The Beginning of Wisdom

Have you ever wished that you had more wisdom and knowledge than you do currently? Perhaps you have read the almost legendary account of King Solomon in the Bible requesting wisdom from God and wishing that you could attain this type of wisdom too. Well, it says in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (NIV). This isn’t a fear or terror of God that is being alluded to, but rather a reverence and regard for God, all that He is. The Hebrew word for wisdom is ÎùÍ©ÎøÍ░Î×Í©Îö, pronounced “khok-maw,” meaning shrewdness or wisdom. We all most likely have an idea of what wisdom is to us, but if we look more into the word “shrewdness,” I believe it can tell us what we should be looking for. In particular, the definition from Merriam-Webster, talks about being “marked by clever discerning awareness.” 

We can see from the story of Solomon that wisdom alone will not keep us on the straight and narrow. However, I believe that wisdom in the context of shrewdness and discernment can help us to achieve the result we may be looking for, a result that would be honoring to God as well. If we truly seek wisdom, we need not look any further than to God’s word. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, NKJV). “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12, NKJV). This applies to intellectual wisdom, spiritual wisdom, relational wisdom, and so much more. The possibilities are endless if we keep honoring God as the focus of our pursuit for wisdom. One of the biggest gifts we have been given is the Holy Spirit. When we receive God’s spirit, the process of transformation and growth is inevitable and wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are sure to be the result.