Putting the I into WISDOM
The Christians who have most influenced me for good have had a fully functional familiarity with the book of Proverbs. They were (and are) able to take their considerable knowledge and apply it to their lives, providing both godly examples and godly advice. Join with me as each one of us endeavors to put the I into WISDOM. Let us seek to exemplify God’s wisdom in our daily lives. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
As we studied yesterday, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). The writer of this verse, Solomon, certainly began well, asking for wisdom from God and receiving it in abundance (I Kings 3:4-15). However, as he grew older, Solomon did not grow wiser. Rather, a sad spiritual declension set in. His multiple marriages (in defiance of Genesis 2:24 and Deuteronomy 17:17) were political, cementing alliances; they seemed expedient at the time. However, Solomon fell under the influence of his pagan wives (and concubines – I have always wondered how he found the time to marry 700 wives but not his 300 concubines) and degenerated into idolatry. He also ceased to trust God militarily, putting his hope in horses and chariots (in contravention of Deuteronomy 17:16 and 20:1-4). His extreme obsession with wealth also violated the direct command of Deuteronomy 17:17: “neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.” We know that the tug of the world is more like a tug-of-war – a spiritual war. Thus, we know that we could fail and fall as Solomon did. Remembering and following one verse would have kept him from decline. Proverbs 9:10, written by Solomon himself, says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” “Beginning” here is a different Hebrew word from Proverbs 1:7; it means the “principal point” or the “prerequisite.” Thus, we must start with fear and continue in fear. We can start strongly but ultimately lose our spiritual sense and strength. May “the knowledge of the Holy” be our desire and focus.