The beginning of knowledge and wisdom
Tiepolo
Born of King David and Bathsheba in 990 BC, Solomon was known for his wisdom and success.[1] He became the third King of Israel in 970 BC and his reign ended with his death 931 BC[2]. His Hebrew name means “peace” and after the first year of his reign, peace reigned throughout the land for many years. A peace that had not been seen for hundreds of years. [3]
Other meanings for the name Solomon include recompense and completeness. It comes from the verb “shalem” which means to be or make whole or complete.[4]
[1] (Solomon Asks for Wisdom, 2019)
[2] (Hunter, 2012)
[3] (Solomon Asks for Wisdom, 2019)
[4] (Solomon meaning, 2019)
The meanings of completeness and recompense; they come in to play when you see the many splendid building projects Solomon completed and how he developed many cities and strongholds. Israel also prospered greatly under his reign. He was paid for his advice and given gifts of gold, silver, gems and the like in copious amounts. In fact, it is rumored that King Solomon alone, would have had a personal fortune of over $2 trillion today.[1] He was a modern day consultant.
How did he get this wisdom? In Kings 1 3:5 we read “At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1Kings 3:9 God then replied, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 1 Kings 3:11-14[2]
[1] (The 20 richest people of all time, 2017)
[2] (Jeremiah, 1973)
The word Proverbs or in the original Hebrew “mashal”, means proverb, parable, and sentences of ethical wisdom and ethical maxims.[1] We read in the Encyclopedia Britannica that they are, “ Typically a pithy, easily memorized aphoristic saying based on experience and universal in application, the mashal in its simplest and oldest form was a couplet in which a definition was given in two parallel lines related to each other either antithetically or synthetically.”[2]
Let’s find out what Solomon’s first mashal was?
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7
|
The fear |
Yir’ah |
|
Of the Lord |
Yehovah |
|
Is the beginning |
Re’shiyth |
|
Of knowledge |
Da’ath[3] |
Wow, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge! This phrase shows up 808 times in 110 verses.[4] People get hung up on the word “fear” because we equate it with today’s understanding that we should be afraid because the Lord is bad, mean, or harsh. But this is not the case. Fear or the Hebrew form “Yirah” is a feminine noun that also means “reverence”, “piety”, and my favourite “stand in awe of”.[5]
It stands to reason that if God gave Solomon knowledge and wisdom. God would have it in spades. He knows everything. We gain it by reading the Bible and applying its’ principles. The short primer is provided to us by Solomon.
Jan Metejko, Stancyzyk
The second part of the couplet gives us something to really sink our teeth into.
“Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
|
Fools |
‘eviyl |
|
Despise |
Buwz |
|
Wisdom |
Chokmah |
|
And instruction |
muwar[1] |
Do you know of anyone who just doesn’t learn, dislikes correction, will never listen?
How about people who know it all, have tons of opinions and no experience?
Or those who Argue about everything but have no leg to stand on?
The word used for fool is ‘eviyl, which is a masculine adjective meaning, be foolish, foolish, of one who despises wisdom, of one who mocks when guilty, of one who is quarrelsome, or of one who is licentious.[2]
Of course, these types of people may or may not be like this all the time. But it never fails to be noticed when they open their mouth and say something.
Chokmah is a feminine noun and the original word for wisdom. Its’ detailed definition is
- skill (in war)
- wisdom (in administration)
- shrewdness, wisdom
- wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)
- wisdom (ethical and religious)[3]
But I love what I read in Precept Austin; “Someone once quipped that "Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it."
J. I. Packer said that "Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it."
John Calvin wrote that "True wisdom consists principally of two parts: the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of ourselves!
Vance Havner said "If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is proper use of knowledge."
Adrian Rogers said, "Wisdom is the ability to see life from God's point of view."[4]
Why would someone despise wisdom, what is to be gained by that? Doesn’t it make sense to do everything that you can to attain it?
[1] (Proverbs 1 :: New International Version (NIV), 2019)
[2] ('eviyl, 2019)
[3] (Chokmah, 2019)
[4] (Chokmah, 2019)
Nothing is always what it seems. The Hebrew word for instruction is “muwcar” or “musar”. It is so much more than merely instruction; it encompasses both the yin and yang of learning – the offering of knowledge and the chastisement or correction if the understanding isn’t used properly. [1]
“My son, hear the instruction (musar) of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8).
“chastening (musar) of the LORD your God, His greatness and His mighty hand and outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 11:2)
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement (musar) for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
When we look at all of this put together we see that Solomon created (or was given) a set of precepts to live life by. More importantly, these are maxims on how to treat others, your family, friends, colleagues, employees, particularly yourself. Basically we have a roadmap on how to live our lives, a rule book on what is right and wrong, and ways to govern ourselves.
And how does it start?
- Being in absolute awe and reverence of God our Father.
- Immerse ourselves in gaining wisdom and putting it into practice
- Be humble
- Get to know and appreciate yourself
- Think before acting
- Base all of your decisions on solid values
- Learn from your mistakes
- Share your wisdom
- Accept and appreciate instruction
- Learn how to take direction and instruction
- Learn how to be systematic and have structure
- Learn how to take discipline and criticism gracefully
- Learn how to learn from your mistakes
All of these ideas are the basis to be successful in life, relationships, and business.
[1] (Pope, 2002)
