322. GET WISDOM -THE MOST CRUCIAL THING

(The Information & Edification Series – Batch 11)

In Proverbs 4:7 of the Bible, notice that it does not say to GET MONEY or to GET A BOYFRIEND/HUSBAND or to GET A THRIVING CAREER or to GET POLITICAL AND INFLUENTIAL AFFILIATIONS or anything else. No. It says:

“WISDOM is the principal thing: therefore GET WISDOM: and with all thy getting GET UNDERSTANDING.”

The Word, which comes from the God of all wisdom and knowledge therefore, warns us, that even if we get money, a boyfriend/spouse, a good career, influential associations or any other thing, we must make sure that first and foremost, we have gotten wisdom and understanding, without which, none of these things that we have gotten, can really help us to live successfully on this earth and none can give a guarantee of salvation.

The wisdom to which the Word of God refers is heavenly wisdom, not earthly wisdom, which is sensual and devilish. In highlighting the difference between the two, James 3:13-18 states:

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

The wisdom that is from above and comes from God, begins with God. Proverbs 3:19-20 states, “The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.” Psalm 147:5 reads, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” 1 John 3:20 also says of God that he “…knoweth all things.”

In Romans 11:33-36, the apostle Paul, a man who had received much earthly education, had reached high influential heights and was highly respected and regarded of men, declared at one point, how useless it was to get all that he had acquired, if he did not have relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s Son and God’s heavenly wisdom. God’s wisdom and relationship with his Son being so much more valuable, Paul stated:

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:7-9)

This same Paul, after he came to be believe on Jesus Christ and to desire God’s heavenly wisdom (not more earthly education or influence), said in Romans 11:33-36 of God’s omniscience:

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

In Revelation 1:8, it reads of Jesus, who is the Son of God and also God the Son and therefore is equal with God and part of the Godhead, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” In light of who God is and that everything began with him, Proverbs 9:10 makes it clear therefore, that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

Only those that fear the Lord, aspire to obey him, to please him and to follow what his Word says. In turn, it is only those who have relationship with God through Jesus Christ his Son, that tend to really have the right kind of reverential fear for him. People may have a consciousness that there is a God and fear the idea of him because they accept that he is more powerful than them. However, the kind of fear and devotion that God deserves and rightfully expects is only possible from someone who has submitted his heart and life by faith in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, to the very Lord Jesus Christ.

It therefore follows, that the most important thing in this life is to believe God’s Word and therefore, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, to confess that he is Lord and to therefore surrender one’s entire being to his Lordship. In doing so, one gets salvation of his wretched soul from eternal damnation and is instead, guaranteed eternal life. In this way, one gets to pass from death, which is what is actually deserved because of our sins, to life.

In John 5:24, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

On how one can be saved and enter into relationship with God through his Son Jesus Christ, Romans 10:0-13 declares:

“That if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH the Lord Jesus, and shalt BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

When we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, we are regenerated and indwelled by God’s Spirit and brought into his divine family. We then continue on having a reverential fear of God and he enlightens our understanding, so that we can appreciate, passionately seek after and embrace the true and lasting wisdom, which is heavenly wisdom, which we realize is most valuable.

Solomon, who was described as the wisest man that ever lived, understood the importance of getting this wisdom, which came from God. He therefore prioritized it as more important than everything else, including his kingship and all the influence, riches and wealth that that would bring him. Therefore, when God instructed him to ask him for something, anything, Solomon did not ask for wealth, health, for women, for more children, for his enemies to be destroyed or any other thing. He used this one chance to place a request before God, to ask for WISDOM.

Solomon desired this heavenly wisdom more than anything else that he valued and this was because he had relationship with God and the right kind of fear for him. In verse 3 of 1 Kings 3, it says of king Solomon “And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father…”

In 1 Kings 5:14, it then reads that:

“In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, 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; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”

God was therefore so pleased with Solomon’s request and that he had placed the GETTING OF WISDOM and understanding above everything else that he may have desired to get, that he blessed him with other things as well, which he did not ask for, like wealth.

God’s wisdom is attainable by everyone, as it does not hide itself but makes loud proclamation. It wants to be found and desired of everyone and it is readily available to all who want it. Proverbs 1:20-23 states:

“Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”

Even Christians that have some measure of God’s wisdom because they have believed on Jesus Christ and confessed him as Lord and are therefore indwelled by God’s Holy Spirit which teaches them many things, can benefit from getting more wisdom. No amount of God’s wisdom is enough. We ought to seek more and more.

As we read God’s Word and meditate on it with hearts that genuinely want to grow in his knowledge and grace (2 Peter 3:18), we will find that God imparts more and more wisdom to us. Our eyes keep opening to more and more truth, which we find to be increasingly precious. Additionally, if we realize that we need more wisdom, we can boldly and humbly approach the throne of grace and ask God, our heavenly Father, for more of this. We must ask in faith though, truly wanting this wisdom (not just saying with our lips that we want it) and believing that God will grant us our request, even as Solomon genuinely placed his request before God, when invited to ask for something. He believed that God could give him this wisdom and he wanted it badly, hence the reason why he asked for it. God then rewarded him with it and more.

