There’s a woman in Scripture we need to get acquainted with. She’s witty, wily, winsome, intriguing, strong, pithy, goes wherever she’s invited, knocks on doors to gain entry, loves to receive attention, is straight as an arrow, really likes to talk and gives great counsel. She returns your love for her in spades. If you honor her, she’ll honor you greatly. You’ll meet her in every book in the Bible, but she especially shows her full beauty in Proverbs. Her name? Wisdom!
The definition of wisdom is understanding, insight, perception, knowledge, acumen and experience needed to make sensible decisions and judgments. It is akin to insight which is discernment, the ability to see clearly and intuitively into the nature of a complex person, subject or situation. Proverbs 7:4: “Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call insight your intimate friend.” It also rests in the heart of a person who has understanding (Pr. 14:33), that ability to perceive, comprehend and explain the meaning or the nature of somebody or something. We are told: “Be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding” (Pr. 5:1-2).
At times Wisdom is subtle, even hidden. At other times wisdom is insistent, taking “her stand” where paths meet, at the gates of the city and at doorways (Pr. 1:20-21, 8:1-3), watching for any opening to drive out foolishness, ignorance and injustice. And she offers staggering promises: “I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my works known to you” (1:23). “The one who listens to me will live in security, and will be at ease from the dread of harm” (1:33). She promises to shield, guard, preserve (2:7-9), watch over and deliver (8:11-12; 4:6), heal and refresh (3:8), give long life, riches, honor and peace (3:16-17), bring security, sweet sleep and freedom from fear (3:23-15). She will even present us with a “garland of grace” and a “crown of beauty” (4:9).
It is a wonderful thing to get to know her, so how do we do that? James has our answer (1:5-6): “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe…” That’s it. We simply come and ask our generous Father with a believing heart. 1 Corinthians 1:30 says we are in Christ and He is the wisdom of God so we can have full assurance that the needed wisdom is ours!
