“Wisdom” ( 1 Kings 3: 5-14, 16-28, WYC ) by Carley Evans

⁵ Soothly the Lord appeared to Solomon by sleep in the night, and said, Ask thou that, that thou wilt, that I give it to thee.

God offers Solomon a choice. God says He will give to Solomon whatever he asks.

⁶ And Solomon said, Thou hast done great mercy with thy servant David, my father, as he went in thy sight, in truth, and [in] rightwiseness, and in rightful heart with thee; thou hast kept to him thy great mercy (thou hast shown him thy great love), and hast given to him a son, sitting on his throne, as it is today.

⁷ And now, Lord God, thou hast made thy servant to reign for David, my father; forsooth I am a little child (but I am like a little child), and not knowing mine out-going and mine in-coming.

Here Solomon recognizes how little he knows, comparing himself to “a little child, and not knowing [his] out-going and [his] in-coming.”

⁸ And thy servant is in the midst of the people, which thou hast chosen, of [a] people without number, that may not be numbered and reckoned, for multitude. (And thy servant is in the midst of the people, whom thou hast chosen, of a people without number, who cannot be counted, or reckoned, for their multitude.)

Solomon perceives the enormity of the task of ruling God’s people, “a people without number, who cannot be counted.”

⁹ Therefore thou shalt give to thy servant an heart able to be taught, that is, enlightened of thee, that he may deem thy people, and judge betwixt good and evil; for who may deem this people, thy people, this much people? (And so give thou to thy servant a heart able to be taught, that is, able to be enlightened by thee, so that he can judge, or rule, thy people, and judge between good and evil; for who can judge, or rule, this people, this great people of thine?)

Therefore, Solomon asks God for wisdom, for the ability to “judge betwixt good and evil.”

¹⁰ Therefore the word pleased before the Lord, that Solomon had asked (for) such a thing.

God is pleased.

¹¹ And the Lord said to Solomon, For thou askedest this word, and askedest not to thee many days, neither riches, neither the lives of thine enemies, but thou askedest to thee wisdom to deem doom, (And the Lord said to Solomon, For thou askedest for this thing, and askedest not for many days for thyself, nor riches, nor the lives of thy enemies, but thou askedest for wisdom to judge justly, or wisely,)

¹² lo! I have done to thee after thy words, and I have given to thee a wise heart and an understanding (one), in so much that no man before thee was like thee, neither shall rise (up) after thee.

Therefore God gives Solomon wisdom but also the things he does not ask of God — “riches, and glory.”

¹³ But also I have given to thee these things, which thou askedest not, that is, riches, and glory, that no man be like thee in kings in all times afterward (so that there shall not be any man like thee among the kings in all thy days).

¹⁴ Forsooth if thou goest in my ways, and keepest my biddings and [my] commandments, as thy father went in them, (then) I shall make thy days long.

God provides a means for Solomon to demonstrate his gift of wisdom to the people of Israel.

¹⁶ Then two women whores came to the king, and stood before him;

¹⁷ of which one said, My lord, I beseech, I and this woman dwelled in one house, and I childed at her in a couch (and I brought forth my child in a bed when she was there).

¹⁸ And in the third day after that I had childed, also this woman childed (And on the third day after that I had given birth, this woman also gave birth); and we were together in the house, and none other was (there) with us in the house, except us twain.

¹⁹ And the son of this woman was dead in the night, for she slept, and over-lay him; (And this woman’s son died in the night, for while she was sleeping, she rolled over, and laid upon him;)

²⁰ and she rose up in the fourth part of the night in silence, and took my son from the side of me, (while) thine handmaid (was) sleeping, and she laid it in her bosom; and she putted in my bosom her son, that was dead.

²¹ And when I had risen early, to give milk to my son, he appeared dead; whom I beheld more diligently by clear light, and I perceived, that he was not mine, whom I had engendered (whom I had begat).

