What’s the wisest first step?

In Lifeline we’ve been working through the book of Proverbs. It’s been an enlightening journey. One of the amazing word pictures in Proverbs is what wisdom really is. Wisdom in the Hebrew mind isn’t just knowledge, but it’s a tangible skill. The word translated as wisdom in other parts of the Old Testament are also translated as a tangible skill, like stonework, metal work, or working with materials. In the same way those professionals have a tangible skill to craft something, “wisdom” is a tangible skill to craft something – how to live life well according to God in His universe.

That’s why Solomon, who’s wisdom is really the source of a lot of the wisdom literature in the Bible, says this –

"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

In this world where people are going to do whatever is right in their own minds, and there is so much uncertainty, how do you know what to do and how to live? Have the right skill to live this life – and that’s what Proverbs describes as wisdom. That’s why Solomon says things like – though it cost you everything you have, it’s more precious than treasure, it will save you and lead you to life – because the wisest first step in life is to find wisdom. And the source of that wisdom is God Himself.  This is also why God rewarded Solomon because he chose the right thing in his first step leading Israel – to have wisdom.

Of all the things we pursue, do we pursue wisdom? When we purse God and His wisdom, we actually gain a tangible skill to live life well in this world because it is the world God created. Wisdom leads us down a path that brings understanding, but even more than that – Solomon says it brings us down the very path of life itself.

Pastor Steve