The Everlasting Wisdom of God
Introduction. In our youth, the ability to master a task and do it well was very important to our self-esteem. Over time we learned that this is the essence of wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to understand what needs to be done, seek out the best way to do it, and apply oneself to the task until they can do it well. In this way we gained success, respect, and excellence.
This is a tiny portion of the wisdom God used when He created the heavens and the earth. Because we are in His image and after His likeness, we have access to this wisdom He left for us to use. It is an everlasting wisdom, existing in eternity, and used by God in all that He created.
When we follow God and seek His wisdom, we begin our journey to restore His image and likeness within us, making wise decisions and working in fellowship with Him to accomplish His eternal purpose. (Eph 3:9-10). This will bring great blessings to us and glory to Him. (1Pet 4:10-11). But there is a grave danger that we must put forth our greatest efforts to avoid.
The eternal wisdom of God has a devious and seductive counterfeit. In our world that is cursed by sin, a new wisdom has been devised to work with sin and error to gain great success. It is this wisdom that destroys others to enrich themselves. It makes people experts at the selfish misuse of others, including God, for their gain. This is the wisdom that false teachers use: “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” (Jas. 3:15-16)
This wisdom often rejects God, either by replacing Him with gods of their own choosing or those who believe that time and chance and not God and His wisdom are the source of all that we see. This is a wisdom that leads away from God. It does indeed bring wealth, power and the praise of men, but is firmly grounded in the lusts of the flesh and eyes along with the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). The wisdom of this age will only benefit those who possess and use it until the day of their death. Then, at the end of this false and counterfeit path, they will be left in eternal misery and despair.
All the wisdom we have gained in our short life originates from either the wisdom that is from above or the wisdom of men. The wisdom of God arises from a knowledge and respect for God and is seeks to be fully aligned with His will. It begins believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). It also leads to a trust that cannot be broken.
God’s wisdom decrees that it is not in man to direct his own steps. Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Awe, reverence, and respect for His wisdom existing all around us will lead us to the path leading to true wisdom.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Pr. 9:8)
Only Scripture can reveal this wisdom from above for it contains all its treasures. We must never assess Scripture by the wisdom of this age, but instead assess all the wisdom we have gained in this life to be certain it is truly the wisdom from above and not from beneath.
If we can reach this quality of trust in Scripture alone, we will stand on the threshold of a wisdom far more powerful than we could ever imagine. It is not a wisdom of this age, but transcends it. It provides insight into the wisdom of God’s eternal purpose and plan for man’s eternal destiny and welfare. It is a hidden wisdom, a wisdom that by God’s eternal decree even before the earth had come into being would bring us glory. It is a wisdom to desire and brings only blessings, honor, and success.
Greek philosophy (love of human wisdom) was highly prized in Athens and Corinth. Yet it was a stumbling block to those in Corinth and God revealed His contempt and disgust for it. God despises human wisdom because it is the source and reason for the countless billions who will never accept His existence or be brought into submission to His will. For these reasons He will destroy and bring it to nothing.
This passage is profound and must be carefully considered. There is nothing about the wisdom of the wise that has any value. Everything that has value and permanence is within Scripture. This is why God has placed so many warnings about not adding to or changing it. THERE IS NOTHING TO ADD. The wisdom of this age is worthless. No matter how deeply anyone ponders the mysteries Scripture holds, they must stop where Scripture does (Duet. 29:29). Those who seek for flaws in it or attempt to improve upon it will guarantee their failure.
Yet in spite of the fact that it is not possible to improve on God’s wisdom, many continue to try. The entire creation reflects the wisdom of God. Man lives within the wisdom of God. Everything in this creation reveals it. The perfection of this wisdom reveals God’s everlasting power and divinity. There has never been any excuse for man to rely on human wisdom. We live and move and have our being within it.
We all live in the midst of the wisdom of God. Yet human wisdom always leads away from God. God devised the good news of salvation to compel man to reject this wisdom. Anyone who refuses to reject human wisdom will find the gospel foolishness and will never accept it.
Multitudes of disciples seek to meet God halfway. They will accept His existence and confess Jesus as Lord, but they will only accept the will of God if it meets their expectations based on human wisdom. God will not accept any mixture of human thought placed next to His own. (Mt. 15:7-9). Everything outside Scripture must be rejected. Nothing can be improved by modifying it to fit our tainted understanding created by human wisdom. Any admixture of human wisdom with Scripture corrupts and destroys the wisdom of God. It is only the wisdom of this age masquerading as the wisdom of God. All disciples must assess their own wisdom and reject it even if it makes us feel foolish. All wisdom of this world is folly to God. We must root it out to be truly wise.
Conclusion. Long ago, Job stated the truth about the wisdom from above. “Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.” After many elaborations, he concluded with two thoughts. First, “God understands its way,” and second, “He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. 28 And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'” (Job 28:12-28)
This is a tiny portion of the wisdom God used when He created the heavens and the earth. Because we are in His image and after His likeness, we have access to this wisdom He left for us to use. It is an everlasting wisdom, existing in eternity, and used by God in all that He created.
