Like understanding, wisdom is given by Yehovah. They are really two sides of the same coin.
Wisdom Is Tangible!
But, while we can not see or hear someone’s understanding, we can see and/or hear their wisdom. When Yehovah speaks He gives knowledge and understanding with His wisdom.
“For Yehovah gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” (Pro 2:6)
“My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding.” (Pro 5:1)
In Torah there are many who displayed their wisdom in very practical matters.
“Then Yehovah spoke to Moses, saying; ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of Elohim, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you.'” (Exo 31:1-6)
“Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart Yehovah had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work.” (Exo 36:2)
“And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats’ hair” (Exo 35:26)
“Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the sons of Israel heeded him [when he spoke], and did as Yehovah had commanded Moses.” (Deu 34:9)
David, on his death-bed, told his son Solomon:
“I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of Yehovah your Elohim [lawmaker and judge]: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Torah of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.” (1Ki 2:2-4)
I bet it was also David speaking to Solomon when he wrote this also:
“My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of Yehovah, and find the knowledge of Elohim. For Yehovah gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk uprightly. He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints [his khaw·seed]. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you.” (Pro 2:1-11)
It is no wonder that young Solomon asked Yehovah for knowledge, understanding and wisdom to lead Yehovah’s people.
“Now, O Yehovah my Elohim, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant 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 3:7-9)
“Then Elohim said to him; ‘Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.'” (1Ki 3:11-12)
“Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” Then Elohim said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life – but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king – wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” (2Ch 1:10-12)
“Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said; ‘O adonai [my master], give her the living child, and by no means kill him!’ But the other said; ‘Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.’ So the king answered and said; ‘Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.’ And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of Elohim was in him to administer justice. (1Ki 3:26-28)
Do we seek after riches, wealth, honor and long life … or do we seek for the knowledge, understanding and wisdom that comes from Yehovah’s eternal and unchanging words? I choose to do the latter, on purpose, and trust that Yehovah will bless me as he blessed Solomon.
Gaining knowledge and applying our hearts to understanding will prepare us to do and teach wisdom.
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