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Friday, February 3, 2012

Topic Study - Wisdom

 Wisdom is defined by the Merrian-Webster dictionary like this. I was going to copy paste it in, but the copy-pasting wouldn't cooperate. So I've just given you the link.

Now what does the bible have to say about wisdom. Let me do my search on e-sword, using the words 'wise' and 'wisdom,' then weed through the 400+ verses it pulls up.

(Exo 23:8)  And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
      According to Strong's the word here translated wise is piqqêach, it means to be clear sighted; figuratively intelligent. It is also translated seeing. Therefore, a wise person is clear sighted. And gifts - which is here talking about bribes - can obscure one's clear sight.


(2Ch 1:10)  Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
      This is where Solomon is asking God for wisdom. The word here is chokmâh, which means, simply, wisdom (in a good sense) and is also translated skillful, wisely, or wit. We need to ask God for wisdom - and wisdom for our leaders.

(Job 28:18)  No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. 
       The word used here is again chokmâh. There are a lot of verses that compare the worth of wisdom to the riches of this world, but I like this one. Let's not even talk about coral or pearls - Wisdom is more valuable than rubies! All you had to do to get coral and pearls was dive into the ocean. But you had to dive into the EARTH to get rubies. And Wisdom is even more valuable - so dive into God's word and get it!

(Psa 37:30)  The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
      Once more, the word is chokmâh. This is saying that a righteous man is wise.

(Psa 94:8)  Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 
       The word here is śâkal, which means  to be (causeatively make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent. It is also translated consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent (-ly), (give) skill (-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand (-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise (-ly), and guide wittingly. Fools are people who don't have wisdom. We don't want to be like that. We need to get wisdom.

(Psa 107:43)  Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. 
       The passage leading up to this verse talks about all the things God does in this world (and barely makes a dent, I can assure you!). The word used is châkâm, which comes from the same root as chokmâh, and means wise, (that is, intelligent, skilful or artful), and is also translated as cunning (man), subtil, ([un-]), wise ([hearted], man). Therefore, if you are wise, you will look at, and notice all the things that God does - and give him the credit. 

(Psa 111:10)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
     The word here is once more chokmâh. This verse says that in order to get wisdom, we have to fear God, and follow his commandments.
A similar verse is (Pro 1:7):  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

(Pro 1:5)  A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 
     The word here is châkâm. A wise man is not afraid to learn new things.

(Pro 1:20)  Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 
     The word used here is chokmôth  chakmôth, which is a personification of wisdom, which is considered female. Wisdom is looking for us!

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