Doth Not Wisdom Cry?

Sometimes the KJV is just better than anything else in English ("Doth not wisdom cry?" (Prov 8.1 KJV), and this is one of those times. Compare the ESV: "Does not wisdom call?" The ESV is bland and boring; the KJV is majestic.

Just saying.

The question in Prov 8.1 is a rhetorical one. Solomon means for us to answer it yes, and for the rest of the chapter explains why wisdom cries and to whom. I think that there is no better place in the Scriptures where the truth and implications of wisdom are worked out. One would be wise (no pun intended) to spend a lot of time thinking through the implications of what Solomon says here.

Perhaps the most shocking thing that Solomon writes is at the very end of the chapter. "All they that hate me (wisdom) love death" (Prov 8.36, KJV).

Where Shall Wisdom be Found?

Job asks his three friends—or perhaps asks rhetorically—in Job 28.12: "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?" (KJV). He does not leave us hanging. He answers the question. In 28.23,24, he points out that God knows where wisdom is found. In 28.28, he answers the question that he poses in 28.12 and again in 28.20. Where is wisdom to be found? "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom," answers Job, "and to depart from evil is understanding."

Job sets two prerequisites for finding wisdom. First, wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord. In other words, if you do not fear the Lord, if you do not stand before him with awe and reverence, then you will not, indeed cannot find wisdom. This is why a simple follower of Christ can have more wisdom than a man with great education and training. Second, finding wisdom is integrally related to departing from evil. One cannot live an immoral life, with a general acceptance of evil, and be wise. This is impossible. There is something about evil that blocks us from finding wisdom.

In this fact we differ from the rest of society who looks at a leader in society who has, for instance, cheated on his wife, and says, "that is his private life. What difference does that make to us?" According to Job, it makes a great deal of difference, because a man who lives comfortably with evil is a man who cannot find true wisdom. A nation that is led by such a man is bound to experience difficulty.

Wisdom and Self

Never be wise in your own sight, says Paul in Romans 13.16. What do you suppose he means by that? It's kind of like humility, I suppose, if you're thinking that you're humble, you're not. Ironically, enough, just before this statement Paul says: Do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Perhaps humility and wisdom are linked in that way. Think you have it? Think you're wise? Think you're humble? You're not.

Wisdom, like humility, is other-directed; outward-directed. Dedicated to the aid of those whom God puts in one's path.

In Demonstration of the Spirit and Power

In 1 Corinthians 2.4 this morning. Paul made a deliberate decision not to present the gospel in a way that accorded with what the Greeks perceived as human wisdom and eloquence (he was smart enough that he certainly could have). Rather, Paul decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. This ensured that the results that came would be by way of the Holy Spirit and demonstrate God's power.

The obvious question for us is: "Do we do the same in our presentation of the gospel and in our lives?" It is rather easy to allow worldly thinking and arguments into our lives in a vain attempt to "get results." Paul consciously rejected this approach. The message was Jesus Christ and him crucified. Always.