What does God say about wisdom?

Prov 24:13-14, “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.”

Merriam-Webster defines wisdom as: “the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships, good sense, generally accepted belief, accumulated philosophical or scientific learning, or wise attitude.” Based on this definition, we might believe there is no single source of all wisdom. However, God disputes this assumption, Jam 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” He tells us we can always go to Him when we are seeking an answer to any question.

Now at first blush, we might consider this a rather bold and arrogant statement, however, we must first resolve the question of who God is and what He knows, before we jump to any conclusions. So, let us first exam what the Bible says about God, and then we can evaluate the truthfulness of the disputed statement:

Gen 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” In the original text, the word for “God” used in this verse is “Elohim” or “Elohiym,” which means “creator.” Apparently, the first thing He wants us to know is that He creates, Mk 10:6, “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”

Gen 16:13, “And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” In the original text, the word for “God” used in this verse is, “El Roi” or “El Roiy,” which means “God Sees.” He sees and knows everything we do. Job 33:21, “For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.”

Gen 22:14, “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.” In the original text, the word for the “place Jehovahireh” used in this verse is, “Yahwe-Yire,” which means “The Lord Will Provide.” He is the provider of all that we need. Matt 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Gen 17:1, “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” In the original text, the word for “Almighty God” used in this verse is, “El Shaddai,” “shaDay,” or “Sadday,” which means “Omnipotent.” Since, God is Almighty, He can do anything. Matt 19:26, “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

Gen 21:33, “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.” In the original text, the word for “the everlasting God” used in this verse is, “El Olam,” which means “God Everlasting.” God is telling us He is eternal; has always been, is, and will always be. Rom 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

Ex 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.” In the original text, the word for “I Am” used in this verse is “Hayah” (haw-yaw), which means “to be, or to exist.” God told Moses His name is “I Am”; apparently, God wants us to know He exists, for without this belief there is no hope of salvation. Heb 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Ex 15:26, “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” In the original text, the word for “the Lord that healeth thee” used in this verse is, “Yahwe-Rofeca” or “Yahweh-Rapha,” which means “The Lord Who Heals.” He provides healing for both the body and the soul, Matt 12:15 “But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.”

Judg 6:22, “And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face.” In the original text, the word for “God” used in this verse is, “YHWH,” “Yahwe,” “Yahweh,” and the word for “Lord” is “Adonai” or “adonay.” This is normally connotes a “Master” or a “Sovereign Ruler.” Matt 22:37, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

Judg 6:24, “Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” In the original text, the word for “Jehowahshalom” used in this verse is, “Yahwe-Salom” or “Yahweh-Shalom,” which means “The Lord Our Peace.” He is the Prince of Peace, the “Sar-Shalom.” Is 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Ps 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” In the original text, the word for “shepherd” used in this verse is, “Y’hwah roiy,” “Yaweh Ro i,” or “Yahweh-Rohi,” which means, “shepherd” or “guide.” Ps 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Jer 23:23, “Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?” In the original text, the word for “God at hand” used in this verse is “Elohey miQarov” or “Elohim qarowb,” which means “God that is near.” God is everywhere, He is always nearby, and He is part of all things. Col 1:16, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Jer 33:16, “In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.” In the original text, the word for “The Lord our righteousness” used in this verse is, “Y’hwah-tzid’qenu s” or “Yahwe-Xiokenu,” which means “The Lord Our Righteousness.” 1 Pet 1:16, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Mal 3:6, “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” In the original text, the word for “I change not” used in this verse is “shaniytiy”, or “shanah lo”, which means “immutable.” God never changes, Heb 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Rom 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” “Abba, Father” is an Aramaic utterance within the original Greek text; it is the name Jesus uses when He calls to God the “Father.” Jesus is telling us that God is our Father and Jesus will be our brother, Matt 12:50, “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

So, Who is He? He is a living, all-powerful creator, who is eternal, never changing, a loving Father, who is everywhere, sees everything, ruler of everything, completely righteous, a guide, a provider, the Prince of Peace, and the ultimate healer. And, He loves us unconditionally.

If this is all true, can we really doubt His assertion He possesses all wisdom? Oh, we could argue this is just Biblical propaganda, however, for that to hold up we would have to find some error in the wisdom He offers. My experience is quite the opposite. After reading CS Lewis’ journey along the path to find flaws in God’s wisdom, I embarked on the same journey, but found, as CS Lewis did, only truth and a healing for my soul.

Of course, we can have no dissimulation in this process, or we will have only proven we never intended to find the truth, Gal 2:11-13, “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.” Even Barnabas was lead astray by Peter’s hypocrisy.

Only an honest study of God’s Word reveals the wisdom hidden within, which then validates our hope in Jesus, Jn 4:13-14, “Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

We cannot let the lies of this world keep us from the truth. Each of us must read the Bible for ourselves, then we can discern the truthfulness of the disputed statement!

Comments, opposing opinions and suggestions for future topics are all welcome at bill@reasoningwithgod.com.