Concerning wisdom and knowledge, who would be the
wisest of the wise? Is there a wisdom
that surpasses all other wisdom? If so, would it be in the field of science;
history; medicine, or law? I believe
that there is a wisdom that exceeds all of these; and that is wisdom of how to
be saved from sin.
2nd Timothy 3:14-15- “But as for you,
continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom
you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred
writings, which are able to make you wise
unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
So knowledge of salvation AND our purpose in life
are two of the most important things to know.
Eccl. 12:13-14 is a good reference for both points.
“Fear God and keep His commandments; for this
is the whole duty of man. For
God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it
be good, or whether it be evil.”
To know why we’re here and what we are supposed to
be doing with our life is of the utmost importance. Once we have this knowledge, should we not
strive to fulfill our purpose to the best of our ability?
Solomon recognized the value of God’s wisdom early
in his life. This is why he asked for this
wisdom in 1st Kings 3:5-14. He
realized what his purpose was, and knew that an “understanding mind to govern the
people” and the knowledge to “discern between good and evil” were needed
rather than “riches or the life of your enemies”. Without this knowledge, both of these would
be to his ruin.
This wisdom would come thru the commandments given
from God thru Moses. Moses had stated
the criteria and responsibilities for the kings in Deut. 17:18-20. Each king had the personal responsibility to
exercise himself in godliness after this manner to ensure his personal welfare and
the nation’s prosperity. We can easily attribute Solomon’s (and our) downfall
to a failure in these areas. An
understanding heart and faithfulness are not a one-time-prayer effort, but an
ongoing lifestyle, disciplined after these principles. Moses’ commands for each king were:
“...when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he
shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the
Levitical priests. And it shall be with him,
and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to
fear the Lord his God by
keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that
his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not
turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so
that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.”
Thus we see the value of bible study and meditation
upon God’s word as well as prayer, in order to be “wise unto salvation”. Therefore, a wise person will seek out these
commandments.
- David, a man after God’s own heart said in Psa.
39:4, "O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my
days; let me know how fleeting I am!”
- Moses also said in Psa.
90:12 - “…teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
We need to do the same. We’re here to serve God, and we need wisdom to
do that. We’re told in Eccl. 8:5, “Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will
know the proper time and the just way.”
POINT:
Knowing the proper time and procedure, is connected to obedience. (i.e., ‘keeping commandments’)
HOW
does GOD “make” us to know? How has
GOD taught man?
Thru paying attention to what you hear (Mark 4:24 – “Take heed what ye hear”); and how
you hear it (Luke 8:18 – “Take heed
therefore how ye hear”).
WHAT we do w/that which we hear taught is the point;
(i.e., how we use our knowledge of salvation)
In James 4:14, a question is both asked and
answered: “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time
and then vanishes.”
We need to consider this.
Since God created us, so many things have come and
gone in this life to where our time on earth is like a millimeter in a mile. We
have to think, what are we doing with our time? It is so important for us to realize the high
value of our time. I see people dying
young, being stricken with diseases and I have to realize that God has given me
my safety and life. But for what
reason? Thinking back on Ecclesiastes, I
know I’m here to serve Him. If I have my
life (which is very precious and sacred); I need to view wisdom as dear and precious
as Moses, David, Solomon, and the other faithful characters did, and diligently
seek the wisdom that they sought.
In James 1: 5, I find that if I really desire this
wisdom, I can have it, if I seek it in the right way. James wrote, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Let me encourage all to seek God for this wisdom,
and your life will be lived as God intended... “FEARING HIM & KEEPING HIS
COMMANDMENTS”
For the end/conclusion:
In the song: “Just After Death...What Then?” we see the reason why this
wisdom excels all other wisdom – THE REWARD OF AN ETERNITY IN HEAVEN!
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