A brief definition for the biblical concept of wisdom is “the ability to make godly choices in life”[1]. The word “wisdom” is often used interchangeably with “understanding” and “insight”[2]. In the Bible, the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes are commonly classified under the category of “wisdom”, together with a number of psalms and portions of the Song of Songs[3].
Wisdom is at the centre of Israel's teaching. Psalms and Proverbs define “the fear of the Lord” as the “beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7), which is the overarching theme of Israel’s teaching based on a lifestyle drawn from God’s order that is “sewn into the fabric of His world”[4]. The “fear of the Lord” is to be understood as the knowledge of God and the reverent approach to God that is full of awe and wonder[5]. It is cognitive, affective, and volitional[6]. Firstly, it is cognitive because it requires knowing the Lord: “So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” – Colossians 1:1. Secondly, it is affective, because knowing the Lord results in standing in awe of Him and trusting in Him: “Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.” – Exodus 14:31. Finally, “the fear of the Lord” is volitional because it stimulates turning away from evil: “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.” – Proverbs 3:7; “… that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” – Job 1:1. Similar connections between “wisdom” and “the fear of the Lord” can also be found in Ecclesiastes 12:13, Job 28:28, and The Song of Solomon 2:7[7].
Ultimately, as we seek to grow spiritually in Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers us to grow in wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30), for Jesus Christ is the very incarnation of God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:2, 3). God gives wisdom generously and “without reproach” (James 1:5) to all who ask of Him. Therefore, we are to understand the wisdom writings as a “revelation of the grace of God in Christ and instruction in what our response should be to that grace”[8], rather than seeing them as a collection of legalistic principles.
Bibliography
[1] Fee, G. and Stuart, D., 2003. How to read the Bible for all its worth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, p.233. [2] Sproul, R., 2016. The Reformation study Bible. Orlando: Reformation Trust Publishing, p.1047. [3] Fee, G. and Stuart, D., 2003. How to read the Bible for all its worth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, p.233. [4] Sproul, R., 2016. The Reformation study Bible. Orlando: Reformation Trust Publishing, p.1047-1048. [5] Fee, G. and Stuart, D., 2003. How to read the Bible for all its worth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, p.236. [6] Sproul, R., 2016. The Reformation study Bible. Orlando: Reformation Trust Publishing, p.1048. [7] Ibid. [8] Ibid., 1049
