I have always thought that wisdom referred to a wealth of knowledge, that a wise man meant a smart man.
Recent study has opened my eyes to understanding that wisdom and knowledge are two separate things. Look at these verses as examples:
Solomon is speaking to God in 2 Chronicles 1:10, Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people. and God replied in verse 12 wisdom and knowledge will be given to you.
Ecclesiastes 2:26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness.
So then, I asked, what is wisdom?
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
Job asks in 28:12 and 20 Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? He considers then the worth of such and that it cannot be found in the land of the living (verse 13). It can’t be bought, it is of such high value, it cannot be measured. He concludes in verse 29 The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.
These verses intrigued me. If they are one in the same, why are they listed separately by Solomon and by God? Then David and Job point out wisdom is the fear of the Lord.
I checked out the definition of knowledge at dictionary dot com and read acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation, then I looked up wisdom and read knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.
Proverbs 2:10 helps differentiate the two.For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Again, two different values.
Knowledge is information obtained by study, wisdom is knowing what is right and just. Right and just, that describes God!! Isaiah 45:21 There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior. With God’s wisdom He who does what is right is righteous, just as he (God) is righteous.†1 John 3:7.
Proverbs is a book filled with wisdom, why we should embrace wisdom, and warnings against rejecting it. The book of Proverbs is 31 chapters. Why not spend the 31 days of January reading one chapter a day and finding for yourself God’s wisdom. Allow it to “enter your heart†as you begin this new year.
I challenge you to seek to fill your heart with wisdom and grow in the knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.