The Wisdom of Solomon
Solomon has been renowned the world over for his wisdom. II Chronicles 1:7-13 provides us a window into the prayerful exchange between Elohiym God and Solomon, anointed to follow his father David’s reign as king over Israel. The bestowing of wisdom began when God appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” (verse 7)
So he did, for Solomon was the son of a king and knew protocol; in essence, the right thing to say. Did he impress God with his request? One can read God’s response and perhaps come to that conclusion –
God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.” (verses 11-12)
And all God’s people said, “Wow”. Wisdom seems to have come front-loaded with all Solomon could ever hope, want, or need. Remember, God chose Solomon and all that God pronounced was fulfilled. Does it matter what Solomon did in the course of his lifetime with his granted request for wisdom? The end tells.
Though Solomon unarguably achieved everything to which he put his mind and hand, in the end of his life the earthly mechanics of wisdom overshadowed the heavenly heart of Wisdom – God’s gift to Solomon.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:17)
James and The Wisdom That Comes from Heaven
I believe James, the half-brother of Jesus, received a special anointing from Holy Spirit where wisdom was concerned. As a result of looking more deeply at Wisdom, I do not doubt she was present as he wrote.
In the third chapter of James’ epistle, we again hear Lady Wisdom’s voice as she further defines, in communion with Proverbs 8, her own design – the seven pillars upon which rests all our unique designs. And like Solomon, our motivations and approaches to the outworking of our passion, purpose, and life endeavors.
Here is what James wrote through the inspiration of Holy Spirit, with Wisdom –
Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure;
then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
(James 3:13-18 NIV)
Wisdom’s own Pattern of Seven
It was a James 1:17 moment the morning I read a few chapters later the above passage in his epistle. I had been here many times before with the markings in my Bible of prior visits. The Word of God is active and alive and Holy Spirit’s timing impeccable. I had already written about Lady Wisdom a year earlier and more recently, the pattern of seven in the Bible.
Trained to look for patterns in general and now, patterns of seven in God’s Word, I had an aha moment. Those are often practical, by the way. I wondered, so I counted. Seven. Then I went a step further and recounted them against the seven redemptive gifts, in order. They fit. Let’s review:
Prophet – the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all, pure (holy, sacred, clean, physically pure / morally blameless)
Servant – then peace-loving (quiet, rest, set at one again)
Teacher – considerate (appropriate, mild, gentle, patient)
Exhorter – submissive (reasonable, willing to yield, easy to be entreated)
Giver – full of mercy and good fruit (replete with compassion and beneficial fruit)
Ruler – impartial and sincere (to distinguish without partiality / separate thoroughly, and unfeigned / without pretense or hypocrisy, “without wax”)
Mercy – peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness (those who set at one again, who extend / scatter / sow peace, receive / reap the fruit of righteousness, which is equity in character or act)
(Note: Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries provide the parenthetical descriptors)
For More Growing in Wisdom …
Our Father of lights – the same one Solomon had – does not change, though the winds of time attempt to shift like shadows God’s reality and truth. He still comes to us in the night season to say what He said to Solomon, “Ask what I shall give you.” Our present lives have no less need than Solomon did in his time.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)
Father God did not find fault with Solomon when he asked for wisdom; rather, He commended him.
Solomon’s end was the result of using God’s gift of wisdom for excess external endowment, with the knowledge and resources also given. God’s kind intention was that Solomon would find the greater gift to be a heart of wisdom inspired and compelled by the Holy Spirit. Birthright fulfillment not frustrated futility.
We are transformed by the renewing of how we think and perceive God’s design of our life.
This is the work of Holy Spirit who brings to bear within Wisdom, who is the mind of God.~ ncb
I encourage you to utilize this article, especially Wisdom’s own pattern of seven, alongside the seven redemptive gifts checklists. Ask Holy Spirit, who faithfully administers the will of the Father, to move you with enabling grace to embrace your design for redemptive living in the wisdom that comes from heaven.
~ Nancy
Click here for a printable PDF of this article: The Wisdom That Comes from Heaven
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