Wisdom’s Call

I’ve never heard anyone say they want to lead a bad life. I don’t recall anyone ever telling me that they hope they waste their life or that they are looking forward to finding out at the end that they could have done better! Even though I’ve never heard someone speak so self-assuredly that they want to find ruin, I’ve also been shocked at how little we (as God’s children) seek and expect wisdom from God.

I’ve run across an amazing theme in my Bible reading through the book of Proverbs. I’m sure it was youth or hurriedness that kept me from seeing it before, but I’ve discovered that God actually wants to furnish us with wisdom. Perhaps we are distracted from the truth that God wants to grant wisdom by the imagery of wisdom being more precious than red rubies or all the talk about searching for it as a desirable treasure (and yes, it is precious. And yes, we should be on a quest for wisdom even more than a quest for gold!). At the same time, however – like all of God’s grace – wisdom is priceless, but free. In other words, “if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously without finding fault” (James 1:5).

Listen to how the writer of Proverbs (the father) describes her (Wisdom) to his boy:

Out in the open wisdom calls aloud; she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: how long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.

Proverbs 1:20-23

Don’t hear the word “repent” and think “grumpy.” Rather see wisdom out on the street corner, with fresh baked bread and a tender voice calling, “Come and eat! There’s plenty more where this came from!” The fact of the matter is that the following verses show the fool refusing this gift of bread [wisdom, repentance], but that falls on the hearer who doesn’t respond, not the gentle woman who is offering. One of the most important sayings we need to take to heart is: getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! (Proverbs 4:7)

If wisdom as a free gift seems too good to be true, here’s some good news for you. The same wisdom that God employed in laying the foundations of the world is accessible and offered to you today! Take heart mom, teenager, businessman, and wanderer: the Lord doesn’t accidentally knock over His gauntlet of wisdom every once in a while or portion it out sparingly. Instead, He is poised at this very moment to tip it over your head and into your life! But I ask you to consider, just as the sage asked of his son: just because wisdom is free doesn’t mean it’s easy to receive. The fact that God is generous doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be disciplined, endeavoring with all of your being to have wisdom, listen to her, and enjoy her gifts and way of life.

It is worth repeating: God actually wants to furnish us with wisdom! Indeed, He desires this with such intensity that the Word and Wisdom of God, the eternal Son, has become flesh and dwelt among us (John 1). God has spoken to us by His Son, Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Heb. 1:2, Col. 2:3). The foundation of true knowledge is not found in a book, a profession, or a well-meaning website. It is found in Yahweh and a fear of Him.

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:7

So what now?

First, seek wisdom and pursue it. Not as a gold chest to be wrenched from God’s hand, but as a token from a Father and Friend who doesn’t find fault with you when you ask for it! God knows better than anyone that we lack wisdom. Yet at the same time, He is the One most eager for our lives to be filled with a fear of Him, a prizing of His perspective, and the bountiful gift of knowledge available to us in Christ.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

–Psalm 103:13-14

Second, hear the invitation of the eternal Word and Wisdom as he saw simple, foolish, and frustrated ones:

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart…

Matthew 11:28-29

Here we see the Gentle Teacher inviting us to come and learn. He desires, even more than we desire for ourselves, to furnish our hearts and minds with His teaching, His way of life, and His treasures of wisdom and knowledge!

Come, drink freely from the fountain of wisdom! (Proverbs 18:4)