in my life.
Thanks so much! Worldly wisdom is so different to Godly wisdom. Seeking God and trying to understand myself by being introspective and looking at the other person’s perspective by stepping into their shoes has helped me overtime.
Thank you so much for your insights and for sharing personal and practical application of God’s wisdom as they are revealed to you. You encourage us. God bless.
Great thoughts Allan. Wisdom is a most precious commodity and something to be sought after with diligence. Thankfully His Word is available to help us learn and grow and that life in its fullness is found through Jesus! Thanks for your wisdom.
Thank you Pastor Allan. Learning Godly wisdom is a lifelong search. I need wisdom most when I see the younger generations navigate their way through a troubled world. Your message has given me a deeper understanding of God’s wisdom.
Far out. What a godless pit; the inmates’ book of wisdom would be a far darker read than Solomon’s. I consider wisdom to be: knowing how to get what one requires. Intellection seems a fascinating characteristic, one that perhaps rankles a lot of people. I imagine that those with intellection are often picking apart worldviews to see how they function, and the people who hold those worldviews don’t appreciate the dismantling. Well done, Allan. I’m looking forward to the next globe-trotting instalment.
Love it! “ At the centre of this wisdom is a moral purity in thought and action that provides Godly insights.“
I have often found that the development of wisdom requires humility and challenging situations that I have had to face, either I have fallen short, handled something poorly resulting in regret, remorse and then humility which in turn has led to reflection and prayer and wiser attitudes and responses. God is the source of wisdom so it is only through Him (morally) that I can be truly and consistently wise.
I do see thinking time as work but perhaps not valued it as much as it deserves so this is a wise reminder to prioritise planning and thinking. I also need to revisit my strengths again. Thanks Allan for these daily posts. They are great devotional material.
This is amazing! This idea of righteous wisdom, not for personal gain but for a better understanding of the call of God. That Selah moment of pondering is just as important; to reflect and understand!
Love the idea of planning thinking time Allan. We live such busy lives, some of us even in this pandemic that we act in the moment so often. What great reminder to draw aside and think. Love the idea also of having a specific thing to work on today that will influence those around me. As the Message trans says “words of wisdom given to empower you!”
Thanks Pastor Allan. I feel empowered by your take on “wisdom”. Having to think on your feet on the frontline requires wisdom and foresight. I like it that we are equiped with God’s wisdom to know right from wrong.
Great word if we all had wisdom if only I had wisdom will o had made the decisions I had will I had be prosperous will I had hurt others or may them better
Will I had?
Thank God I met Him the one who knows everything the one who created everything
He is the answer
Once someone said
“All I know is that I know Nothing”
Wisdom is the key to understanding to see pass words and 7. Take action to see our God and not a book’
To understand his Love and found my way!
How many times have I failed?
Cause I didn’t understood or couldn’t speak His Love?
Plan a life have a vision plan for me or my family is all there?
Plan for now Plan for the future
Lord I thank you and Ps Allan for this word.
Blessings
Thank you Allan for this blog! Reading a bit of your story at the start was impactful and moving. My personal take aways were the Strengths thought and Business breakthrough as Intellection is one of my strengths. Thank you for the practical advice. Always love reading the word studies & I like the AUV version of this verse.
I agree with you Allan and think our Earthly definition of wisdom varies considerably to heavenly wisdom.
I think when walking in the wisdom of God and not in the wisdom of man our decisions and interactions with others would be very different.
So often we rely on the wisdom of the world to dictate our thoughts and actions when instead we should be relying on “the wisdom from above (which) is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy”
James 3:17
Crazy that one of your first ever missions was to a prison!! Thank you for this Allan. Great insight into Wisdom and Understanding. Godly wisdom definitely outdoes worldly wisdom. Praying that I will continue to pray for wisdom and understanding in all areas of my life.
oh, and great thought on “Scheduling thinking time” and making it a part of my everyday routine!
Super helpful to reflect on the purpose and incredible privilege we have ..we have access to a book purposed to impart wisdom. That we can be mentored by Solomon, if we will take time to listen and apply this wisdom and how cool that “We can sidestep Solomon’s setbacks, and embrace his encouragements.”
To know wisdom, one must surrender self (flesh) & be obedient and take instruction from Jesus our lord and trust in him and let the spirit work rather then the flesh getting in the way so he may give you many blessings from the seed you plant onto others and ourselves……….
Wisdom will go where few dare to go, and will do what few dare to do.
