Wisdom Is Heavenly Knowledge

By Barry N. Shaw

Wisdom is understanding what is true, right or wrong, and enduring. Wisdom is heavenly knowledge. Without God, there is no wisdom. “For the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 The Apostle James wrote: James 1:5 It is the Word of God that tells us that to have wisdom about any given issue or thing, we are to pray to Him, consult His Word, and seek His guidance for righteous knowledge and understanding: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

There are many illustrations of this principle in the Scriptures. Solomon, the wisest of the kings of Israel, had a loving reverence for the Lord and a keen willingness to submit to His Lordship and the commands of His Word. He concluded that “...fear [reverence] of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

One night: “the Lord appeared to Solomon...in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’” 1 Kings 3:5 Solomon, being “wiser than any other man” 1 Kings 4:31 “prayed not for long life or wealth...but for discernment in administering justice...” 1 Kings 3:11 He prayed: “...give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” 1 Kings 3:9 “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this...and said to him...‘I will give you a wise and discerning heart...[and] what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. I will give you a long life.’” 1 Kings 3:10-14 “Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East...” 1 Kings 4:30 His wisdom was founded on his unconditional trust in the Lord. With heavenly knowledge Solomon wrote the greatest Proverb: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Jehoshaphat was another good and wise king of Israel who loved the Lord and sought His wisdom in all things. Jehoshaphat faced a menacing army of Moabites and Ammonites whose aim was to destroy Israel. Looking to God for an answer to the overwhelming odds against him, Jehoshaphat proclaimed that there was to be a nationwide fast. He exhorted the people to pray to the Lord for guidance and protection in the face of the terrible danger confronting them. 2 Chronicles 20:2-3. While in prayer, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, one of the Levite priests serving in the Temple. The Lord spoke words of encouragement and reassurance to Jahaziel: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s...Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17. The next morning, as the enemies of Israel marched upon them, the Lord set ambushes against the aggressors. When the Israelites reached the place where the battle was to be joined, they found only dead bodies—no one had escaped. “The fear of the Lord came upon all the kingdoms...when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.” 2 Chronicles 20:29-30.

The Apostle Paul wrote often of the infinite knowledge and wisdom of God. You can hear his exuberance in describing the extent and depth of God’s boundless wisdom: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” Romans 11:33-36. You can almost picture Paul jumping with joy!

So, dear saints, seek the Lord’s heavenly knowledge in all situations in life. If we trust in Him and lean not on our own understanding, He will impart to us His great wisdom, our paths will be straight and we shall have great joy!

Barry N. Shaw writes from Applegate Valley, Oregon