²² The tother woman answered, It is not as thou sayest, but thy son is dead; forsooth my son liveth. The contrary, she said, Thou liest (But the other woman said, Thou liest); for my son liveth, and thy son is dead. And by this manner they strove before the king.

Two women claim the living child is hers while the dead child is not. Solomon arrives at a solution.

²³ Then the king said, This woman saith, My son liveth, and thy son is dead; and this woman answereth, Nay, but thy son is dead, and my son liveth.

²⁴ Therefore the king said, Bring ye to me a sword. And when they had brought a sword before the king,

²⁵ he said, Part ye the quick young child in two parts (Divide ye, or cut ye, the young living child in two), and give ye the half part to the one, and the half part to the tother.

²⁶ And the woman, whose son was quick, said to the king; for her entrails were moved on her son; Lord, I beseech, give ye to her the quick child, and do not ye slay him. The contrary, she said, Be he neither to me, neither to thee, but be he parted. (And the woman, whose son was living, said to the king; for she was moved with love for her son; Lord, I beseech thee, give ye to her the child alive, and do not ye kill him. But the other woman said, Be he neither to me, nor to thee, but be he divided, or cut in two.)

²⁷ The king answered, and said, Give ye to this (first) woman the young child quick, and be he not slain (Give ye this first woman the young child alive, and do not kill him); forsooth this is his mother.

Solomon recognizes the true mother; she is the woman who would rather give up her child to the other woman than have her son killed.

²⁸ Therefore all Israel heard the doom, which the king had deemed; and they dreaded the king, and saw, that the wisdom of God was in him, to make doom. (And so all Israel heard the judgement, which the king had decreed; and they revered the king, and saw, that God’s wisdom was in him, to make judgements, or justice.)

Israel hears of Solomon’s wisdom. The people of God know “that God’s wisdom is in [Solomon]” and that he is able “to make judgements, or justice.”

“Need Any Wisdom?” ( James 1:5, WYC ) by Carley Evans

James may as well be a carnival barker for as many times as a person seriously asks God for wisdom. I’m being a bit harsh here, I know. But, my impression of what we ask God to give us is not for Him to give us wisdom. The requests are more akin to: success, good health, power, wealth, friends, and – ah yes – souls. The last request, of course, requires wisdom from God and is the most noble of the six desires. How many times, however, do we ask for the salvation of a soul without also asking God for the required wisdom?

James reminds:

“And if any of you needeth wisdom, ask he of God, which giveth to all men largely [that giveth to all men largely], and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him.”

Wisdom is “accumulated philosophic or scientific learning : knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight. Wisdom is good sense : judgment. Wisdom is generally accepted belief. Wisdom is a wise attitude, belief, or course of action. Finally, wisdom is the teachings of the ancient wise men” — think Proverbs referred to as the Books of Wisdom.

What we need from God is knowledge, insight, and judgment. What we ask for is power and prosperity.

God “upbraideth not.” He freely gives His wisdom; if only we seek it.

“Seek Wisdom” ( Luke 8: 18, ESV) by Carley Evans

Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away. (Luke 8:18,ESV)

What is it that we have? Knowledge? Power? Wealth? Wisdom? God often speaks to us of seeking and gaining wisdom and understanding. He never exhorts us to desire power or wealth. Rather, the more of wisdom we have, says Jesus, the more we are given!

God warns against the ways of the foolish repeatedly through His Word. The foolish often believe what they own is of great value and they struggle after personal wealth and professional power almost incessantly. Jesus says what they imagine they possess will not endure — rather it will be taken away.

James exhorts us to ask for the wisdom we may lack; if we ask in faith God is faithful to provide understanding.

Therefore, take care how you hear!

“Pleasing To God” ( Proverbs 19: 21, ESV ) by Carley Evans

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:20-21 ESV)

Ever tried to give advice to someone who doesn’t accept it? On a more personal note, this was my life with my husband. If I gave him advice — not instruction — he resented it and me. And, no matter that my advice emerged because I loved him; at least early in our marriage. Later, the marriage was poisoned by so much, I can’t honestly say that my advice didn’t become instruction! Whether advice or instruction, he never accepted either.