Powerful mate
Wisdom gives us directions to lead a life of abundant blessing when we are obedient to God’s instruction,
It also tells us of the destruction we may face if we chose to ignore His council,
This is a choice and challenge we all face in our daily lives,
The choices we make greatly impact on our families friends and love once. Being obedient to his word will lead us to enjoy life full of his promises 🙏
Allen your experiences are lessons in life not many of us will ever experience but they are so important to share . Thank you
Your thoughts just keep reinforcing ‘Time ‘. Time to develop Wisdom. A moral purity which leads us to peace , a yielding spirit , mercy for others and developing good fruit in our life .
I’m appreciating that wisdom comes with patience and time invested in Him increases our awareness of others Amen !
The thing that hit me was wisdom setting us up to handle whatever is thrown at us
Im quick to let things To let things get me just small things but if I allow myself to practice what I “preach” god has it all under control
Follow gods wisdom….it goes where few dare to go …..
Dare is for the faithful not faithless
Embrace the encouragements
Note to self wisdom a foundation on Which to build
The seed this planted in me was the wisdom required in each situation from prison to the work place to families is so vast that it is only through seeking the lord we have a chance at being equipped with wisdom to over come challanges.
The wisdom I pray for now is to lead the young men and women around me.Amen.
Ask yourself “what is the one biggest thing I could work on today that will make the biggest difference overall to my family, my organisation, and my own wellness?” This is great. Such a good reminder to take the time to think through our lives and not just let it happen to us. 🙏🏼
Praise God for the Book of Proverbs His written Word to reveal His wisdom in showing us how to walk out the destiny purposed for us in His Kingdom. This means coming to the end of self & seeking to find divine wisdom through revelation in our own & other’s experiences something which takes time & discipline & a life time of surrender to the Lord.
When I think of wisdom and how that is working for me……it means making choices that I think about first and may even take time to make. It’s about lining up my choices with God’s word and not my feelings or what other people think. In the past I have made decisions on emotion that have not ended well for me.
For me born and raise in Strong Buddhist background, when I first came to Christ I had so many questions! Without trying to understand or reason out with my own understanding I Ask God to give me wisdom through every word I read from the Bible and thought come to me reading the Bible. Searching for Godly wisdom is best way to understand Gods plans and guidance in every situation. Thank you Ps Alen for thought provoking explanation of Wisdom and Knowledge!
Love this. Challenging how the world views wisdom compared to how God views it.
I love the thought of putting aside ‘thinking time’ great thought.
Wisdom is choosing to do what is right and deciding not to go the way of doing what would cause regret. These would have to be Daily choices
Love the thought of wisdom having that moral purity in the centre in thought and action. I’ve never really thought of wisdom in that view. And “It’s from the debate that the genesis of genius is generated” for me those words are so poetic and profound.
Love the challenge to take the time to think. As I often think as I’m going or doing. But to be still, casting distractions aside is something I will definately work on.
Such a powerful message, wisdom is given to those who dare to do to thing people don’t dare to do, and go to places people don’t dare to go. This is a great challenge to think if I am wired to live a life in line with Godly wisdom.
Thank you Rachel! You are a faithful and Godly woman!
Wisdom is integral with having a God-centred moral platform – what a simple definition to the word WISDOM.
Most of the time I struggle or fail to know the difference between knowledge and wisdom is like having a sword in your hand and don’t have the training to use it.
Godly wisdom is knowing it and put it in practice which produces the fruits.
Thanks for the insight Allan.
Blessings
I remember back in bible college praying for wisdom, wanting to grow up emotionally and take my place in GOD’s ranks. GOD has been so faithful with this prayer over the years and I am so grateful for HIS grace.
This morning’s study triggered this memory of blessed reflection. Thank you !
In my early adult years, I remember sitting in a church service, the children from Sunday School had joined us for the service and were sitting at the front. The pastor asked the congregation how they would define wisdom. It wasn’t really a question, more of a thought prompt, but one child shot up his hand with an answer. In small voice of a child, this little champion defined wisdom as, “Being able to make good decisions”. As is usually the case, the innocence and simplicity of a child causes the truths they speak to cut deeper; I never forgot that answer.
Wisdom will always seek to do good, and good cannot be separated from one’s moral compass and how it frames and guides how we see the world.
I think of wisdom as “The ability to make decisions that weave together past experiences, present challenges, and future hopes, towards a morally good outcome”
Yes, I prefer the little child’s definition…