The Education of the Righteous
To know wisdom and instruction; to understand words of insight; to accept instruction in prudent behavior, to do what is right, and just, and fair Proverbs 1:2-3
To Know – What does it mean “to know wisdom?” Well, if you’re Greek, it means you apprehend information associated with a subject. In this case, the subject is wisdom so I might conclude that knowing wisdom is knowing what I need to make life work the way it should. In the Greek world, people would call me wise if I were able to make the correct decisions. Usually we associate wisdom with moral values. A wise man is one who discerns correctly the difference between what is right and what is wrong. So, from a Greek perspective, to know wisdom is to know the difference between good and evil. Is this beginning to sound familiar?
How does this explanation change if I step into the Hebrew world? After all, the proverbs of Solomon are not written from a Greek perspective. The emphasis shifts dramatically, from apprehending the information about good and evil to experiencing the practice of making godly choices. In the Hebrew worldview, I know when I do. Therefore, knowledge comes about as a result of action, not intellectual apprehension. To know wisdom is not to gather the facts about what is right and what it wrong. To know wisdom is to act justly. Until my thinking turns into acting, I don’t really know. Knowing is the process of personally internalizing what I become aware of so that my behavior is transformed accordingly. For the Hebrew, knowing is always personal. It is not fact-gathering. It is altering how I live.
This difference is essential to understanding the New Testament’s concept of “knowing the Christ.” If my life is not altered, if there are no signs of transformation according to the character of Yeshua, then from a Hebrew point of view, I never knew Him. My claim to apprehend the facts about Jesus means nothing. Unless my life changes, I don’t know who He is.
Now this shift has implications for understanding God’s Word too. It implies wisdom comes after relationship, not before it. It implies knowing God is the same as aligning my life with His direction. In other words, obedience precedes understanding. I obey in order to understand, not because I understand. As long as I withhold obedience, I will be left in the dark. I cannot gain wisdom until I first obey.
This is entirely backwards from our Greek-based epistemology (how we know). In the Greek world, we collect the information before we make a decision. But in the Hebrew world, we decide before we understand. Think about that for a minute. It seems crazy. How can I know what to decide unless I have first gathered the facts? Who would ever propound a theory about the functions of the universe without first observing facts about the universe? This sort of backwards science leads to theories like the flat earth and alchemy. Does the Bible really suggest science should be done without regard to the facts?
Of course not! But the epistemology of the Bible is not interested in the scientific method. It is interested in holiness. And when it comes to holiness, I cannot answer the question, “What must I do to be in right relationship with God?” by first examining the facts about me and the world. To answer this question, I must submit to His declaration before I can understand spiritual transformation. In other words, when it comes to holiness, the answer is revealed to me, not discovered by me. Therefore, I know only after I obey. I accept God’s evaluation and judgment rather than my own. I trust His Word rather than my determination. Then He reveals the rest to me.
If you ever wonder why there are so many people who say, “I tried reading the Bible but it didn’t make any sense to me,” now you know the answer. Obedience comes first. God comes to me, confronts me and asks for my obedience. Until I accept His request, nothing will make much sense. After I obey, I discover insights that were there all the time but hidden from my view.
Do you want to know wisdom? Start where God is asking you to submit to Him. There is no use trying to get around it. If you want to know the Truth, you must first do the truth shown to you.
Topical Index: know, wisdom, epistemology, obedience, da’at, Proverbs 1:2
I am taking the liberty of pasting a “Daily Word” from the ministry of Steve Troxel, here. I say liberty because I have not asked his permission to do so, but it is so pertinent to Skip’s entry today that I trust he will forgive me. The link is closerwalk@gdwm.org
I would encourage others to check out his site. His writings are different from Skip’s in that they are not intended to ‘go deep”, but, like Skip’s, they are an encouragement and exhortation to keep the faith!
He writes:
“Six hundred years ago, there were groups of people who believed the earth was flat. In fact they didn’t just believe the earth was flat, they “knew” the earth was flat. Because of this belief, they also believed it was impossible to sail around the world. Of course, their view was warped and limited since it was built upon knowledge which was not based in truth.
What knowledge and “facts” form our view of the world today? We probably have a better understanding of the physical workings of our world, but what knowledge determines how we view our life? Do we begin with the unlimited power and sovereignty of God, an understanding of eternity, the consequences of sin, and the saving grace of Jesus Christ?
If we allow our beliefs to be formed by the world system, our view of life will always remain limited. Rather than seeing God’s loving hand at work in our life and clearly recognizing His tools of transformation, we will see only unnecessary suffering and the apparent absence of God; “The fear {or holy reverence} of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).
Clearly, God is calling us to a closer and more meaningful relationship: calling us to love Him and trust Him more. But we will never truly grow closer until we examine the foundation of our beliefs; “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The entire Universe, and certainly our life, was formed by God and continues to exist because of His grace. To believe anything less is to fail to understand God and fail to believe His Word.
Spiritual understanding is gained through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit as we diligently pray and study God’s Word. Initially, our prayers may seem empty and His Word full of disjoint stories which don’t seem to apply; but if we continue to seek with all our heart, He will reveal His truth and we will soon begin to understand.
Proverbs 2:3-5
“If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
God has gifted us with the ability to learn, the power to seek, and the freedom to choose how we use our time. Let’s use His gift to find the knowledge of God based on the reverence of His name. Let’s build a world view which is consistent with God’s Word and will stand the test of eternity. Let’s refuse to limit God, and forevermore base our lives on the foundation of truth.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries”
P.S. Why am I able to post fairly extensive comments on both of Skip’s entries today? Because I’m proctoring a calculus exam!
Perhaps if we all had this perspective we would survive like the Jews have. Is it a wonder that they are only one percent of the population that has been systematically persecuted with the intent of annihilation and yet they have survived?
“Start where God is asking you to submit to Him.
There is no use trying to get around it.
If you want to know the Truth, you must first do the truth shown to you.”
Hi Skip,
I was sort of meditating the wisdom of your “command,” and wondering what to do next.
Then thought of “Christ Centered Day” from John’s excellent posting from above.
In an attempt to integrate the two concept with the command and transform them into action, let me propose the following and see what you think:
1 Start with the notion that our Christ Center is our True Self as opposed to our false self, the ego.
2 Accept whatever situation we find ourselves in as a gift from God and act according to His Law.
3 See every moment as an opportunity to find the truth by serving others and the will of God.
Not trying to say that we are capable of executing the perfect plan, but if could focus on the three things above would we ever miss the mark?
I certainly hope your students arrive at a spiritual calculus for life as well.
Thanks, John. A good read.
Great commentary Skip!
Fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom! This fear spoken of however is one that results in submission to an eternal and everlasting ELOHIM! As Skip points out … submission is “active”. Wisdom itself begins with the simple act of bowing down … laying down our pride to the King of Kings. Anything mentalized before this process …. is not wisdom … in a Biblical context.
Oh how smart and smug was I for years with all of my theological training? …. But all of this purported wisdom did nothing to keep sin from ruling over me.
Praise Adonai that He is merciful and brings down the prideful! … Ahmein!