We are in a discussion on four foundational principles regarding Wisdom derived from Proverbs 8:22-31. In that poetry, Wisdom is personified as an excellent lady, walking through the busy, noisy marketplace and calling for people to listen to her call. We’ve learned that she is a poetic way of describing the very wisdom of God the Creator. The text informs us that Wisdom is older than the universe itself and is fundamental to its existence. Wisdom was by the Creator’s side during creation and served as a master engineer and architect.
As such, Wisdom was daily God’s delight and a source of much satisfaction.
We further considered several New Testament texts that provide additional clarity in terms of Wisdom’s role in creation. We learned that Jesus Christ was the bodily fulfillment of God’s wisdom and power and was just as much a part of creating the universe as the Father. The delight the Creator had in Wisdom was a delight in Himself and the manifestation of his wisdom on display.
These truths lead us to the fourth and final principle–Wisdom is needed in every aspect of our lives.
The Father and the Son utilized wisdom from the most majestic of their operations down to the most mundane and ordinary. It was by Yahweh’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that He broke open the deeps, a powerful and dangerous force of nature. But then He gently, as a heavenly nurturer, drops down the dew from the clouds and blankets the earth (Prov. 3:19-20). God not only created with wisdom, but also governs and sustains the universe with wisdom. Why would you or I need anything less for the governance of our own lives?
God’s wisdom is paramount for our survival. It is a primary and indispensable factor for our flourishing and success. When we daily posture our hearts and lives in worship to the One who rules and reigns, the eternal One who is satisfied with Himself, then and only then can we truly begin to please Him. To quote another of John Piper’s works– “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” (Piper, Desiring God). When we abandon wisdom, we abandon God Himself. When we make decisions based solely on what is right in our own eyes, we go against the very structure by which the world was made. Here are some steps to take today to demonstrate our satisfaction in God Himself, in His infinite wisdom that has been offered to us through His Word, through Jesus Christ, and through His Spirit.
First, we must value wisdom’s role through creation, through sustaining the universe, and through Jesus the Son. This takes some intentionality. Consider the myriad systems and universal laws that are all held in place as a result of God’s wisdom. When you listen to your local weather report, think of God’s wisdom. When you observe the change of seasons from winter to spring, think of God’s wisdom. When you gaze into the night sky on a cloudless evening, think and value wisdom’s role in what you see. Second, diligently seek wisdom every day for your life and work. At the beginning of Proverbs 8, the poet exhorts us to, “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her” (vv. 10-11). We have to intentionally and earnestly seek wisdom. We seek wisdom through reading and meditating on God’s Word. We can seek wisdom through prayer. We can seek wisdom by soliciting and submitting to wise counselors, advisors, and instructors.
Instead of chasing more earthly, material treasures, see to it that you are daily chasing after wisdom.
Finally, learn to take joy and satisfaction in Wisdom’s creation. We don’t do so as a means of worshiping the creation itself, as many do in our day. The mountains and lakes and beaches and waterfalls all point to the satisfaction that the Father and the Son have in each other. And you and I get to enjoy the overflow–we get to enjoy this divine relationship on display. So let’s be quick to immerse ourselves in the grandeur of creation–from distant galaxies to microscopic organisms–all proclaiming God’s manifold wisdom. And may we simply laugh with delight and rejoice with satisfaction.