Some people don’t want any help; they can’t even admit a need for help. “I’m fine,” they say. “No, I don’t need anything from you;” or even “Leave me alone, would you!” These people have everything well planned for; life is set. In their minds, they lack nothing.

“But it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” The wise seek advice and accept instruction. They know they need both so that the future is secure, good, easier, and most importantly, pleasing to God. The more we know about God, the better prepared we are to please Him. Seeking instruction is commonsense for the Christian.

Instruction in the Word is first and foremost. Advice for living is secondary but important, too. Therefore, seek out advice. Listen to instruction, and “so gain wisdom.”

“The Complacency Of Fools” ( Proverbs 1: 32, ESV ) by Carley Evans

God calls us out. He says, ‘Don’t be smug and satisfied with yourself. This complacency is the mark of the foolish, of the simple.’

“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth — Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:2-7)

The awe – the fear – of God is the starting line for instruction in wisdom. Now that you have put your hand to the wheel, begun the race, started to build, don’t shrink back. Run the full race. Seek instruction, says God. Desire discretion. Hope and strive “to understand words of insight.”

Don’t be complacent, self-satisfied and proud of your spirituality.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverbs 1:20-22)

“Get Wisdom” ( Proverbs 16: 16, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

“A crucible for silver, a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts.” “All a man’s ways seem to right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives.” (Proverbs 16:2) “The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life, searching the innermost parts.” (Proverbs 20:27) “Get wisdom — how much better than gold! And get understanding — it is preferable to silver.” (Proverbs 16:16) “The one who acquires good sense loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.” (Proverbs 19:8) “Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.” (Proverbs 19:20) “There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.” (Proverbs 20:15) “Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to knowledge.” (Proverbs 22:17) “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.” (Proverbs 18:4) “A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.” (Proverbs 16:23) “I have instructed you today — even you — so that your confidence may be in the Lord.” (Proverbs 22:19)

“An Honest Life” ( Proverbs 3: 21 – 23, NEB ) by Carley Evans

“Keep watch over your ability and prudence, do not let them slip from sight; they shall be a charm hung about your neck and an ornament on your breast. Then you will go your way without a care, and your feet will not stumble.”

“Do not spurn the Lord’s correction or take offence at His reproof; for those whom He loves the Lord reproves, and He punishes a favourite son.” (Proverbs 3:11-12)  “Can anyone be a son, who is not disciplined by his father? If you escape the discipline in which all sons share, you must be bastards and no true sons. Again, we paid due respect tot he earthly fathers who disciplined us; should we not submit even more readily to our spiritual Father, and so attain life? They disciplined us for this short life according to their lights; but He does so for our true welfare, so that we may share His holiness. Discipline, no doubt, is never pleasant; at the time it seems painful, but in the end it yields for those who have been trained by it the peaceful harvest of an honest life. Come, then, stiffen your drooping arms and shaking knees, and keep your steps from wavering.” (Hebrews 12: 7-12) Remember,”in your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:4-5)

“Throw off every encumbrance, every sin to which [you] cling, and run with resolution the race for which [you] are entered, [your] eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom faith depends from start to finish: Jesus who, for the sake of the joy that lay ahead of Him, endured the cross, making light of its disgrace, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Think of Him who submitted to such opposition from sinners: that will help you not to lose heart and grow faint.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Live an honest life, which results from maintaining your focus on Christ. “Think of Him” at all times; do “not lose heart.” Do not “grow faint.” “Keep your steps from wavering;” “stiffen…[your] shaking knees.”

