For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
In 1373, when Julian of Norwich was thirty years old, she became ill and nearly died. When her minister prayed with her, she experienced a number of visions in which she considered Jesus’ crucifixion. After miraculously recovering her health, she spent the next twenty years living in solitude in a side room of the church, praying over and thinking through the experience. She concluded that “love was his meaning”; that is, that Christ’s sacrifice is the supreme manifestation of God’s love.
Julian’s revelations are famous, but what people often overlook is the time and effort she spent prayerfully working out what God revealed to her. In those two decades, she sought to discern what this experience of His presence meant as she asked Him for His wisdom and help.
As He did with Julian, God graciously reveals Himself to His people, such as through the words of the Bible; through His still, small voice; through a refrain of a hymn; or even just an awareness of His presence. When this happens, we can seek His wisdom and help. This wisdom is what King Solomon instructed his son to pursue, saying he should turn his ear to wisdom and apply his heart to understanding (Proverbs 2:2). Then he would “find the knowledge of God” (v. 5).
God promises to give us discernment and understanding. As we grow in a deeper knowledge of His character and ways, we can honor and understand Him more.
Moral Benefits of Wisdom
2 1 My son,x if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
and applying your heart to understandingy—
3 indeed, if you call out for insightz
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,a
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.b
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;c
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.d
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shielde to those whose walk is blameless,f
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.g
9 Then you will understandh what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,i
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.j
INSIGHT
- How does God reveal Himself to you most often?
- When He does, how do you come to understand what He’s revealed?
The book of Proverbs helps us understand theology—the nature of wisdom as centered in God—and also guides us toward practical skill in living. From an ethical standpoint, this leads to flourishing not only for the individual but also for the community. The proverbs of the Bible help guide us toward wise attitudes and behavior and away from foolish ones. Some of the insights found in this book include: relationships (6:16–19), sexual ethics (6:24–29), listening to advice (9:7–9), work ethics (10:4–5), business ethics (11:1, 24–26), planning (16:1–3, 9, 33), dealing with authority (23:1–3), the misuse of alcohol (23:29–35); relationships with friends/neighbors (24:28–29; 27:17), conflict (26:17, 20–21), anger (27:3–4), taking care of the vulnerable (28:27), and the danger of pride (29:23).
PRAYER
Gracious God, help me to grow in Your wisdom. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Proverbs 2:1-11 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Job 30-31 ; Acts 13:26-52
