The Lord Gives!

"For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6 NIV).

No matter how smart or intelligent some people may think they are, without the wisdom the Lord gives, a person really has nothing. As Solomon points out in this verse of scripture, when the Lord gives wisdom--a person obtains knowledge and understanding.

If a person is given a Mercedes Benz--handed the keys to the car--but they do not know how to drive, what purpose does the gift serve? In order for the gift to benefit the receiver, the person receiving the gift must have understanding about what to do with it.

When students read--all of their assignments--and yet are unable to comprehend what they have read, what do they have? Most students can identify words, but are incapable of understanding what the words mean within various contexts used.

Having knowledge--of words in simple contexts--is what has hindered many from truly understanding what God's Word means--not just what it says, but what He means. Most of the problems have risen due to the fact that many attempt to attach a literal meaning to every word; not realizing that a great deal of what is say, is analogous, or at the very least--figuratively used.

For instance (not seeking argument, just introspection of words), many would argue that Cain was a firstborn child and that he and Able were the first children produced by man. What people have failed to understand is that "they were the first children after the fall," before the fall, Adam and Eve were obedient in "multiplying" as God had commanded. If people understood the context and had inference skills, they would know that when Cain left the presence of God after killing Abel and took a wife in another town, there would have to be people in another place for it to be called a "town." We would also know that there is no specific timeline involved with the events in the garden and one can only surmise that Adam and Eve were in the garden for many years before they were disobedient.

This is just one of many concepts in "Genesis" (the record of firsts or beginnings) that have misled a number of people and hindered their understanding of the bible. If when we read The Word, seek God for understanding, then He would provide it and we would have the wisdom of God operating in our lives. What He gives--His wisdom--cannot be measured with the head knowledge that some espouse, but has to be measured with the heart and the relationship one has with Him.

Father, in the name of Jesus, pour out Your wisdom upon all who are willing to receive so we might truly operate in the wisdom You give. Your wisdom--You give freely to all who ask--provides insight into all problems and lead to solutions which bring peace. Help us to walk in Your wisdom.