Blog Outline

In 52 brief snapshots we will try to paint a picture of Jesus as hinted at, indicated, outlined and glimpsed in the Old Testament. We will not be providing a comprehensive study but we hope it will be both accessible and helpful to you and serve to deepen both your understanding of, and relationship with, the greatest man who ever lived.

Wednesday 27 July 2016

Wisdom and Knowledge

Proverbs 2:1-15

The book of Proverbs begins with Solomon describing the purposes of his collection of proverbs. These purposes include: to know wisdom and instruction, to give prudence, knowledge and discretion and to increase in learning (1:1-6). However, as the wisest man who ever lived (see Solomon’s Wisdom) he said, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ (1:7). Linking wisdom and knowledge to one’s relationship with God rather than viewing it as an intellectual pursuit is one of the key themes of Proverbs.

Chapter 2 of Proverbs describes the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge as the pursuit of God Himself: ‘If you seek her [wisdom] as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God’ (vv4,5). Wisdom is something to be treasured (v1), cried out for (v3) and sought after (v4). The pursuit of wisdom will affect your hearing (v2), heart (v2), voice (v3) and eyes (v4). Wisdom and knowledge will do you good on the inside with it both entering your heart and being pleasant to your soul (v10).

However, you can’t help but feel as you read through this chapter and the book that this wisdom and knowledge seems to be somehow attainable and yet remain elusive at the same time.
As with so many things, wisdom and knowledge finally become most clearly defined when seen in Jesus, ‘in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (Colossians 2:2,3). Our pursuit, then of true wisdom and knowledge boils down to our pursuit of Jesus. It is because of this that we can pray with Paul, ‘that we may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord…bearing fruit…and increasing in the knowledge of God’ (Colossians 1:9,10).

The pursuit and possession of Christ-like wisdom will cause us to increasingly reflect Him.

Further reading:     Colossians 1:9-12     Colossians 2:1-7

Worship Video:

To think about:
How would you summarise your current walk with Jesus? Are you being ‘filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding’? What does this look like in your life?

Creative response:
Journal page by Bernice


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