This is the first in a series of essays describing the process of attaining wisdom. Knowledge, understanding, and wisdom begin with the fear of Yehovah.
Fear Of Yehovah Is The Beginning Of Knowledge
The fear of Yehovah is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Pro 1:7)
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Yehovah. (Pro 1:28-29)
Then you will understand the fear of Yehovah, and find the knowledge of Elohim (the lawmaker and judge). (Pro 2:5)
The fear of Yehovah and the finding of knowledge are intimately related.
Too much of what we think we have learned are merely doctrines and traditions of men. These lies are so pervasive and widely accepted that we feel they must be right. Even the translators of our most used and accepted English versions have adopted many of these lies.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (Pro 16:25)
I have found that if I want the truth I MUST go back to Yehovah’s words and see what the Hebrew actually says. But even digging into the original Hebrew language and gaining correct knowledge is still only the starting point.
Maturation in the word and ways of Yehovah should be the goal of every believer. I see this process in 4 steps; fear of Yehovah, learning knowledge, developing understanding and the attainment of wisdom.
Yehovah said through Isaiah.
Whom will He teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little. (Isa 28:9-10)
This growing process begins with gaining correct knowledge. I say “correct knowledge” because there are many things that we think we know, that are just not so. In part 2 we will see what Yehovah says about obtaining knowledge
As we begin to gain knowledge, understanding also starts to rise in our hearts. Understanding comes precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little. And understanding will be the topic of part 3.
TRUE knowledge ALWAYS agrees with the whole of Yehovah’s word and it is understanding that will bring it all together. It is understanding that allows us to renew our minds to the good and acceptable and perfect will of Yehovah. Understanding happens in our hearts.
Therefore give to Your servant [ Solomon] an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours? (1Ki 3:9)
For You have hidden their heart from understanding; Therefore You will not exalt them. (Job 17:4)
My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. (Psa 49:3)
Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. (Psa 119:34)
But even understanding is not enough.
The next, and final step in this growing process is to get wisdom (part 4). Like understanding, wisdom comes from Yehovah and resides in the heart. But unlike understanding wisdom has substance, it can be seen and heard. Wisdom is the ability to take both knowledge and understanding and apply them to our to real world situations. And that is what letting our light shine for others to see is all about. Yehovah’s message for all men is about His kingdom. Failure to understand this message will have eternal consequences.
Here is the overview of this series
Fear Of Yehovah Precedes Knowledge 1
Knowledge Precedes Understanding 2
Understanding Precedes Wisdom 3
Wisdom Is This – Serving Yehovah Wholly – 5