The wisest person ever to walk on this earth was a man who lived and died thousands of years ago: King Solomon of Israel. Solomon is known for many contrasting aspects of his life. He began as a humble successor attempting to do his best as the nation’s new king, went on to accomplish great things for Israel, and eventually was negatively influenced and carried away from the Lord. What Solomon is predominantly known for, however, is his immense knowledge and wisdom. People would come from all over to hear what this incredible king had to say. What made this man in particular so special? He was blessed with wisdom by God. This supernatural wisdom took shape in several ways, solving practical issues, having vast knowledge of trees and animals, and writing thousands of proverbs and songs (1 Kings 4).
Many of us would love to sit at the feet of such a man to glean just a portion of his vast wisdom and intellect. Fortunately for us, Solomon wrote down many spiritual lessons as proverbs compiled in an Old Testament book accessible to us. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman calling out to those passing by to follow her way that leads to life and security (Proverbs 1:33). That invitation should be hard for us to resist, and yet we often disregard the wise way for one of folly and sin. Many proverbs present us with two ways to choose between: the way of folly leading to hardship, sin, and death, or the way of wisdom leading to prosperity, righteousness, and life.
Wisdom serves as a guide to our lives. While we don’t know the future, wisdom sheds light on what the outcome of our decisions will be. Proverbs 4:18-19 describes the righteous path as one that gets brighter and brighter, like at dawn, and the wicked are portrayed as stumbling in the darkness. Wisdom gives us a special advantage and understanding. We learn the important truth that a path filled with sin and folly leads to trouble and harm. Fools who do not have wisdom cannot see where their paths will end up.
So how do we make sure we choose the right path? To answer that question, we can ask, “How did Solomon become as wise as he did?” In 1 Kings 3, God appears to Solomon with the promise to grant him whatever he wants. Instead of asking God for military success, riches, or power, he asks God for wisdom. This is the kind of attitude that is key to gaining understanding. Only those who desire learning and even correction are the ones who gain the wisdom leading even correction are the ones who gain the wisdom leading to life. Proverbs 4:7 says, “The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.” Solomon was wise enough to ask God for wisdom! That is how it begins. The one who is wise enough to ask for wisdom is the one who begins down the righteous path. Wisdom gives… “prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion, A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel…” (Proverbs 1:4-5). Those who reject understanding and refuse to learn only doom themselves to a life of stumbling and darkness.
James tells us, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him,” (James 1:5). The same God who answered the supplication of Solomon for wisdom and understanding is the one who can provide us with wisdom as well. We may not have the kind of vast knowledge about the world that Solomon did, but we can learn from wise people like Solomon to find the path that leads to light and life. Wisdom keeps us from becoming lost on a path that could lead to physical or spiritual harm. Wisdom shows us the path of the righteous. If this is the path we want to follow, we must sincerely and humbly seek wisdom from God. “The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.”
—Joshua Brown