Entering Into God’s Presence

Knowing God Through His Nature & Character

God is Wise (A Moral Attribute of God’s Nature)

To Study and Ponder:

• Meaning of Bible words used for wise/wisdom:-

• Old Testament (Hebrew chokmah)- skillful (in technical work), wise (in administration), shrewd, learned, prudent, to be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper, to have insight, have comprehension

• New Testament (Greek sophia)

1. wise - skilled, expert, skilled in letters, creating, management etc.; cultivated, learned

2. wisdom - broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters

3. supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God

• Wisdom is an attribute of love.

• Bill Gothard defines wisdom as “Seeing and responding to life’s situations from God’s frame of reference.” Solomon (one of the wisest man to have ever lived–1Ki 5:7;10:4), says that “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” Prov.9:10

• God is indisputably wise

• All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen. Romans 16:27

• For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully? Job 9:4a

- All around the throne proclaim God to be wise Revelation 7:12

• God created the earth and all that is on it with great wisdom, every part fitting together

• O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104: 24 (Ps 139:13)

• He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! Ps.147:4-5

• By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens. Pr 3:19

• But God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens Jeremiah 10:12 (Also Je 51:15-19)

• God’s wisdom is different from that of the world - 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:16

• But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17

• Jesus was filled with wisdom from childhood (Luke 2:40, 52), others were amazed at his wisdom (Matt.13:54, Matt.22:33, Mark 6:2, John 7:14-16), His wisdom was seen as being greater than Solomon’s! (Matt. 12:42)

• But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1Co 1:24

• Treasures of wisdom are hidden in Jesus - I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2b-3

• When asked by some Pharisees if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar or not, his answer ‘completely amazed them.” Mark 12:14-17

• And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. Isaiah 11:2-3 (prophetic - of Jesus)

• God’s Word instructs us in wisdom

• The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Ps 19:7b

• Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,for they are my constant guide.Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. Psalm 119:98-99

• God instructed people wisely and gave wisdom(skill). The same word is used to describe wisdom given to leaders & wisdom given to those who did skilled work for the temple.

• Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Deut. 34:9

• But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Ps 51:6

• I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. Ex 31:3 ...The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers. Ex. 35:35

• The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding. Is 28:26 (v.29)

• God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt. 1 Kings 4:29-30 (Also 1Ki 10:24)

• Samuel (1 Samuel 3:19), Joseph(Genesis ch.39-40), Ezra (7:25) were all given wisdom.

• Gods wants us to be wise:-

• So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Eph. 5:15

• How much better to get wisdom than gold,and good judgment than silver! Prov.16:16:

• The Holy Spirit gives wisdom and understanding.

• Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him ... Acts 10:19

• The Spirit led Philip to a man who was reading Isaiah 53 and didn’t understand it - Philip was able to bring understanding of Jesus. (Read the whole story Acts 8:26-39!)

• Wisdom comes from knowing (fearing, listening, obeying) God & involves being teachable:-

• Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Psalm 111:10

• Jesus said the one “who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise” Matthew 7:24 (Story of the wise and foolish builders Matt.7:24-27)

• Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Proverbs 9:9a

• It is wise to listen to & obey parents - A wise child pays attention to what his father teaches him. But anyone who makes fun of others doesn't listen to warnings. Prov.13:1 (NIrV)

• God wants to give us wisdom, we are to ASK for it:-

• If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5

• My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:1-6

• I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:17 (also Col.1:9)

• Wisdom is more than just knowledge, it requires character.

• If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

• See Wiley, “God is Wise” – He knows in every situation what is best for all concerned.

Meditation/Memory:

Lower Grades: O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24 (NLT)

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.  Psalm 111:10 (NLT)

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. Proverbs 9:10-11 (NLT)

Middle Grades:   Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:24  (NLT)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ...... But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 1:5, 3:17 (NLT)

Upper Grades:  I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea … I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

Colossians 2:1-3 (NLT)

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:1-6  (NLT)