“Be Wise” (Proverbs 8:33)

Wisdom is a much needed concept in our day and in our lives. It seems that the word “wisdom” has become outdated – like it is an ancient word. Similar ideas like knowledge, or being smart, or being educated are more familiar, but they miss the mark of what wisdom is aiming at. Wisdom is more than head knowledge. Wisdom is more than possessing knowledge of numerous things. Wisdom is more than receiving and attaining an education. 

Wisdom starts with God. This starting place sets wisdom over and above mere intelligence. For one to be wise, he must know God. That is different from knowing about God. More specifically, one must fear God with a good, holy reverence if he is going to be wise. For this reason, we are highly intrigued about our Sunday night church series on the Proverbs. This fall semester each Sunday evening is a different speaker preaching on whichever passage in Proverbs they so choose. It’s been really good. It’s interesting!

It is interesting because this series is quite different from a normal sermon series. Most books of the Bible have themes and purposes where context matters and so each and every passage and section builds and connects with the others. The book of Proverbs is not like that. It is unique in this regard. The book of Proverbs is a big, long book of 31 chapters and over 900 verses, and for the most part each verse is its own little statement. Each individual statement is a proverb – a nugget of wise teaching and instruction. 

Not only are the Proverbs individual, but each Sunday’s message is by a different person who has selected a different Proverb to teach on. For this reason, it is fascinating. Fascinating to see who is teaching each Sunday evening and to see what is on their heart that they want to share. This makes them fresh and engaging. We have enjoyed it thus far. And we are looking forward to the upcoming messages. 

Proverbs does have a theme though, and that is wisdom. As Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10 both teach “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” God’s teaching will make us wise. God’s instruction will protect us from being foolish. More than we need more intelligence and more information, we need the wisdom that comes from God.

Proverbs 8:33 says “Hear instruction and be wise” and Proverbs 3:7 says “Be not wise in your own eyes.” 

Proverbs 2:6 says “For the Lord gives wisdom.” And in James we are encouraged “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.”

All of this from God’s word shows us that God wants to help us in this life. He wants us to learn from Him, and we can be wise. And it starts with us looking to Him. 

This is why we sing “Immortal, invisible, God only wise” as followers of Jesus Christ looking to God for wisdom!