Dangers of Human Wisdom in Understanding God's Character
The Dangers of Human Wisdom in Understanding God's Character
The biblical account warns against relying solely on human wisdom to comprehend God's character, emphasizing that divine wisdom surpasses human understanding [1]. The book of Job highlights this theme, as Elihu cautions against thinking that human wisdom can fully grasp God's ways, stating, "Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;'" (Job 32:13) [3]. This warning underscores the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine wisdom.
The apostle Paul expands on this idea in 1 Corinthians, noting that "the world through its wisdom did not know God" (1 Corinthians 1:21, Geneva1599) [4]. Human wisdom is insufficient to understand God's character, and it is through the "foolishness of preaching" that people come to faith [4]. Paul further emphasizes that "a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (1 Corinthians 2:14, NASB) [2]. This highlights the spiritual blindness that can result from relying solely on human wisdom.
The dangers of human wisdom are also evident in the way it can lead to a fear of man rather than a fear of God. The biblical account encourages believers to "fear not them which kill the body" but rather to "fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28, not directly cited but referenced in [6]). Isaiah 8:11-15 illustrates this, contrasting fear of the Lord with fear of people. Those who fear people will find the Lord to be a "trap and destruction," while those who fear the Lord will find Him to be a sanctuary [6].
In contrast to human wisdom, divine wisdom is described as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, unsearchable, and wonderful [5]. The biblical account attributes these qualities to God's character, emphasizing that His wisdom is beyond human comprehension (Psalm 139:6) [5]. The book of Proverbs also highlights the importance of fearing the Lord, stating that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10, referenced in [7]).
The interpretation of these biblical themes is reflected in various Christian traditions. For instance, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Job 28:12 notes that divine wisdom is a person distinct from God, later revealed to be Jesus Christ, the Almighty Word [8]. Similarly, Matthew Henry's commentary on Proverbs 1:20 emphasizes that God's calls to humanity come through wisdom, which cries out to people [9].
The contrast between human and divine wisdom has significant implications for understanding God's character. While human wisdom may lead to a self-sufficient and prideful attitude, divine wisdom encourages humility and reverence for God. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, God's wisdom is "beyond human comprehension" and "incomparable" [5]. Recognizing the limitations of human wisdom and the superiority of divine wisdom is essential for a correct understanding of God's character.
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 1:25 (LEB) — For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
- 1 Corinthians “1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB) — But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”
- Job “Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;’ -- Job 32:13”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 1:21 (Geneva1599) — For seeing the worlde by wisedome knewe not God in the wisedome of GOD, it pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that beleeue:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 8:11: 8:11-15 This text reveals the heart of Isaiah’s message. The issue was fear of the Lord versus fear of people (see 7:9; 8:6). When an individual fears people, the Lord becomes a trap and destruction is certain (cp. Prov 29:25; see “Fearing People” Theme Note). For those who fear the Lord, he becomes a sanctuary; their salvation is assured.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 28:12: Can man discover the Divine Wisdom by which the world is governed, as he can the treasures hidden in the earth? Certainly not. Divine Wisdom is conceived as a person (Job 28:12-27) distinct from God (Job 28:23; also in Pro 8:23, Pro 8:27). The Almighty Word, Jesus Christ, we know now, is that Wisdom. The order of the world was originated and is maintained by the breathing forth (Spirit) of Wisdom, unfathomable and unpurchasable by man. In Job 28:28, the only aspect of it, which relates to, and may be understood by, man, is stated. understanding--insigh”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 1:20: Solomon, having shown how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here shows how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God, which we shall for ever rue the neglect of. Observe, I. By whom God calls to us - by wisdom. It is wisdom that crieth without. The word is plural - wisdoms, for, as there is infinite wisdom in God, so there is the manifold wisdom of God, Eph 3:10. God speaks to the children of men by all the kinds of wisdom, and, as in every will, so in every word, of God there is a counsel. 1. Human understanding is wisdom, the lig”