Get Wisdom
“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 1:8). These were the instructions of the wise king Solomon to his son Rehoboam. If this wisdom had been heeded it most surely would have elevated Israel to an even greater height of glory, power and wealth than it was under either David, or Solomon. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7 “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” – Proverbs 16:16
The proof of this is in the life of Solomon (II Chronicles Chapter one). “God said unto [Solomon], Because thou hast asked [wisdom], and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment(I Kings 3:11). “Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like” (IIChronicles 1: 10-12). God being perfect in his righteousness, fulfilled this promise during Solomon’s reign.
Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, had the same problem many of our youth have today. In I Kings 12 Rehoboam consulted with the old men, the elders who had “stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?” They gave wise counsel, but Rehoboam didn’t believe that his elders had a good grasp on the current political climate. Rehoboam then “consulted with the young men that were grown up with him.” Not having the advantage of experience behind them, they gave a proud, arrogant response to the king’s question. The rest is history.
The Kingdom that had reached its zenith under Solomon was divided and within a short time was destroyed and taken into captivity by its enemy Nebuchadnezzar.
Rehoboam failed to understand that his father’s wisdom had not been an invention of his father. He assumed that because he was his father’s son his status was assured. The fundamental axiom that Rehoboam had failed to grasp was the first tenet his father tried to give to him concerning the truth of the origin of knowledge and wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 This phrase is repeated 13 more times in Proverbs. It seems repetition is not the only key to education. There has to be a willingness to learn.
Often there are references to the Ten Commandments which are interpreted “law of God.” The writings in Leviticus which are the ceremonial laws associated with the Temple worship on Mount Zion are sometimes called the law. All sixty six books of the Bible are the law of God because they are God’s Truth imparted to men.
If you want to get wisdom, begin with the fear of the lord, and a desire for the Law. A good place to start is by memorizing the following verses of the 119th Psalm. It’s Truth remains the same no matter what era you live in;
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. (TNIV)
Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
You make me wiser than my enemies by Your commands; for they are forever mine.
I have more wisdom than all my teachers; for Your testimonies are a meditation to me.
I understand more than the aged, for I keep Your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil way, to keep Your word.
I turned not from Your judgments; for You have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my palate! More than honey to my mouth!
By Your precepts I know; so then I hate every false way. (LITV)
O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day1.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy “testimonies” are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy “precepts.”
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy “word.”
I have not departed from thy “judgments:” for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way” (KJV)
Psalm 119: 97-104
- See the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to Timothy; II Timothy 2: 15
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