Bible Thoughts

September 8, 2002

The power, the wisdom, and the understanding of the creation belongs to Jehovah as the great creator of this earth and the heavens, as well as all material substance. Men cannot create, but only seek to adjust what is present in our physical universe. Whatever man produces must start with knowledge and substance that already exists. The wisdom of God created our physical earth and all things therein from nothing. While men may seek to find the origin of the universe, the wisdom of God has already revealed the source: Jehovah. This earth will stand until the Lord sees fit to destroy it. Men may hasten the destruction, but in the end, "the earth and the works therein shall be burned up"(II Peter 3:10). Such is the decree from the wisdom of Jehovah.

"When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice"(I Kings 3:28).

Jehovah responded to a prayer from Solomon for guidance in leading the people of God. As a result of his prayer, the Lord blessed him with great wisdom. Such is demonstrated in the "judgment" that is mentioned in this passage. Two women had each given birth to a son. One woman had laid upon her child in the night and the child died. She exchanged, during the night, the dead child for the live child of the other woman. The deed was detected by the mother of the living child. In order to solve the situation, King Solomon was consulted. He proposed to divide the live child in half to solve the problem. The mother of the dead child consented to the king's suggestion; the mother of the live child was willing to let the other woman have her child so that it would live. The wisdom of Solomon led the king to identify the truth as he gave the live child to the mother.

"For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe"(I Corinthians 1:21).

Wisdom devised by humans cannot save a person from sin. The wisdom of the world may be attractive to the masses of humanity. Yet, there are basic flaws due to the human factor in all of earthly wisdom. What is considered wise and helpful in one generation may prove to be the opposite in the next generation. That is not to say that all human wisdom is bad; much of human learning is good and productive. However, human wisdom cannot, and will not, save a person from sin. In the wisdom of God, the gospel of Christ was revealed from heaven that men might accept the truths therein and be saved. How could it be possible for one to be made pure and holy without the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ? The wisdom of certain men led to the crucifixion of Christ. The wisdom of God made possible our salvation through the willing sacrifice of the Son of God.

"...to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God" (Ephesians 3:10).

The church that was established by Jesus Christ in AD 33 demonstrates the wisdom of the Almighty Creator. If man, in his wisdom had created the church, she would be completely different from what the Lord made. Imagine, for a moment, the denominations, with all of their confusing doctrines and practices, are products of human wisdom. They are entirely different from the church we read about in the New Testament. Man's wisdom creates men's churches with all of their divisions and conflicting doctrines. When men build/organize any institution, it has basic flaws that must be adjusted periodically. The God of Heaven established His church(kingdom) by a divine pattern. The Master of the universe, in His wisdom, gave instructions for worship, work, organization, and purpose of the church of our Lord. The church for which Christ died is perfect in design and purpose. The pattern revealed in the New Testament, when followed, produces independent congregations, a worship in which all can participate, a simple organization(elders, deacons and saints), while each congregation maintains her autonomy with no ecclesiastical body to interfere with the worship and work of what the Lord established. What a marvelous spiritual institution! Why? It is a product of God's wisdom.

"But where can wisdom be found? And where is the

place of understanding?"(Job 28:2).

The questions of Job are most appropriate for men to ask. Where do you find wisdom? Where do you find understanding? This man of God identified where it could not be found as he replies to his own questions. Job pointed out that "man does not know its value." There are many pursuits that men make in order to obtain the desires of the human heart. Too often, the appeal to the flesh becomes the measure of what a person values. Hence, true wisdom cannot be found "in the land of the living."

Men cannot find needed wisdom by searching the sea(v. 14). Many have explored the depth of the waters in search of a great treasure, only to be denied the wealth for which they sought. While a few may discover some treasure, for the majority, it is denied. True wisdom is not in the bottom of the seas.

The wisdom needed by men cannot be purchased with gold or silver(v. 15). How many have thought, "If I just had enough wealth, I could have anything I desired." When reality demonstrates such cannot be obtained, the disappointment overtakes the seeker of material substance. All of the wealth in the world cannot purchase the true wisdom of God. "Where then, does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?"(Job 28:20). The question is answered in verse 23, "God understands its way, And He knows its place."

An English dictionary defines wisdom as "'Understanding of what is true, right or lasting; insight with common sense; good judgment"(American Heritage Dictionary). Holman's Bible Dictionary defines it as "...simply the art of learning how to succeed in life...real essence of wisdom is spiritual...will involve observation and instruction..."