"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor when thou dost embrace her."
Proverbs 4:7-8
Part 1
Today: Whatever You Do Get Wisdom!
Just about everyone uses apps today. There are so many, and they can be a great help to us. But there is an app that is needed by all that cannot be downloaded from the internet, and no electronics are required for it. This app comes from time alone with God, in His Word. It’s His “wisdom app.” Do you have it?
Why is wisdom so important to God’s child? Solomon explains it this way,
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, And the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: And all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her”[1] (Proverbs 3:13-15).
Briefly stated, the one who has wisdom is happy and has tremendous value, so valuable that nothing else can compare with it. This is why Solomon can say,
“Wisdom is the principal thing.”
We need God’s wisdom to function correctly in our world today. This valuable quality starts with “seeing life from God’s point of view”[2] (Herron). No wonder it is the “principal thing.” From God’s perspective, His wisdom comes “first,” it is the “beginning” item we need and the “best” tool we can have in our tool chest today. We need to make this the “chief” thing in our pursuits.[3]
The only way to have God’s perspective is by spending time in His Word with Him. Hopefully, if you are saved for a while, you have developed the habit of being in the Word daily. If so, you will agree that this pattern of feeding your heart and mind on the Scriptures consistently has made a tremendous difference in how you look at and cope with life.
“Therefore get wisdom.”
“The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom”… Proverbs 2:1-5.[4]
“Get wisdom – Consider this as thy chief gain; that in reference to which all thy wisdom, knowledge, and endeavors should be directed”[5] (Clarke).
“He is already wise who seeks wisdom, and he is wise who knows its value, seeks to possess it”[6] (Clarke).
“And with all thy getting get understanding.”
Wisdom is vital, but there is more we need in our toolbox to deal with life.
“With all Thy Getting.”
“…with all, thou hast gotten,… at the price or cost of all thy possessions. Compare [with], Matthew 13:44, 46.”[7]
According to Jesus, it is worth giving up everything else you have, just to get God’s wisdom, this “Pearl of Great Price.”
But what happens when a person ignores God’s wisdom? Or if they do honor God’s wisdom? Come back tomorrow, and let’s find out together.
Quote: “There is no counsel like God’s counsel. No comfort like His comfort. No wisdom more profound than the wisdom of the Scriptures”[8] (Charles R. Swindoll).
[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Pr 3:13–15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[2] Marty Herron, “Intro to Biblical Counseling” class notes, “Wisdom is the Principal Thing.” Harvest Baptist Bible College, 2013. Borrowed with great appreciation.
[3] See Brown, Driver, Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 4:7.
[4] Cambridge Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 4:7.
[5] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 4:7.
[6] Clarke, ibid.
[7] Cambridge Bible, ibid.
[8] Swindoll’s quote Downloaded: Friday, April 23, 2021. From: https://www.wisefamousquotes.com/quotes-about-gods-wisdom/.