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More Than Gold: Wisdom

Proverbs 3:13-15: Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

It stood out to me recently that there are few things in the Bible mentioned as being worth more than gold, silver, or rubies. Wisdom, the Law of the Lord, and good words are some of them. 

"The price of wisdom is above rubies." Job 28:18

What is wisdom? 

Wisdom, according to the internet, is "the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise."

The Bible says something else: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10) 
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 15:33)

What is 'the fear of the Lord'?

[God] said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28)

Alone, humans are helplessly damned to hell. We have absolutely no hope. We fear God in a way a criminal fears the judge and jury. Christ is The Judge of all the Earth. Even though we try desperately to suppress this knowledge in our unrighteousness (Romans 1:18), we [should be] fearful and repentant in view of His power and justice.

Your ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all your paths. (Proverbs 5:21)

When we are gloriously saved by Christ, a different kind of fear takes its place. Instead of being petrified of the Being that decides our fate, we embrace Him with love, trust His ways, and know we owe Him everything. (Read it in our Gospel series! #1#2#3, and #4) The fruit of that changed fear is, of course, the fruits of the Spirit. (Read our article about it here!)

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter
as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. (Ecclesiastes 7:11 & 12)


Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. (Proverbs 4:6)

What does all this mean? How does this effect our day to day lives?

It effects how we live: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

It effects who we choose as our friends: Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20)
The righteous choose their friends carefully. (Proverbs 12:26a)
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse. (Proverbs 2:12)
God gives wisdom! The fear of the Lord is wisdom! Praise the Lord!

“Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20)

<3 Berea

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