“How Can We Say ‘We Are Wise?’” ( Jeremiah 8:8, NIV ) by Carley Evans

“[We] cling to deceit; [we] refuse to return… No one repents of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.” (Jeremiah 8:5-6) God bemoans His people, saying: “My people do not know the requirements of the Lord.” (Jeremiah 8:7) “They reject the Word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?” (Jeremiah 8:9) “They are put to shame; they are dismayed and trapped.” (Jeremiah 8:9) And, on top of this, their “prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of My people as though it is not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 8:10-11) They are “all greedy for gain.” (Jeremiah 8:10)

“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of My people?” (Jeremiah 8:22)

“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I Am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

As for us, God’s children, “how can [we] say, ‘We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord,’ when actually the lying pen of the scribes handle it falsely?” (Jeremiah 8:8)

We must cry out, “No one is like You, O Lord; You are great, and Your Name is mighty in power. Who should not revere You, O King of the nations? This is Your due… There is no one like You.” (Jeremiah 10:6-7) “[You] are the true God; [You] are the living God, the eternal King.” (Jeremiah 10:10)

“God Knows Me In Action Or At Rest” ( Job 23: 10, NEB ) by Carley Evans

Job is in despair. He cries out, “If I go forward, [God] is not there; if backward, I cannot find Him; when I turn left, I do not descry Him; I face right, but I see Him not. But He knows me in action or at rest; when He tests me, I prove to be gold.” Essentially, Job is saying: “I may not be able to feel God’s presence; I may not be able to figure out His plans for me, but He knows me. Whether I am at work or at play, awake or asleep; God knows my going in and my coming out. He knows my motives. He knows that I am pure.” Yes, Job claims that when God tests him, he will “prove to be gold.” He even lists the sins he has not committed in a long tirade against God. (Job 31:2-37)

Bildad the Shulite tells his friend, Job, “How…can a man be justified in God’s sight, or one born of woman be innocent? If the circling moon is found wanting, and the stars are not innocent in His eyes, much more so man who is but a maggot, mortal man who is only a worm.” (Job 25:4-6)

Job is utterly frustrated by Bildad’s complete lack of support. He groans, “What help you have given to the man without resource, what deliverance you have brought to the powerless! What counsel you offer to a man at his wit’s end, what sound advice to the foolish!” (Job 26:2-3)

And though Job believes he will “prove to be gold,” he does recognize that “no man knows the way to [wisdom]” as “it is not found in the land of living men.” (Job 28:13) He asks, “Where then does wisdom come from, and where is the source of understanding? No creature on earth can see it… But God understands the way to it, He alone knows its source; for He can see to the ends of the earth and He surveys everything under heaven.” (Job 28:20-21,23-24)

Job comes close to understanding how lame it is to argue with God who “can see to the ends of the earth and…survey everything.” Job’s own perspective is so incredibly limited when compared to God’s. When God does finally speak to him, Job has the good sense to say, “What reply can I give Thee, I who carry no weight? I put my finger to my lips. I have spoken once and now will not answer again; twice I have spoken, and I will do so no more.” (Job 40:4-5)

In the end, in the face of God’s wisdom and His omniscience — there is little left to do except bow to His will. Thankfully, God’s will is perfect.

“Watch Your Step” ( Proverbs 14: 22, NEB ) by Carley Evans

“Do not those who intend evil go astray?”

The thought that anyone would deliberately intend evil is difficult to fathom; and this despite my acceptance of humankind’s fallen nature. God warns that “no man can establish himself by wickedness.” (Proverbs 12:3) Apparently some people believe their evil schemes will work to make their lives better. Instead, “an evil man is brought down by his wickedness.” (Proverbs 14:32) “The wicked [man] is destroyed by [his] own words.” (Proverbs 12:6) Therefore,”those who plot evil delude themselves;” (Proverbs 12:20) for the truth is “the renegade reaps the fruit of his conduct.” (Proverbs 14:14) “The stronghold of the wicked crumbles like clay.” (Proverbs 12:12) In the end, “the wicked man is trapped by his own falsehoods.” (Proverbs 12:13)

 

“To turn from evil is the highway of the upright; watch your step and save your life.” (Proverbs 16:17)