“To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
(Proverbs 1:2–7, NKJV)
There is a cohesive quality to the knowledge of Wisdom, it is personified, expressed, elevated, and exercised in relationship to perceptible and relative expressions of human tendency, experience and condition throughout scripture. Such wisdom relates to the temporal aspects of everyday life. This kind of wisdom is often referred to as “common sense” because the temporal experiences of humanity as a whole are common. Fire burns flesh, rain gets you wet, taking what is not yours is wrong, etc…
Absolute Knowledge or Wisdom at its origin is beyond the scope of humanities abilities to perceive or comprehend. Into what is the universe expanding, where did all matter come from, exactly how many stars are there, what keeps cells alive beyond the point we are capable of seeing, recording, and measuring them?
To know wisdom and instruction depends upon the ability to perceive. There must be the ability to receive knowledge, wisdom and instruction before wisdom can be spoken of and defined. Knowledge outside of perception is mystery. So a vessel or vehicle for knowledge is required, the framework of perception and even the sentient form must exist before a transfer of wisdom or knowledge can take place.
This is why the Proverb begins with the elements and consequences of Wisdom and Instruction.
chokmah /khok·maw/ is the Hebrew for Wisdom (Strong’s Hebrew #2452 from #2449)
The Hebrew for wisdom (chokmah) is found in scripture 153 times. It’s personification is typified in Prov 8:22-31, in passages where Christ is often typified (Col 1:15-16; 2:3.) Wisdom in this form is related to God’s wielding of, calling into being the things which are not, assigning the name by which they are known Rom 4:17; it finds it limit only in the Creator from which it flows and therefore is immeasurable. While the knowledge and glory of Christ cannot be ignored, the plain meaning of these passages is not singularly to relate Christ to the creation. Rather Christ typifies wisdom! Each of the key phrases is demonstrated in practical and perfect example through the incarnation.
Wisdom here in the Proverbs and scripture is used to relate the importance of ascertaining not only the origin of, but also the given ability to receive use and grasp the elements which combined are qualified as true Wisdom. The key phrases relate to holiness, grace, mercy, love and the devotion of the LORD to His creation.
The next key phrases we will focus on are:
“To perceive the words of understanding”
“To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity”
To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion”
A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel”
To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.”
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
All of these phrases relate to one another deeply, the way spirit and soul are related. Our only hope of achieving greater understanding lie in the abilities God has given us, individually and corporately. As we undertake this study we must focus on the relationship of the various components as they are centralized in the Father, demonstrated in the Son and applied by the Spirit. As we do this the relationship of fear to knowledge will become clearer and our relationship to the LORD more committed.
