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Illustrating God's Wisdom with Human Examples of Discernment

God's wisdom is an attribute described as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, unsearchable, wonderful, and beyond human comprehension [2]. The apostle Paul, in Romans 11:33, exclaims, "O the depth of the abundant wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out" [5]. This divine wisdom is the source from which all human wisdom is derived [2]. The book of Proverbs, for instance, is a collection of moral and philosophical maxims that emphasize the value of intelligence, prudence, and a good education, demonstrating that the Bible values common sense and discretion [7].

Human examples of discernment, often referred to as prudence or practical wisdom, illustrate aspects of God's broader wisdom. Prudence is intimately connected with wisdom [1] and involves the ability to understand and apply knowledge effectively. Those who possess prudence are celebrated for it [1], they acquire knowledge [1], deal with knowledge [1], carefully consider their actions [1], understand God's ways [1], understand their own paths [1], are crowned with knowledge [1], and are not ostentatious about their knowledge [1]. They foresee and avoid evil, and prudence preserves them [1].

One significant aspect of human discernment is the "fear of the Lord," which is presented as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom in Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10 [12]. This fear is not a cowering terror but a profound reverence and awe that leads to obedience and trust in God [8, 13]. It counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace [11]. Isaiah 8:13-15 highlights this by contrasting the fear of the Lord with the fear of people; fearing the Lord makes Him a sanctuary, while fearing people leads to destruction [9]. Similarly, 1 Peter 3:14-15 encourages believers to "worship Christ as Lord" to be free from the fear of human persecutors [10]. This reverence for God is a foundational element of true discernment, enabling individuals to navigate life's complexities with a divine perspective.

Diligence is another human quality that reflects God's wisdom. Christ himself is presented as an example of diligence [4]. God requires diligence in seeking Him, obeying Him, hearkening to Him, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, guarding one's soul and heart, engaging in labors of love, following good works, guarding against defilement, seeking to be found spotless, making one's calling and election sure, and in self-examination and lawful business [4]. This active pursuit of righteousness and understanding demonstrates a practical application of wisdom in daily life.

Meekness, exemplified by Christ [3], is also a fruit of the Spirit that contributes to discernment. Christ's teaching in Matthew 5:38-45 and His example in Isaiah 53:7 and Matthew 11:29 illustrate this quality [3]. Saints are encouraged to seek meekness, put it on, receive the word of God with it, exhibit it in conduct, answer for their hope with it, show it to all men, and restore the erring with it [3]. Ministers are likewise called to follow after meekness and instruct opposers with it [3]. Meekness is precious in God's sight [3] and allows for a humble reception of divine truth, which is essential for discerning God's will.

The concept of wisdom in the Bible is often personified. Proverbs 8, for instance, speaks of Wisdom crying out, offering understanding and prudence [15]. Matthew Henry interprets this Wisdom as Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" [15]. He further states that this wisdom is "Christ in the word and Christ in the heart," encompassing divine revelation and the soul formed by it [15]. John Gill, commenting on Proverbs 2, emphasizes the diligent search for divine things, comparing it to seeking silver and hidden treasure [14]. This pursuit involves embracing Gospel doctrines, retaining ordinances, inclining the ear, applying the heart, and earnestly desiring knowledge through prayer [14].

God's wisdom is also exhibited in His works [2]. The ingenuity in arts and sciences, even ornamental ones, is understood to come from God [16]. Exodus 28:3, for example, mentions that certain individuals were "filled with the spirit of wisdom" for crafting priestly garments, indicating that specialized knowledge and skill are divinely sourced [16]. This suggests that human creativity and practical skills, when used for good, reflect the wisdom of their Creator.

The wisdom of God is not merely theoretical but profoundly practical, guiding human actions and decisions. It is a wisdom that is "underived" [2], meaning it originates solely from God. While human wisdom is derived from God [2], it is often limited and fallible. The pursuit of divine wisdom involves a conscious effort to align one's understanding and actions with God's perfect and unsearchable ways [5]. This pursuit is not always easy; Ecclesiastes 1:13 describes the "sore travail" of searching for wisdom, which God has given to humble humanity [6].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
  2. 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. ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  5. Romans “Romans 11:33 (Tyndale) — O the depnes of the aboundaunt wysdome and knowledge of God: how vnserchable are his iudgementes and his wayes past findyng out.”
  6. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 1:13 (Geneva1599) — And I haue giuen mine heart to search and finde out wisdome by all things that are done vnder the heauen: (this sore trauaile hath GOD giuen to the sonnes of men, to humble them thereby)”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Proverbs, Book of — A collection of moral and philosophical maxims of a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth the "philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to us that the Bible does not despise common sense and discretion. It impresses upon us in the most forcible manner the value of intelligence and prudence and of a good education. The whole strength of the Hebrew language and of the sacred authority of the book is thrown upon these homely truths. It deals, too, in that refined, discriminating, careful view of the finer shades ”
  8. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 65:8: 65:8 All over the world (Job 38:13; see Ps 50:1-3), people should stand in awe of the Lord.”
  9. 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.”
  10. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:14: 3:14-15 or be afraid of their threats: See Isa 8:13, where God exhorts the prophet to fear nothing except the Lord. • worship Christ as Lord: By fearing Christ, they will be free from fear of their human persecutors.”
  11. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
  12. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
  13. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 8:13: Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.”
  14. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 2 This chapter directs to the means of attaining to the knowledge of divine things, and shows the profit and advantage arising from thence. The means are, embracing the doctrines of the Gospel, and retaining in memory and affection the ordinances of it, Pro 2:1; and an inclination of the ear and an application of the heart to the knowledge of these things, Pro 2:2. An earnest and importunate desire, expressed by prayer, after the same, Pro 2:3; and a diligent and unwearied search for them, as for silver and hid treasure, Pro 2:”
  15. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 8:12: Wisdom here is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word and Christ in the heart, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. It is the word of God, the whole compass of divine revelation; it is God the Word, in whom all divine revelation centres; it is the soul formed by the word; it is Christ formed in the soul; it is religion in the purity and power of it. Glorious things are here spoken of this excellent person, this excellent thing. I. Divine wisdom gives men good heads (Pro 8:12): I Wisdom”
  16. Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 28:3: Whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom - So we find that ingenuity in arts and sciences, even those of the ornamental kind, comes from God. It is not intimated here that these persons were filled with the spirit of wisdom for this purpose only; for the direction to Moses is, to select those whom he found to be expert artists, and those who were such, God shows by these words, had derived their knowledge from himself. Every man should be permitted as far as possible to follow the bent or direction of his own genius, when it evidently leads him to new inventions”
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