In a previous article, we learned that wisdom is the skill of effectively applying the knowledge of God to concrete, real-life situations in a way that genuinely benefits oneself and others. Like Solomon, who sensed deeply his need for wisdom as he faced the task of shepherding the nation of Israel, we should also feel a measure of desperation as we consider the many responsibilities God has entrusted to us. We need wisdom to faithfully steward our work, relationships, ministry, finances, health, tangible and intangible resources, and time.
Once we recognize how badly we need wisdom, we are led to ask two questions: Where does wisdom come from, and how do we get it? Again, we turn to Solomon. The man whom God made wise will now instruct us on how to acquire this much-needed wisdom.
Solomon begins his exposition by reminding us that there is a starting point for gaining wisdom: the fear of the Lord.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Prov 1:7)
Only those who walk in the fear of the Lord can access true wisdom. This should encourage you, for wisdom is not necessarily correlated with natural intelligence. All that is required is submission of one’s mind and heart to the one true God (see also Ps 19:7).
Importantly, however, now that the Messiah has come, fear of the Lord is expressed by bowing the knee to Jesus Christ, the Lord of heaven and earth (Phil 2:10-11), the source of all wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3). Apart from Christ, any “wisdom” we stumble upon will be fleeting, unstable, and unreliable.
In Christ, however, there is an infinite storehouse of wisdom for our lives. As Christians—forgiven of our sins and indwelt by God’s Spirit—we can plunder the Old Testament for its spiritual riches. One section of Scripture that is particularly rich is Proverbs 2:1-15. Here Solomon provides us with instruction on how to procure wisdom.
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; 10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, 12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, 13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, 14 who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, 15 men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.
The Prerequisite for Wisdom
First, Solomon explains the prerequisite for wisdom. An important hinge in the passage turns on verse 5 with the word “then.” The promise that we will “understand the fear of the Lord” and “find the knowledge of God” depends on what Solomon says in verses 1-4.
What must be true of us if we expect to gain wisdom from God? We must first long for wisdom: “My son, if you receive my words, and treasure up my commandments with you” (v. 1)….If you seek for it as silver and search for it as for hidden treasures…(v. 4).” But then we must search diligently for it. True wisdom is obtained through serious effort, and this serious effort to obtain wisdom is fueled by an appetite for it. We can’t assume that we will grow in wisdom if we have no taste for it and make no effort to secure it.
The Prayer for Wisdom
Second, we must ask God for wisdom: “…yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding…” (v. 3). James echoes the teaching of this verse with a similar instruction: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). Put simply: if we want wisdom, we must pray for it. Again, however, Solomon is not recommending we offer a quiet, hesitant request, but that we “cry out” and “raise our voice” for wisdom. The dominant flavor of Proverbs 2:1-4 is passion and ardency. Wisdom comes only to those who earnestly want it and seek diligently for it.
The Place of Wisdom
Third, we need to look for wisdom in the right place. When Solomon exhorts us to search diligently for wisdom, he is not implying that we don’t know where to look. Wisdom comes from God himself: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov 2:5). Here we see that God’s Word is essential to our pursuit of wisdom. When Solomon says knowledge and understanding come from God’s mouth, he means that such knowledge and understanding comes from God’s written Word.
In Solomon’s day, this knowledge was located in the Mosaic Law—God’s written revelation to Israel. Solomon would have possessed an authorized copy of this law and been required to read it daily (Deut 17:18-20). As the king filled his mind and heart with God’s Word, prayed diligently for God to open his eyes to its truths (see also Ps 119:18), and walked in obedience, he would grow in his ability to apply it. We need to linger over the “obedience” point for a moment.
The Pattern of Wisdom
Verse 7 introduces another condition for acquiring wisdom. Yes, we must desire wisdom, earnestly seek it, ask God for it, and plunder Scripture for it. But we must also walk in a pattern of obedience to God if we want to grow in wisdom: “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity” (Prov 2:7). Just like we can’t expect to grow in wisdom if we don’t ask God for it, we can’t expect to grow in wisdom if we don’t walk in obedience to the truth we already know.
Growth in spiritual wisdom requires our obedience, as the Psalmist writes: “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts (Ps 119:100; emphasis added). God stores up sound wisdom for the upright, which means he hides it from those who walk in unrighteousness. A person may study God’s Word and ask God for wisdom, but if they are unwilling to obey what they already know, God will not bless them with greater amounts of knowledge and understanding.
That’s why it is possible to meet someone who can articulate biblical truth but whose life is marked by foolish decisions, strained relationships, career troubles, and unnecessary financial woes. They are not walking uprightly, so God is not granting them wisdom, even though they have filled their mind with God’s very Word.
The Promises of Wisdom
But for those who do desire wisdom, ask God for it, seek it in God’s Word, and walk uprightly, Solomon offers some wonderful promises. God will guard our lives (v. 8) and give us insight into the most important issues of life: “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path” (v. 9). We will taste the sweetness of wisdom as we are able to rightly judge our present circumstances, make good decisions, and enjoy the fruit of walking in the will of God (v. 10). We will be protected from sin, treacherous people, and dangerous situations (vv. 11-15).
Conclusion: The Path of Wisdom
God is ready to pour out his wisdom on his people, and he has laid out the path for receiving his lavish offer. We must first be in right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Then we must desire wisdom and cry out for it as we seek it in God’s written Word. As we walk in obedience to what God is teaching us, trusting in his willingness to give us wisdom (James 1:5-8), God will gladly open his storehouses to us.
