Trenton Bulletin 7 January 2001

King Solomon, the son of David, was a man whose wisdom and prosperity exceeded the fame spoken about him in the farthest corners of the world. Through God's wisdom and His own design, many of the words of Solomon's wisdom have been kept for all time. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon writes of the value and importance of wisdom. He had concluded in the book of Ecclesiastes that all that men seek in life was vain. The wisdom of the world, pursuit of pleasure and the attainment of riches is of no avail when compared to the command: "Fear God and keep His commandments. For this is the whole of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

As Solomon begins the book of Proverbs, he outlines seven foundations of the importance of wisdom. These seven foundations are paramount to building a life trusting in the wisdom of God. Solomon will show the need to attain wisdom and discipline in life. When one possesses wisdom from God, they have an insight that gives them knowledge beyond the wisdom of men.

Life is designed to be filled with discipline and prudence to understand relationships with one another and with God. The actions of a man of wisdom will be characterized by those things that are right, just and fair. The "simple" mind will be able to glory in the vast knowledge granted them by a communion with the Creator. The value of wisdom will also be seen in the role it plays in the lives of young people.

These seven foundations of wisdom are valuable tools for the Christian to mold his or her life in the image of Christ. We find these qualities in the life of Jesus! The teachings of the Savior were based upon a relationship with the Father and an understanding of the importance of wisdom throughout life.

#1 - ATTAIN WISDOM Men seek for many things in life but to seek the wisdom from above is the greatest blessing one can attain. To know wisdom is to know how to walk before God and men. God made man with the ability to think and reason and understand law. From the garden, man was given instructions on keeping the garden and the commands of right and wrong. The lack of wisdom led man to reject God's command and sin entered the world. To reject wisdom makes one a fool. (Proverbs 1:7)

As Christians, we must make it our aim to seek after the wisdom of the word of God. In the gradual process of time, we build strong foundations of faith and courage from the wise teachings of the Father. This wisdom will guide us in the right paths and direct our hearts in the narrow vales of life. Seeking after wisdom will bring understanding of the fear of the Lord and finding the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2) "Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. " (Proverbs 4:5)

#2 - ATTAIN DISCIPLINE Wisdom must be married to instruction or discipline. The value of wisdom is how it changes our lives to be ordered by the will of God. A disciplined child is one who has been instructed in the paths of righteousness. The result of such training lends itself to a sober life filled with humility.

Wisdom alone cannot be of any value until an understanding heart is also attained to guide the mind and heart. To know instruction brings the mind to evaluate each step in regard to God's will. Paul reflects upon this character in Ephesians 5:15-18: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit."

The Christian should seek to attain the wisdom and instruction that is from above. (James 3:17) This wisdom is received from the word of God and the power of the Spirit in the lives of those who are seeking first the kingdom of God. The result of knowing wisdom and instruction will help one to perceive the words of understanding.

#3 - UNDERSTAND WORDS OF INSIGHT The greatest challenge that we face in studying the word of God is the ability to understand all that is contained therein. The power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that even a myriad of lifetimes can never remove every thought and teaching from God's word. However, we can read and understand God's will for us. Paul told the Ephesians that what he wrote down in a few words, they could read and understand his knowledge in the mystery of Christ. (Ephesians 3:4)

Wisdom helps us understand the words of God. Through wisdom we are able to "rightly divide the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) The Christian who spends time in the word of God will find their knowledge of God increase with the study of divine truth. Throughout the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, Solomon describes the way of the man of God compared to one who is a fool and rejects the wisdom of God. The one who spends time meditating on God's law will have a greater depth of understanding and insight into His word. This will be reflected in the disciplined and prudent life.

#4 - DISCIPLINED & PRUDENT LIFE The difference between the person who rejects the wisdom of God and understands the knowledge of God will be found in their life. Solomon gives many examples of those who are lead astray by their friends, the immoral woman, the delight of wine and the pursuit of pleasure. The Christian is governed by the wisdom of God and their lives are characterized by discipline and an example of holiness.

Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:11-12, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." The knowledge of God's word brings about a life that is governed by discipline and instruction from God's will. The quality of life of the Christian is seen as one that walks in love, as children of light and walks circumspectly. (Ephesians 5)

The result of wisdom guiding the life of the Christian is to do those things that are right, just and fair!

#5 - DOING WHAT IS RIGHT The reason people do not live right is because they have not been guided by the wisdom of God. "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13) The reason people are filled with bitter envy, strife and are self-seeking is because they seek the wisdom that is earthly, sensual and demonic. (James 3:14-16)

Living by the word of God gives wisdom in living before one another in every relationship. The wisdom attained from the word of God teaches us what is right, what is fair and what is just. The character of God is right, fair and just and since God cannot lie, He is all Truth. When we seek His wisdom and the instruction of the Creator, we will find that our relationships will be according to Truth.

The wisdom of God teaches us not to lie, steal or cheat our neighbor. The result is that whatever we do will be the right thing to do. Our decisions will be fair and our actions will be just. All of this is based upon the solid foundation of the wisdom of God. These characteristics of wisdom will give prudence to the simple.

#6 - PRUDENCE TO THE SIMPLE The simple minded person is a mind that is naiveté or open-minded. The power of the wisdom of God is that it is not given for those of higher degrees of learning to understand the depths of God's will. The word of God is given in such a way that it will guide even the simplest of minds to truth.

Mark records the reception of the people to Jesus' teaching in Mark 12:37, "And the common people heard Him gladly." The wisdom of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes is the powerful message that even the simple minded can understand. Jesus said that unless one becomes like a little child, they cannot enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 18:1-5) The value of wisdom is found in the resulting action in the lives of every person who loves the law of the Lord and meditates on it daily. The wisdom of God is a very important tool for young people.

#7 - KNOWLEDGE AND DISCRETION TO THE YOUNG With all the self-help books and programs to save our young people, God gave us a book long ago that gives young people knowledge and discretion. The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are filled with the teaching of God for young people. Warnings are sounded, advice given, guidance directed and experiences recounted and the end result is to remember the Creator while they are young. (Ecclesiastes 12)

Proverbs is filled with admonitions for young people to seek after. The first nine chapters of Proverbs are directed towards the problems young people face and the solutions offered by God. Solutions are offered in how to deal with friends who would lead them astray. The importance of heeding the words of parents is emphasized. The danger of the immoral woman and the strong drink is illustrated.

The Christian young man or woman would do well to study and learn from the words of wisdom in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The wisdom gained in these studies will keep the heart from a lifetime of sorrow and regret. If a young person is to be wise, they will heed the seven foundations of wisdom given from God. "Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path." (Proverbs 2:9)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter of wisdom: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7)