wisdom

There are a lot of definitions of wisdom floating around these days – you know, “Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.” Or “Wisdom is using knowledge to come to good conclusions.” All of the definitions I’ve seen, though, miss a key part: wisdom is given by God.

We think first of Solomon when we think of God-given wisdom, but today I’m reading in Daniel, and it’s right there in Daniel 1:17: “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.” Daniel and his friends were literally wise beyond their years, because God chose to make them that way. And they prospered in the courts of the Babylonian king.

Until the king had bad dreams, and no one could help him. In his fear and rage, he ordered the execution of all of his wise advisers, including the four young men from Israel. And here’s where we see wisdom in action, in Daniel 2:14-15:

“When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, ‘Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?’ Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.”

Note that part of wisdom here is tact – that’s another thing not in high favor these days. What we consider wisdom is usually accompanied by arrogance. But Daniel’s tact won him an explanation, and then there was something he could do. Daniel had been blessed, remember, to understand dreams.

But here’s another glimpse of what wisdom looks like. Before he secured himself by interpreting the dream for the king, Daniel praised God for this gift of wisdom – here it is, in Daniel 2:20-23:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him.

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

I think part of wisdom is acknowledging where your wisdom came from. And if you think it came from anywhere but God, then you aren’t really wise.

I don’t know that I’m a wise person, but I have prayed to God for wisdom and in those cases he granted it. That’s good enough, and it helps keep me close to God.