Text: Proverbs 3:13-15

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies:  and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.  

Saturday, 21^st September 2024

WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING

Text: Proverbs 3:13-15

Memory verse: Proverbs 4: 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Solomon said, "Wisdom is the principal thing," Proverbs 4:7. Wisdom is better than riches, "Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. If the mountains were pearls, if every sand of the sea was a diamond, they cannot compete with wisdom. Without wisdom, a person is like a ship without a pilot, like a truck with 45 tons of load without breaks, there is great danger of crashing into the rocks. Job sets forth the exaltation and praise of wisdom in Job 28:13,18, "The price of wisdom is above rubies." The ruby is a precious stone, transparent, of a red fiery colour. But wisdom casts a more sparkling colour than the ruby. It makes us shine as angels. No chain of bead you wear will adorn you as wisdom.

Natural wisdom is in finding out the secrets of nature. Aristotle was, by some of the ancients, called an eagle fallen from the clouds, because he had so profound an insight into the causes of things. This natural wisdom is adorning, but it is not sufficient for our salvation.  

Moral wisdom is in rejecting those things that are harmful; and choosing those things which are beneficial. This is called prudence. Knowledge without prudence may do more harm than good.

Sacred wisdom is knowing God, who is the supreme and sovereign. Greece was counted the eye of the world for wisdom, and Athens the eye of Greece; but neither of them knew God, Acts 17:23, "I found an altar with this inscription, to the unknown God." To know God, in whom is both truth and goodness, is the masterpiece of wisdom. 1 Chronicles 28:9, "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father." And this knowledge of God is through Christ. Christ is the eye glass where the face of God is seen, Colossians 1:15.

We know God rightly, when we know Him not only with a knowledge of speculation, but appropriation, Psalm 48:14, "This God is our God." This knowledge of God is the most inspiring wisdom; therefore, it is called wisdom from above, James 3:17.

But to come nearer to the wisdom of the serpent: "Be wise as serpents."

CGDS HYMN 32: SS & S 533:

TENDERLY GUIDE US, O SHEPHERD OF LOVE

1. Tenderly guide us, O Shepherd of love,

To the green pastures and waters above,

Guarding us ever by night and by day,

Never from Thee would we stray.

Refrain

Never ! . . . never ! . . .

Never ! oh, never ! for Thou art the way

Never ! . . . never ! . . .

Never from Thee would we stray.

2. What though the heavens with clouds

be o'ercast !------

Fearful the tempest, and bitter the blast!

Still with the light of Thy Word on the way,

Never from Thee would we stray.

3. Over our weakness Thy strength has

been cast;  

Keep us in meekness, Thine own till the last;

Then, safely folded, with joy we shall say,

Never from Thee would we stray.

 Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, Help me to apply knowledge to every area of my life.

2.  LORD God Almighty, grant me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Your will in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.