- The Lord possessed me (wisdom) at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.” (Pr. 8:22-23)
When we follow God and seek His wisdom, we begin our journey to restore His image and likeness within us, making wise decisions and working in fellowship with Him to accomplish His eternal purpose. (Eph 3:9-10). This will bring great blessings to us and glory to Him. (1Pet 4:10-11). But there is a grave danger that we must put forth our greatest efforts to avoid.
The eternal wisdom of God has a devious and seductive counterfeit. In our world that is cursed by sin, a new wisdom has been devised to work with sin and error to gain great success. It is this wisdom that destroys others to enrich themselves. It makes people experts at the selfish misuse of others, including God, for their gain. This is the wisdom that false teachers use: “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” (Jas. 3:15-16)
This wisdom often rejects God, either by replacing Him with gods of their own choosing or those who believe that time and chance and not God and His wisdom are the source of all that we see. This is a wisdom that leads away from God. It does indeed bring wealth, power and the praise of men, but is firmly grounded in the lusts of the flesh and eyes along with the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). The wisdom of this age will only benefit those who possess and use it until the day of their death. Then, at the end of this false and counterfeit path, they will be left in eternal misery and despair.
All the wisdom we have gained in our short life originates from either the wisdom that is from above or the wisdom of men. The wisdom of God arises from a knowledge and respect for God and is seeks to be fully aligned with His will. It begins believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). It also leads to a trust that cannot be broken.
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. (Pr. 3:5-7)
God’s wisdom decrees that it is not in man to direct his own steps. Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Awe, reverence, and respect for His wisdom existing all around us will lead us to the path leading to true wisdom.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Pr. 9:8)
Only Scripture can reveal this wisdom from above for it contains all its treasures. We must never assess Scripture by the wisdom of this age, but instead assess all the wisdom we have gained in this life to be certain it is truly the wisdom from above and not from beneath.
- the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:2-4)
If we can reach this quality of trust in Scripture alone, we will stand on the threshold of a wisdom far more powerful than we could ever imagine. It is not a wisdom of this age, but transcends it. It provides insight into the wisdom of God’s eternal purpose and plan for man’s eternal destiny and welfare. It is a hidden wisdom, a wisdom that by God’s eternal decree even before the earth had come into being would bring us glory. It is a wisdom to desire and brings only blessings, honor, and success.
- However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, (1Cor. 2:6-7)
Greek philosophy (love of human wisdom) was highly prized in Athens and Corinth. Yet it was a stumbling block to those in Corinth and God revealed His contempt and disgust for it. God despises human wisdom because it is the source and reason for the countless billions who will never accept His existence or be brought into submission to His will. For these reasons He will destroy and bring it to nothing.
- For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” (1Cor. 1:19)
This passage is profound and must be carefully considered. There is nothing about the wisdom of the wise that has any value. Everything that has value and permanence is within Scripture. This is why God has placed so many warnings about not adding to or changing it. THERE IS NOTHING TO ADD. The wisdom of this age is worthless. No matter how deeply anyone ponders the mysteries Scripture holds, they must stop where Scripture does (Duet. 29:29). Those who seek for flaws in it or attempt to improve upon it will guarantee their failure.
Yet in spite of the fact that it is not possible to improve on God’s wisdom, many continue to try. The entire creation reflects the wisdom of God. Man lives within the wisdom of God. Everything in this creation reveals it. The perfection of this wisdom reveals God’s everlasting power and divinity. There has never been any excuse for man to rely on human wisdom. We live and move and have our being within it.
- For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Rom. 1:20)
We all live in the midst of the wisdom of God. Yet human wisdom always leads away from God. God devised the good news of salvation to compel man to reject this wisdom. Anyone who refuses to reject human wisdom will find the gospel foolishness and will never accept it.
- For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (1Cor. 1:21-22)
Multitudes of disciples seek to meet God halfway. They will accept His existence and confess Jesus as Lord, but they will only accept the will of God if it meets their expectations based on human wisdom. God will not accept any mixture of human thought placed next to His own. (Mt. 15:7-9). Everything outside Scripture must be rejected. Nothing can be improved by modifying it to fit our tainted understanding created by human wisdom. Any admixture of human wisdom with Scripture corrupts and destroys the wisdom of God. It is only the wisdom of this age masquerading as the wisdom of God. All disciples must assess their own wisdom and reject it even if it makes us feel foolish. All wisdom of this world is folly to God. We must root it out to be truly wise.
- Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; 20 and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." (1Cor. 3:18-20)
Conclusion. Long ago, Job stated the truth about the wisdom from above. “Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.” After many elaborations, he concluded with two thoughts. First, “God understands its way,” and second, “He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. 28 And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'” (Job 28:12-28)
- "From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? 21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air. 22 Destruction and Death say, 'We have heard a report about it with our ears.' 23 God understands its way, And He knows its place. (Job 28:20-23)
- Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. (Prov. 4:5-8)