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It is natural to
pursue wisdom. Most
countries around the world have their own local pieces of wisdom.
The Bible says that Jesus Himself increased in wisdom as He was growing
up. What is wisdom?
How do you get it?
The words for wisdom are used in various
ways and the same word can mean a number of different things.
For instance, if a person could interpret dreams s/he was considered wise
(Dan. 2:27; 4:6). Wisdom was also
used of someone’s skill or ability. Magicians
know and use their powerful magic and are termed and is called a “cunning
artificer” (KJV) or a “skilled enchanter (NAS) or a “clever enchanter” (NiV)
from Isaiah 3:3.
Someone may be a skillful caster of spells or enchanting ever
so wisely (Psa. 58:5). Here
“wisdom” from the Hebrew word chakam {khaw-kam'} to be wise, to be made wise, to show
oneself wise. But it can also mean
skillful, clever, or technically artistic tic, cunning, or sly.
Note that women know how to lament – a skill (Jer. 9:16-17). And the Priests know how to use the law and to falsify it .
“How
can you say, ‘We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD,’ when actually
the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since
they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have?” (NIV).
This word, translated wisdom, is often used
for a technical or artistic skill even in the art of government.
If he gets wisdom, even a poor young man can become a ruler (Ecc.4:14).
Wisdom gives ability to judge (1Kings 3:28).
When Amnon, David’s son, lusted for Tamar (David’s daughter by
another woman), his friend Jonadab was considered “subtle” (KJV) or
“clever” (NAS). This is the
same Hebrew word, “Chakam.”
It
is also used of Solomon who should be wise enough to cunningly plot the death of
Joab (1 Kings 2:6,9). It was also
used of practical wisdom or prudence (Prov. 8:12; 1:4-5).
If one gets enough wisdom it will lead to education and learning (1Kings
4:29-34). And learning about the
creation around us (Ps. 148; Prov. 30:15-33).
Wisdom also leads to rules of conduct (Prov.
6:23; 10:17; Prov. 15:24). Wisdom
leads to shunning evil and to proper ethical conduct (Prov. 14:16; Prov. 28:26;
Psa. 119:98; Psa. 19:7).
Thus wisdom leads us to a life of holiness
and a reverence for God. For the
fear of God is to turn away from evil (Prov. 9:10; Psa. 111:10; Psa. 3:7; 8:13).
It also breeds humility (Prov. 11:2; 13:10).
-- David L. Antion