James 1: 5-8 advises those who believe on Jesus Christ and are saved:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Of the benefits to be obtained from getting this wisdom, which is why it ought to be prioritized over every other earthly acquisition or so-called benefit in life, Solomon, who had actually received wisdom from God and moreso than any other man that had ever lived, endeavoured to have his son, who he loved, also pursue after wisdom, as the principal or main thing. He wanted his son to understand that serving God and seeking after his wisdom was the most important aspiration in life. In short, with all his getting, he wanted his son to GET WISDOM, even as Proverbs 4:7 states. In fact, it was in his instructions to his Son, that Proverbs 4:7 was written!

In other scriptures in Proverbs, Solomon sought to impress upon his son the great benefits to be obtained from pursuing after wisdom as the principal thing. He told him for example, in Proverbs 2:

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.”

In Proverbs 1:1-8, 33 and 35, it also reads of Solomon’s advice:

“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck… But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”

In Proverbs 3:13-18 and 21-26, Solomon further told his son, him having experienced the truth of it:

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her…My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken… The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”

In Chapter 4:5-13 and 20-22 of Proverbs, Solomon guides his son, once again emphasizing the significance of GETTING WISDOM:

“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life… My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”

Solomon also identifies some of the principals that a person who has obtained God’s wisdom will and should operate by. These are principals that the world and especially those who consider themselves as having much earthly (not heavenly) wisdom, may consider foolish but it is the best way to live and will bring lasting blessings.

He warns his Son for example:

To pay heed to the instructions given by godly parents (Ch. 1:8-9; 4:1-4);
To avoid succumbing to peer pressure and to remove himself from people, friends and associations who are wicked and intent on doing wrong or evil (Ch. 1: 11-19;4:14-19, 27);
To not be greedy or too eager to obtain riches and at all costs (Ch. 1: 18-19);
To be merciful and to cling to that which is true (Ch. 3:3-4);
To trust in the Lord always, as opposed to his own understanding and to acknowledge him in all his ways so that he would direct his path (Ch. 3:5-6);
To abandon self-wisdom and to instead, fear God, which is the beginning of wisdom (Ch. 3:7-8);
To honour the Lord by giving to him the first of all of his increase (Ch. 3:9-10);
To not hate God’s chastening hand upon him or to grow tired when he is allowing suffering or hardship to correct him (Ch. 3:11-12);
To not refrain from or delay in giving what is due to others, once he is able and have the opportunity to give it (Ch. 3:27-28);
To not concoct mischief or wickedness against his neighbour, given that he has trusted that he is genuinely for him and for his welfare (Ch. 3:29);
To not fight against someone for no proper reason when he has done him nothing (Ch. 3: 30);
To not envy those who oppress others and to not adopt any of their ways (Ch. 3:31-34);
To guard his heart diligently, not allowing any and everything to enter into it, as the issues of life arise from what is in the heart (Ch. 4:23);
To put far away from his presence, those that speak forwardly (proudly) and perversely (Ch. 4:24);
To stay focused on his life journey without being distracted (Ch. 4:25, 27);
To think and carefully consider, before moving forward rashly in a particular direction (Ch. 4:25);
To not give in to the temptation, beauty, seductive, enticing and deceitful lures of any woman so as to enter into sexual immorality, whether this be fornication or adultery (Ch. 5:3-13; 6:23-29, 32-35);
To stay within the moral boundaries of what belongs to him, by partaking sexually of only what his wife has to offer (Ch. 5:15-23);
To not give himself over to slothfulness and sleep but to be diligent in whatever work his hands find to do (Ch. 6:4-11).

Of the world’s view of God’s wisdom (including his plan for salvation by faith in Jesus Christ) and that, in their pride, it is generally considered, to their detriment, as foolishness, the Bible states of the superiority of God’s wisdom:

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption”. (1 Corinthians 1:18-30)

In conclusion, you may have gotten a lot of things in life so far and aim to get many more. If you are single, you may be aiming to GET A BOYFRIEND and to GET MARRIED. If you are experiencing financial trouble, you may be aspiring to GET MORE MONEY or to GET A BETTER JOB. You may be trying to GET A HOUSE, or to GET A CAR or to GET YOURSELF IN BETTER SHAPE HEALTH-WISE. Whatever you are endeavouring to get in this life, even if it is good, remember Solomon’s words to his son, which are timeless. Remember, in all your getting, to GET WISDOM and to GET UNDERSTANDING, if you truly want to live a joyous, long, productive and successful life.

When you focus on getting all these things which the world has to offer, to the exclusion of GETTING WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING which are most important, you miss the mark, you miss the meaning of life and you therefore live a wasted life. All who have focused on getting these things, while ignoring GOD’S WISDOM, have grown to live a life of regret and of failure because in pursuing after the wrong things or the right things but in the wrong order, they ended up with colossal losses, shame, disgrace and dishonour. Some, sadly, focused on gaining the whole world and ended up realizing upon dying, that they had lost their own soul.

In Luke 12:15, Jesus warned his disciples, “…Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” In Mark 8:36, he asked the rhetorical question, highlighting the futility of the life that runs after and tries to grasp everything in life but fails to prioritize and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

(Written on 19th June, 2025)

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