January 21, 2011
Wisdom → Understanding. A few years ago I started a study to discover the differences between wisdom and understanding. Proverbs makes it very clear that wisdom and understanding are two very separate things. This same theme of wisdom and understanding is throughout the entire Bible. Here in Job 28, God answers my question about the differences.
Job starts out with what "wisdom" is not. It isn't wealth. You cannot attain it by mining for gold or treasure. It's not in the deep ocean and it's not in the sky. Wisdom cannot be brought with gold, even the finest gold. So where can wisdom be found? Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live?
Job 28:23 - "Only God understands the way to wisdom, and he alone knows where it lives."
Job 28:28 - "Then he (God) said to humans, "The fear of the LORD is wisdom; to stay away from evil is understanding."
Wow! There is the answer. You cannot obtain true wisdom unless you understand who God is. When you know God, you "fear" him. Not "fear" as in scared of being zapped by a mean and punishing angry God. No, not at all. "Fear" as in being in awe of who God is. Understanding you only possess one small grain of sand in your comprehension of the majesty of who THE LORD is while you also realize that all the grains of sand in the world would still not be enough to fully describe God.
Job 28:28 - "The fear of the LORD..."
Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
Isaiah 33:6 - "The fear of the LORD is the key to the treasure (wisdom)."
So wisdom is clearly God-given in response to our "fear." Wisdom is God's. He can only give it to us when we are surrendered to Him. Wisdom you get from God. "Understanding or knowledge" is what you do with the wisdom God gives you. Job 28:28 - "..to stay away from evil is understanding." In other words—DO! Do what you have learned and stay away from evil. Do what I (God) have shown you. I could fill the pages of this book with what God calls evil. Not what I have decided is evil but what God has clearly said is evil. Understanding.
Understanding is following the wisdom that God gives you when you fear Him.
Proverbs 2:2–11 - "Listen carefully to wisdom; set your mind on understanding. Cry out for wisdom, and beg for understanding. Search for it like silver and hunt for it like hidden treasure. Then you will understand respect for the LORD, and you will find you know God. Only the LORD gives wisdom; he gives knowledge and understanding. He stores up wisdom for those who are honest. Like a shield he protects the innocent. He makes sure that justice is done, and he protects those who are loyal to him. Then you will understand what is honest and fair and what is good and right to do. Wisdom will come into your mind, and knowledge will be pleasing to you. Good sense will protect you; understanding will guard you."
Proverbs 3:5–6 - "Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success."
Addendum: 12/30/14 ~ Proverbs 2:7–8 - "Like a shield he protects the innocent. He makes sure that justice is done, and he protects those who are loyal to him." Psalm 140:12–13 - I KNOW the LORD secures justice for the poor (makes sure that justice is done) and upholds the cause of the needy (protects the innocent). Surely the righteousness will praise his name and the upright (those who are loyal to Him) will praise HIS name.
Amazing promises. HE will protect us from "the storm."
Next Entry: Job 29:1 – 31:40
Wisdom → Understanding. A few years ago I started a study to discover the differences between wisdom and understanding. Proverbs makes it very clear that wisdom and understanding are two very separate things. This same theme of wisdom and understanding is throughout the entire Bible. Here in Job 28, God answers my question about the differences.
Job starts out with what "wisdom" is not. It isn't wealth. You cannot attain it by mining for gold or treasure. It's not in the deep ocean and it's not in the sky. Wisdom cannot be brought with gold, even the finest gold. So where can wisdom be found? Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live?
Job 28:23 - "Only God understands the way to wisdom, and he alone knows where it lives."
Job 28:28 - "Then he (God) said to humans, "The fear of the LORD is wisdom; to stay away from evil is understanding."
Wow! There is the answer. You cannot obtain true wisdom unless you understand who God is. When you know God, you "fear" him. Not "fear" as in scared of being zapped by a mean and punishing angry God. No, not at all. "Fear" as in being in awe of who God is. Understanding you only possess one small grain of sand in your comprehension of the majesty of who THE LORD is while you also realize that all the grains of sand in the world would still not be enough to fully describe God.
Job 28:28 - "The fear of the LORD..."
Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
Isaiah 33:6 - "The fear of the LORD is the key to the treasure (wisdom)."
So wisdom is clearly God-given in response to our "fear." Wisdom is God's. He can only give it to us when we are surrendered to Him. Wisdom you get from God. "Understanding or knowledge" is what you do with the wisdom God gives you. Job 28:28 - "..to stay away from evil is understanding." In other words—DO! Do what you have learned and stay away from evil. Do what I (God) have shown you. I could fill the pages of this book with what God calls evil. Not what I have decided is evil but what God has clearly said is evil. Understanding.
Understanding is following the wisdom that God gives you when you fear Him.
Proverbs 2:2–11 - "Listen carefully to wisdom; set your mind on understanding. Cry out for wisdom, and beg for understanding. Search for it like silver and hunt for it like hidden treasure. Then you will understand respect for the LORD, and you will find you know God. Only the LORD gives wisdom; he gives knowledge and understanding. He stores up wisdom for those who are honest. Like a shield he protects the innocent. He makes sure that justice is done, and he protects those who are loyal to him. Then you will understand what is honest and fair and what is good and right to do. Wisdom will come into your mind, and knowledge will be pleasing to you. Good sense will protect you; understanding will guard you."
Proverbs 3:5–6 - "Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success."
Addendum: 12/30/14 ~ Proverbs 2:7–8 - "Like a shield he protects the innocent. He makes sure that justice is done, and he protects those who are loyal to him." Psalm 140:12–13 - I KNOW the LORD secures justice for the poor (makes sure that justice is done) and upholds the cause of the needy (protects the innocent). Surely the righteousness will praise his name and the upright (those who are loyal to Him) will praise HIS name.
Amazing promises. HE will protect us from "the storm."
Next Entry: Job 29:1 – 31:40
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