e199 Part 2 – Wisdom for Your Witness Is Not a Random Gift (why wisdom costs us everything)

This is Faith to Witness 99, motivating us to hear God and share the Shepherd. 

Season 3 Episode 199 Part 2 – Wisdom for Your Witness Is Not a Random Gift (why wisdom costs us everything)

Here’s the gist, human. I am all in on seeking wisdom. Being chased by spiritual conviction about this sure improves my commitment to it… coupled with God’s Word. Plenty of his Word in this episode because the truth works on shaping a discerning heart in each of us. Every word, every verse. Join us as we work our way to why wisdom will cost us everything. 

Because when we seek wisdom we are pursuing a life lived deep within God’s character. And, although he brings discernment one thought at a time, one decision in a moment, one reflection in our past, we can embrace the nature of his wisdom through obedience, and, through something as simple as a walk through his creation. 

And seeking the mystery of his Son. 

Colossians 2:2-3

2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

E199

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Solomon became king at about age 20. 

He went to Gibeon to offer a thousand burnt offerings on the most important high place. 

God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Solomon asked God for this: 1 Kings 3, verse 9 “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

What was God’s response? The longer response?

1 Kings: 3:10-15

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.

Solomon asked for a discerning heart, so God gave him wisdom. Wisdom lives in a discerning heart. God also gave him what he did not ask for. Earthly provisions and a long life, contingent upon obedience.

King Solomon talks about wisdom throughout the book of Proverbs. He states in chapter one that wisdom is his purpose, and that those who are discerning will receive guidance. Wisdom is not a random gift. It is not random for the giver or the receiver. God did not grant King Solomon immeasurable wisdom and insights on a spirt-whim. 

I’m Kathryn Bise, your host.

King Solomon has already shown us where to get wisdom. 

Proverbs 2:6

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

From God’s mouth, his Word, comes wisdom. Solomon says: Get it. At any cost.

But what does this mean, and how does God manifest it in our lives, in our decisions, in our judgements, in forming within us a discerning heart?

And why does it cost all we have? In e198 (pod.link/1648558274)

said that this is not a rhetorical question. That I didn’t know the answer. But I know this: Wisdom for your witness is not a random gift. Solomon was not foolish in his ways. He was full with worship, and he loved the Lord by walking as his father David had instructed him. He was this before he asked God for a discerning heart.

 

Wisdom Has Great Benefits Worth Witnessing About

What does King Solomon tell us the benefits of wisdom are in Proverbs Chapter 4?

Protection, exaltation, honor, a long life, straight paths, unhampered steps, no stumbling.  

How does King Solomon define what makes up good “heart soil” for wisdom to grow?

1. Guard your heart.
2. Distance yourself from corrupt talk.
3. Look straight ahead.
4. Give careful thought to your paths.
5. Be steadfast.
6. Keep your focus on your path. 

In verse 7, we are given an initial directive. Get wisdom.

Proverbs 4:7

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

How Does Wisdom Reveal Itself?

As a reminder, according to the Topical Lexicon, wisdom, the Hebrew word, חָכְמָה (chokmah) is the comprehensive, God-centered quality of mind and life that discerns what is truly right and acts accordingly. I promised to return to how wisdom reveals itself through God in this episode. And that’s the part I want to return to. This is all just an opening into a much longer pursuit of wisdom—remember it is used 149 times in the Old Testament alone. Tag this to return to human. Pursuing deeper knowledge of God’s wisdom will yield spiritual growth. 

The Topical Lexicon describes wisdom in several areas. Though we do not have time here, there are many ways wisdom is the vessel:  through how God grants it to humanity, through skill and craftsmanship, through governance and leadership, through literature and through the power of the Toah to uphold God’s covenant.  

And the two I want to consider today that define how God’s wisdom is manifested.

1. Wisdom as Divine Attribute

Scripture first grounds all true wisdom in the character of God. 

Job 12:13 With Him are wisdom and strength; Job 12:16 counsel and understanding belong to Him; Job 28:23 divine wisdom is eternal, inscrutable; Psalm 104:24 righteous; and Isaiah 31:2 saving. 

A divine attribute because God is wise, His revelation is trustworthy, and His redemptive purposes are sure.

2. Wisdom in Creation

Wisdom is portrayed as God’s master craftsman in forming the cosmos: “The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding” (Proverbs 3:19). In Proverbs 8, wisdom speaks of being “brought forth” before the world and “rejoicing always in His presence” (Proverbs 8:30). Creation itself thus testifies that order and goodness flow from divine wisdom.

I have to ask you, human, is this not inspiring? Motivating? That when we seek wisdom we are pursuing a life lived deep within God’s character. And, although he brings discernment one thought at a time, one decision in a moment, one reflection in our past, we can embrace the nature of his wisdom through obedience, and, through something as simple as a walk through his creation. 

