Wisdom

Tim Oakes
Aug 3, 2017
2 min read

Hello Friends,

Over the last several weeks, I have enjoyed so much our Wednesday Bible study on the book of Proverbs. As we were introduced to the book, we see that the writer (Solomon) is trying to share his wisdom with his sons. Having been a son myself as well as raising a son now, I can relate to the desire and challenges of accomplishing this in my own family.

As Solomon begins, he first of all warns against chasing after adulterous women. He makes clear such a path leads to destruction. Throughout all generations, men have faced the temptations that come from being sexual beings. However, God did not make us animals. He gave us control over our sexuality. But obviously, that doesn’t mean that it will be easy. It wasn’t easy for Solomon’s sons, it wasn’t easy for me, but it seems to me that in the culture we live in today, it’s even harder for our children. But if we look beyond the momentary pleasures that may present themselves, we see abundant evidence of the tragedy that befalls those who travel down this path.

Solomon rightly categorizes this path as foolishness. But after 7 chapters trying to explain and illustrate the foolishness of seeking after illicit sex, he is finally ready to show the contrasting way of wisdom. The way of life. The way of prosperity.

There are several key things about wisdom we learned this past week. The first is that wisdom is available. It’s not hidden. It’s not something we’re just born with. It’s something that anyone who desires can have.

It’s also something that’s beyond and before creation. In reality, wisdom is God’s way of thinking. And part of being created in God’s image is that we can partake in the wisdom of God. His wisdom is revealed in His Word and in His world. But we must take time to observe, study, think through the things we see, hear, and experience. And elsewhere, James reminds us that anyone who lacks wisdom can ask of God and He will give it to them.

Then Solomon shows the benefit of wisdom is that we think before we act (prudence). We consider what we’re about to do and the possible consequences before rashly acting without thinking. It is so tempting to act on emotion in the spur of the moment. But how often have we done things we later regretted because we didn’t take time to think first?

Here’s trusting that we’ll all grow wiser as we study God’s book of wisdom, Proverbs.