Knowing God Study - Lesson 12 Ý
Copyright 2004-5 by William Meisheid

Chapter 10: God's Wisdom and Ours

Today’s theme: After salvation, wisdom is God's greatest gift.

Scriptural background: Proverbs 4:5-9 "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

Quotes for the week

"Wisdom is oft times nearer when we stoop than when we soar." William Wordsworth. The Complete Poetical Works, The Excursion, Book Third: Despondency,  1888.

"Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers." Alfred Lord Tennyson. "Locksley Hall," Line 141.

"Not by years but by disposition is wisdom acquired." Plautus (254-184 B.C.). Trinummus. Act II, Scene 2, line 88.

Concern: We will not see that we are truly wise only when we learn from God what he wishes to teach us

"The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor." Proverbs 15:33

1   Is wisdom lacking in our modern world? Why, or why not?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools [morally deficient.] despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7

2   How do you think fear is related to wisdom?

Interacting With The Text

Goal: If God desires to give us wisdom, it is important that we understand how to gain this important gift from our Father in heaven.

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor." Proverbs 3:13-16

1   How does Packer define for us "being made in the image of God"? What relation does that have to God's communicable attributes?

2   Why is "being renewed in the image of Christ and of God" important? (2 Cor 3:18, Col 3:10)  What relation does this have to original creation?

3   Why is wisdom (Godly wisdom is assumed here) so important to the follower of God?

4   According to the Bible, what are the two prerequisites to gaining Godly wisdom?

5   In section three, Packer will ask us what kind of gift is wisdom. What single word would you use to describe God's gift of wisdom using the information from this section? How does that relate to our life today, in Maryland, USA, 2004?

6   Why is the book of Ecclesiastes so important in understanding the nature of wisdom?

7   What is the connection between sloth and pride according to Packer? Why is this out-of-date word (sloth) important to us right now?

8   In the end, what form should our quest for wisdom take? What are the things we are questing after?

What To Do Next

Read Chapter Eleven: Thy Word is Truth. Consider why truth is significant to God’s Word. Also think about Pilate’s question to Jesus (What is truth?) and ponder what this reveals about us and the way we approach this significant aspect of God’s revelation of himself.

Goal: To begin defining our wisdom by God’s standard.

Considering the fact that we were both created in God’s image, and reborn to renew that image within us to take some this week to think about how accurately you are reflecting the image of God to the world around you and what you can do to make that reflection more faithful.