Today’s reading:
1 Corinthians 2: 1-10
“But we speak of wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.” (v.7)
It is a common saying that anyone who lacks wisdom is foolish. King Solomon, who asked for and received wisdom and exceedingly great understanding from God, subsequently wrote the Book of Proverbs, based on his wisdom. His wisdom was said to have excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt (1 Kings 4:29-30). In his book, he extensively compared the wise with the foolish.
“Wisdom” is generally regarded as the ability or quality to make good judgments, based on what has been learnt from knowledge, understanding or experiences. It is insight; it also means discernment. Spiritually, wisdom is one of the attributes of God, otherwise, how could He have created all things and has continued to sustain and maintain them (Ps. 104:5). It is written in Job 26:7 that He hangs the earth on nothing! No wonder his wisdom and knowledge are said to be unsearchable. The sources of wisdom are generally classified as; Godly and Worldly. The “Godly wisdom” is God’s kind of wisdom, also known as the “wisdom of God”. His wisdom clearly defines his Self. Man cannot find adequate or appropriate or right and enough words to describe the wisdom of God. No wonder in the book of Job in chapter 28:12-28, the source of wisdom is extensively discussed. It is not found in the land of the living (V13), the deep says it is not in it and the seas say not with them (V14). It cannot be purchased, valued, weighed, equalled or exchanged with any precious stones or jewellery (Vs 15-19). The question is asked in (V20) where then does Wisdom come from? Gladly, the answer in (V23) is that God is He who understands the way of wisdom and knows its place. It is said to be hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air (V21). It is written in (V27) that God saw wisdom and declared it. He prepared it, indeed He searched it out. In Prov. 3:19. It is said that by wisdom He founded the earth and made everything in it his possessions (Ps. 104:24).
In the New Testament, in Rom.16:27, God is said to be the only wise God. Paul, in 1 Cor. 1:25, declared that the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and in V27 said that God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise of this world. The depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God is unknown (Rom. 11:33). As earlier listed, the other source of wisdom is the world, which is “worldly wisdom”, which is unlike the Wisdom of God. Paul in 1 Cor. 3:19 said that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God and that God catches the wise in their craftiness (Job 5:13). God, who created man in his image and likeness, discovered early enough that every intent of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually (Gen. 6:5). Paul further confirmed in 1 Cor. 3:20 that the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile (Ps. 94:11). Paul also intimates that the worldly wisdom is earthly, sensual, demonic; For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are found. God promises to destroy the wisdom of the wise (Is. 29:14).
In our Today’s reading in verse 7, Paul further expatiates his writing on the wisdom of God, which he started in 1 Cor. 1:18-31, by extending this wisdom to the salvation purpose for mankind. He said he and the other Apostles spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery, which was hidden, but was ordained by God before the ages, for man’s glory. The writer of Romans in Chapter 16:25 also speaks of the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began, but now made manifest and known to all nations. It is said in V8 that none of the rulers of the age knew this mystery (secret), otherwise, they would not have crucified Jesus, the Lord of Glory. This mystery has been revealed to mankind from God through his Spirit, who searches all things, deep things (wisdom) of God. God in his wisdom and eternal love had prepared, before the world began, the things eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, for those who love him (V9). This is the mystery and outcome of salvation for mankind.
Some of the benefits of having the wisdom of God include: empowerment to excel above one’s peers. A good example is seen in the life of Daniel (Dan. 1:17-21; 6:3). Another example is Joseph (Gen. 41); also Stephen (Acts 6 & 7). Jesus Christ (Mk. 6:2) exhibited God’s kind of wisdom, which made those people who listened to him in the synagogue wonder what wisdom was given to him that such mighty works were performed by his hands. Paul and other Apostles also exhibited God’s wisdom in their preaching, teaching and miracles performed through them by God.
The question is how do you receive when you desire God’s kind of wisdom?
No doubt, from the foregoing, one will desire the wisdom of God which only He can give. Know that all and every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17). We can receive by asking, but first one must have a relationship with him, through his Son, Jesus Christ, who came to earth to die and reconcile man back to the Father. Be born again by accepting this sacrifice. Thereafter, you can ask God for things, and you will be given. A sure way to receive the wisdom of God is through the fear of God. In Job 28:28, it is said that the fear of the Lord is wisdom. Solomon reiterated severally in his Book – Proverbs, that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10); and that wisdom is the principal thing (Prov. 4:6).
The wisdom of God can also be obtained through meditation of his Word (Ps. 119:98-100). Paul’s encouragement to Timothy on the meditation of the Word is found in 1 Tim. 4:15, which he said yields great spiritual results. It is instructive to the believer to desire and receive the wisdom of God. This makes his Christian walk with God easier, exciting and rewarding.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Father, we acknowledge you as the God of wisdom.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for creating and sustaining the world with your wisdom.
Oh Lord, please steer the desires and endow all believers with your kind of wisdom, to live their lives for you.
Father, help the church to desire and seek your kind of wisdom, to dispel the darkness of this world.
Father, give the leaders of our nation your kind of wisdom, to guide them and instruct them to govern the nation aright.
Comentarios