I’m studying the wisdom literature books this year, and not long ago I stumbled across some…well, wise words (go figure). The opening of Proverbs 2 features a four-step formula for how to become a wise person. The original text was written by Solomon to his son, but the content is applicable to us all. Anyone who wants to attain wisdom would do well to heed the words of Israel’s King…
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
(Proverbs 2:1-5)
If Solomon’s son wants to be wise, here’s what he needs to do. First, he must receive his father’s words. Do not assume, as many children do, that you know everything and that your father knows nothing. Do not disregard the good advice of an older person. Heed those warnings and meditate on them. Second, to seek wisdom you must incline your ear unto wisdom. Do not expect wisdom to magically appear in your brain. You have to want it. Often, you have to work for it. Granted, in Solomon’s case, it was miraculously endowed to him, but even that required him proactively to ask for it. No one just passively attains wisdom. You have to apply your mind (heart) to it. Third, if you seek wisdom, you must “cry after knowledge.” In other words, you sometimes have to beg for it. How badly do you want to be wise? It is very easy to be lazy and foolish; one usually goes hand-in-hand with the other. To become wise, however, is often a long process, and a difficult one. Are you committed to it? Are you sincere in finding it? If so, lift up your voice, and cry out for it. If you do, you will find those who have it are ready to impart it to you. Finally, fourth, if you want to be wise, you must treat wisdom like a treasure worth procuring. If you don’t, you’ll give up before you ever attain it. Is wisdom a precious thing to you? Is it more valuable to you than silver? If not—if something else is more important —then you can be sure that your quest to be wise will fall by the wayside.
Keep in mind, the kind of wisdom we’re talking about here is that which comes from God, and which concerns godly lives. We’re not talking about just “being smart” in some worldly field of expertise. We’re talking about the ability to discern right from wrong, to know how to walk in the way of God, and to make decisions that please the Father. If that’s not your highest pursuit then expect to abandon it, because it requires 100% commitment or you will attain 0% wisdom.
If you heed the words of the wise, if you listen with an intent to obey, if you desperately want it, and if you regard it as the most valuable commodity your soul can have then you will be wise. And yet, I can hear the huffing and puffing of those who disagree: Someone is going to read that and say “how can wisdom be the most important commodity to the soul? Shouldn’t salvation be the most important thing?”
Yes, it is, and that’s exactly what wisdom is. Solomon uses the word in a way that is synonymous with having a good relationship with God. The wise man, he says, “fears the Lord” and has “found the knowledge of God.” Isn’t that what everyone needs? That should be our ultimate pursuit: To know the Lord and to serve Him in reverence.
If you find wisdom, you will find God.
~Matthew