Cart 0
When it comes to wisdom, a lot of us tend to think of the ancient philosophers and wise men of Greece. Yet, “Six hundred years before Socrates, Plato, or Aristotle, [the Jewish king] Solomon wrote three thousand proverbs” —513 of which were included in the Biblical book of Proverbs. According to the Bible, Solomon was wiser than all men past and present. And his wisdom would have most certainly exceeded these later Greek philosophers by leaps and bounds. So what was his secret? Actually, it wasn’t a what but a who. When Solomon became king over Israel, he asked the LORD God for wisdom to govern the kingdom. And God granted his request. As 1 Kings 4:29-31 records:
“And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men…and his fame was in all surrounding nations.”
If we desire wisdom like Solomon’s (who wouldn’t?), we don’t need to turn to ancient Greek philosophers. Instead, we should turn to the very source of wisdom (and life) itself: God who also gave us His Word, the Bible, which He breathed out. As Paul the Apostle declared in his second letter to Timothy: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17) And James says that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
But as John MacArthur pointed out, this wisdom James and the other Biblical writers are talking about “was not a wisdom of philosophical speculation, but the wisdom contained in the pure and peaceable absolutes of God’s will revealed in His Word (cf. 3:13, 17) and lived out. Only such divine wisdom enables believers to be joyous and submissive in the trials of life.” Similarly, Bible scholar Sid Buzzel explains the difference between worldly wisdom and the Godly wisdom that the Bible (and particularly the Book of Proverbs) promote. He says, “Many ancient cultures…had wisdom writings…. Though the Book of Proverbs is somewhat similar to that literature, the wisdom promoted in Proverbs contains an element not found in those works. Wisdom in Proverbs includes practical sagacity, mental acumen, and functional skill, but it also includes moral, upright living which stems from a right relationship to the Lord. The statement “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (9:10) makes the Hebrew concept of wisdom unique. (Cf. 14:16, “A wise man fears the LORD.” Also note 1:7; 15:33; Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10). To be wise in the biblical sense one must begin with a proper relationship to God. To fear the Lord means to respect Him for who He is and to respond to Him in trust, worship, obedience, and service. If God is not honored and His Word not followed, then wisdom, as the Hebrew sages defined it, can never be attained.”
Thus, true wisdom and life is found in God and God alone.
Ryan Hembree is a daily co-host, speaker, and writer of Bible Discovery. He also hosts a YouTube channel that shows the unity of the Bible and how science and Scripture fit together. Ryan also has an honorary Masters of Ministry in Creation Science from Phoenix University of Theology.
[1] Ron Hembree, NIV Quick Study Bible, Proverbs: An Ancient Poor Richard, P.809.
[2] John MacArthur, NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition, Note on James 1:5.
[3] Sid S. Buzzell, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, Proverbs, P.902, John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck general editors.
