The title of this study is not mine but that of a former friend and long-time pastor. Forty years ago, I, along with several other men, were assigned a task of reviewing the total organization of Lutheran High School. Among them was a man named The Rev. Dr. Robert Meier, senior pastor of a local congregation. Our task force met for over a year, and at times, struggled with direction. During each of our meetings, Pastor Meier would open with a devotion.
As is my custom, I have a plethora of notes made in my favorite Bible. The note in the margin is the title listed above. The message from Pastor Meier was taken from 1 Corinthians 1:24 where St. Paul says, “…Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” My dear friend is now departed to be with his LORD (1998), but his instructional words ring out to me today.
Wisdom, of course, is a name for God – all three persons of the Trinity. Wisdom created, wisdom became flesh, wisdom completed the act of salvation for the world’s sin, and wisdom overcame the grave and rose victoriously and is seated at the right hand of God. Amen. The Old Testament (“O. T.”) has many instances of God (as wisdom). The Hebrew word for wisdom is Chokmah (chakam). Particularly, the wisdom literature includes Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. Listen to king David, the psalmist, “the mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks what is just.” (Psalm 37:30). And just how does one become righteous? It is by the grace of God that by faith we have been atoned (made right or righteous) by the blood of the Lamb. David’s son, Solomon, said in his book of wisdom, “then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom…I saw that wisdom is better than folly. (Ecclesiastes 2:12ff, paraphrased).
Job was indeed a man of God who endured much having lost everything he had – except his faith. In chapter 28, Job says, “where can wisdom be found…the price of wisdom is beyond rubies…God understands the way to it, and he alone knows where it dwells.” (Job 28: various)
St. Paul speaks of the wisdom of God on multiple occasions in one of his epistles. In particular, his letter to the church at Colossae he argues against human wisdom – articulated by the Gnostics – and stressed that the Christian and not the Gnostic has what is true! Paul prayed earnestly that they (church members) would be of like heart and love so that “they may have the full riches of complete understanding…they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2ff)
Paul concludes a section in Romans with an oft-quoted doxology. This doxology opens with a beautiful praise statement, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God…” (Rom 11:33) He concludes the ever-encompassing nature of God – from Him, through Him, and to Him are “all things.” (paraphrased).
Our LORD’s brother, James, speaks about wisdom in his short epistle. He reminds us that there are two kinds of wisdom. One that is earthly and not genuine wisdom, and one that is the result of faith in the one true God. He lists the result of wisdom that is divine. Listen! “wisdom is…pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
Our LORD Jesus exhibited all these qualities as the Son of Man who was born to die for the world’s sin.
Wisdom was born of God. Yes, He was born by the Holy Spirit to a young woman. Wisdom lay in the cradle – precious and holy. The gospel writer Luke reminds each of us that Jesus, as true man, grew in “wisdom” and favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52). Wisdom journeyed the land of Israel as the Promised One from ages past. His wisdom was on exhibit just as James’ list of attributes. And then, Wisdom approached the whole objective of His presence. Wisdom now hung on Calvary’s tree for the sins of the world. And now Wisdom rose victoriously and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
But wisdom is not gone, rather, it is imparted to each Christian in faith, clothed in the righteousness of the Lamb. May the God of all grace and mercy grant you to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God that we may serve Him by serving others.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