When your feet just feel too heavy to take the next step, confused about your direction, take a walk through our Creator’s creation. 

And seeking the mystery of his Son. I am helping plant our Heavenly Father’s truth seeds here, from what I have been pondering since I read this scriptural interpretation of wisdom. We are experts at having so many questions for God, so many requests, so many struggles, so many scenarios in which we fall short of spiritual discernment. A thousand details in every circumstance. Ten thousand words in every conversation. Festering pleas to God about what to do, when to do it, how to do it. Stumbling next steps through this earthly life with his heavenly Spirit. 

It all requires a discerning heart. A yearning for godly behavior and the peace to say, “it is well with my soul” that can only be born out of obedience. 

 

How God Bestows Well-Being through Wisdom 

God addresses this through Solomon. Consider Proverbs chapter 3. Stay with me, because our Heavenly Father is the master of revelation, in how he brings his Word to us, to work on us. I trust that what we hear today in the Word will do a good work within us. 

Let’s listen.

Proverbs 3

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

3 My son, do not forget my teaching,

    but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years

    and bring you peace and prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

    bind them around your neck,

    write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name

    in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body

    and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,

    with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

    and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,

    as a father the son he delights in.

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,

    those who gain understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver

    and yields better returns than gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies;

    nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand;

    in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways,

    and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;

    those who hold her fast will be blessed.

19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,

    by understanding he set the heavens in place;

20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,

    and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,

    preserve sound judgment and discretion;

22 they will be life for you,

    an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety,

    and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster

    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

26 for the Lord will be at your side

    and will keep your foot from being snared.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

    when it is in your power to act.

28 Do not say to your neighbor,

    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—

    when you already have it with you.

29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,

    who lives trustfully near you.

30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—

    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the violent

    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse

    but takes the upright into his confidence.

33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

    but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34 He mocks proud mockers

    but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

35 The wise inherit honor,

    but fools get only shame.

So the question I posed in e198 was this:  how does God manifest wisdom in our lives, in our decisions, in our judgements, in forming within us a discerning heart? And why does asking for wisdom cost all we have?

In Proverbs chapter 3, Solomon measures the worth of wisdom and its benefits. He also directs us to the path obedience lays down for us.

• Honor the Lord first with every blessing he provides. Every good measure in your earthly life goes to him first.
• Discipline comes by way of God’s love.
• Nothing you can desire can compare with wisdom.
• Do not let wisdom out of your sight. Preserve sound judgement and discretion. Enjoy sweet sleep. Have no fear of disaster or ruin.
• Waste no time helping your neighbor. Give what you currently have.
• Live upright to be taken into the Lord’s confidence.
• Inherit honor through humility and oppression.

 

The Measureless Wisdom of God

Gaining wisdom requires that we first inherit honor through our Savior’s humility. Throughout God’s story we hear the term “as sand on the seashore.” This metaphor is no stranger to the life of Solomon. 

1 Kings 4:29

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as  measureless as the sand on the seashore.

The apostle Paul gives God’s wisdom the ultimate, divine measure.

1 Corinthians 1:20-24

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

So, why does asking for wisdom cost all we have? Because we believe in Christ crucified. To follow him, we give our life as he did to live through him. It is the cost of the cross.

Jesus is the wisdom of God. He provides all direction. He prepares our discerning heart.

 

Our Witness Reflects the Depth of Our Relationship with Jesus

What is your next step, then? The apostle James tells us. 

James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Why do we ask for wisdom? Better said, why do we ask for wisdom beyond our own 

personal needs? Because bearing witness to Jesus in our lives is not random either. How we witness to others—how often, how passionate, how unpredictable, how full of conviction, how uncomfortable, how unpredictable, how completely glorious—is a direct reflection of how deep our relationship is with Jesus. 

This remains a mystery within each of us, doesn’t it? The ability to abide in Christ as he abides within our hearts? And how to share this glory road with someone?

Wisdom for our witness is not a random gift. It comes from the blood of the Lamb. Every choice Jesus made on earth, the discernment he embodied in his relationship with his Heavenly Father always brought him closer to his cross. Closer to his crucification. His resurrection, and his ascension. Closer to rising as the Lord who abides eternally in whosoever believes. 

Paul fully embraced this mystery, interceding for the people in Colossus, and for us, 

that we may treasure this immeasurable gift. 

Colossians 2:2-3

2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Like Solomon, we have to ask for it. Often. 

Jesus, reveal your treasures of wisdom and knowledge in my witness. Reveal your treasures of wisdom and knowledge in the witness of every person listening to this. Convict our hearts toward obedience.

Thank you Lord for your generous, discerning Spirit. 

God’s faith to your witness. Go find the one.