These days call for wisdom. In this information age, where almost all forms of knowledge and information is at our fingertips, there is still a need for a higher level of understanding. Even with all the barrage of data, worldly enlightenment will never be enough in light of eternal things.
Proverbs 3, a highly-read passage in the Scriptures, aims to guide readers towards doing the right thing. It encourages readers to consider what they are pursuing so that they may do right by others and, most of all, by God. On the surface, this is what the chapter seems to teach us. But a closer look will lead us to something more profound.
Pursue wisdom
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.”
—Proverbs 3:13-15
In this passage, wisdom is personified. Solomon, who is believed to be the writer of this chapter, describes wisdom as better than the finest jewels on this earth. Even in our time, having all these jewels would make a person rich and put them in a higher position among social circles.
To take it up a notch, the renowned ruler says that happiness is waiting for those who find wisdom—that nothing compares to it. Wisdom seems to be a lofty goal for humans. If gaining this will lead to all these great things, how then can we attain it?
We will find the answers in Proverbs 3:19 – 20:
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.”
To attain wisdom, we must go back to the source of it—God.
Taking hold of wisdom
My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
—Proverbs 3:21-23
If the source of wisdom is God, the embodiment is Jesus. All things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). Now that we know this, it’s not enough that we just pursue it. We must take hold of it and apply it in all our dealings until it becomes part of our identity. For us who are now in Jesus Christ, to take hold of wisdom means continuously communing with Him. We can’t stay on the same level of faith—we must keep growing even if it means going through more challenges.
The Bible is filled with examples of people who lived with wisdom. Many passages also show us how to walk in it and how we will be able to see it in others. James 3:17 shows us that, “…the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” This is the proof of a life lived with wisdom. Those of us who pursue this great gift, the traits in the book of James can serve as a checklist to see if we’re becoming wise and changing from glory to glory.
Wisdom is a life-giver and a path to peace. Though we may have trouble in this world, we can live in victory when we know that Jesus is wisdom. As we navigate life on earth, we can walk with a God-given discernment, confidence, authority, security, and peace because we know and have wisdom.
To know Jesus means that when we gain wisdom, this is not just for this life but for eternity. Wisdom gives us things that we will have forever. When we walk in this path now, we will reap for ourselves rewards that will last even when we are called to our true home—forever with our Lord. But while we are here, taking hold of wisdom helps bring the Kingdom of God to the Kingdom of Man. Notice this: We become more like Christ the longer we walk, obey, and commune with Him. If He is the embodiment of wisdom, then we gain a gift unlike any other. So to those who walk on this path, expect a life towards never ending peace and happiness.
