spirtwsd.htm

The Spirit of Wisdom

Part One

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,; (Ephesians 1:17-18)

For close on two thousand years Christian men and women have been studying the Scriptures. Many of them spent most of their lives in the service of God and of them not a few have written down what was revealed to them, or what they had discovered.
Many thousand papyruses, scrolls, screeds, documents, articles, sermons and books have been written on subjects, both worldly and spiritual, that are contained in this one book.
It can only be God's Instruction Manual; and how we react to it and the commands therein show in our thoughts, actions and writings.
Some state that Peter had this form of writing and Paul had that - that may be - but God's will is done, which should enable everyone firstly to come to the knowledge of the truth, the eyes of our understanding being opened, and thereupon to eat of the spiritual food, to know the riches of the glory that our heavenly Father has lovingly provided for those of us who diligently search for it.

Dear disciple, if you have followed the path that was set out for this writer by studying the articles in this series in chronological order, as well as progressing on your own pilgrimage, God's manifestations that Jesus of Nazareth promised us should be no stranger to you.

It is hoped that God's spiritual disclosures are so familiar to you, even more so than is described below, that His presence can be identified and accepted and He, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit can be glorified in the revelations to follow, and we can learn more of His revealed mysteries.

Before we get properly started, let's look at a few ground rules that must always be borne in mind.

It has been described in other writings how as a very young Christian I heard a spiritual voice enunciating the words "Read 2 John" a few hours before a very traumatic spiritual experience. The few spoken words were the rock of foundation that eventually caused a severance from the charismatic movement and the resultant writing ministry.
Also, one very cold June night, after being called out of a nice warm bed, the page of the Bible that was being studied was turned back for a spiritual reason while I was momentarily distracted.
More recently, a gardening fork and spade were removed from our gardening shed and neatly laid out on the path outside, parallel to the door.
One of our dogs, a large Rhodesian Ridgeback type is a compulsive digger and it was our habit to chain him up at night because this was when he did the damage to our garden. On dozens of occasions over a period of months, it was found in the morning that he was loose from the chain but stayed in the vicinity of where he had been chained up! He could not have loosed himself and there was nothing wrong with the chain or the catch.
We live in an old house that still has a boundary wall with a gate before the driveway. On very many occasions has it happened that when one of us goes down to open the gate to let someone else in or out to save them the trouble of getting out and then in the car again, another vehicle arrives at the same time. The two vehicles virtually meet at the gate and the gate opener has to direct traffic for a few minutes. Once we had a missionary to Malawi (Hi, Randall) stay with us for a couple of days and on arrival at the house for the first time, our eldest son and family were just on their way out, talking to mother at the gate and we had to wait while the driveway was cleared. When it was explained to Randall that this was a spiritual phenomenon of encouragement to us, his eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline. He never said what he thought. On the third instance that this happened in those few days, Randall just laughed.
When was the last time that this happened? Last Sunday as Darryl was leaving, after our meeting together in the name of Christ Jesus.
Sorry, the last time was five minutes ago as I helped my crippled brother-in-law out the gate.

One reason for the continuing evidence of God's presence is that He is thanked and glorified.

The motive for explaining the above is to lay the foundation for the following occurrence, so that those who can, shall see our Lord's hand therein.

Less than a week ago, this Scripture came to the fore once again:: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.; (James 1:5)
And this one:: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.; (James 1:13-14)
A couple of days later:: Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.; (James 3:13-14); This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.; (James 3:15); But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.; (James 3:17-18)
We see that wisdom is something that we can ask for; also we see the rewards of wisdom.

Now comes the supernatural part that you should be able to identify with.
At about 1.30 this morning, being sleepless, and going into my study, a copy of the article "Let us Cleanse Ourselves" was noticed in the back right hand corner of the usually untidy desk. Knowing that a hard copy of each article is placed in a box file for possible need at a later stage, it was puzzling to find a further copy here. Picking it up "at random" to find out what subject had been covered, the following two Scripture passages jumped out at me.: Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.; (2 Chronicles 18:18-21); That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,; (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Now firstly, concerning the above Scriptures:
I'm pretty sure that I was not aware of the significance of the similarity in those two Scriptures, but that it was by the power of the Holy Spirit that those particular passages were chosen and written for that article at that time.
Secondly, concerning the hard copy that was on the desk:
On going to the box file later this morning, it was discovered that the article had been written twenty one months ago. Moreover, there were no holes punched in the paper for filing purposes, so this copy had been printed for another reason. On questioning my wife it was determined that she had not placed the article there, in fact had never seen it before.

Now the questions must be asked.
Is it likely that an extra copy was printed at any time? Yes.
Is it probable that an article would remain on the top of a pile of papers for twenty one months? No.
Is it probable that anyone else came into the study, shuffled through the pile of papers that the article could have been in, selected it and then placed it on the top? No to all counts.
In the light of the evidence of the Lord's presence in my life, is it possible that the hard copy was printed and placed there supernaturally? Most definitely.

Should the above be true, it's then apparent that I was prompted to pick up that article in the quiet of the night and read it so that the connection between all the Scriptures could be made.

I was once fortunate enough to visit that beautiful city, San Francisco, and taking a tour in a minibus to Yosemite it shall always be remembered how we drove through a tunnel, coming suddenly out into this wonderfully beautiful vista of the Yosemite valley. The names of a few of the various features are still familiar after some sixteen years.
In like manner, it's hoped that you can also discern the sudden spiritual vista that has been laid out, to learn more from the Lord about wisdom and how we receive it.

Firstly, using that indispensable tool, Strong's Concordance, let's see where else in the Bible the words spirit and wisdom come together in relation to each other and by reading the Scriptures in context see if we can learn anything else.
: And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.; (Exodus 28:1-3)
: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;; (Exodus 31:1-6)
: And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.; (Exodus 35:30-35)
: And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.; (Deuteronomy 34:9)
: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.; (Isaiah 11:1-5)
: And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.; (Luke 2:25-40)
: For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;; (1 Corinthians 12:8)
This is one of the Spiritual gifts, is it different to the other examples in any way?

Now let us take the two subjects, wisdom and spirit separately and determine what we can about them to our advantage and to the glory of God. May the Holy Spirit reveal to us severally what He will, to enable each of us to be effective soldiers for His eternal purpose.

Wisdom
Here are just a few allusions to this word. References to the words wise, wiser etc. are excluded for brevity's sake.
: And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.; (Exodus 35:26)
: Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded. And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:; (Exodus 36:1-2)
: Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.; (Deuteronomy 4:1-6)
: And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.; (2 Samuel 14:19-20)
: In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.; (1 Kings 3:5-14)
: And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.; (1 Kings 4:29-34)
: But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee. Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.; (1 Chronicles 22:8-13)
King David speaking to his son. We see here that David asked the LORD to bless him with wisdom.
: Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.; (Psalms 37:27-31)
: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.; (Psalms 111:10)
: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.; (Proverbs 9:10)
: My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.; (Proverbs 2:1-9)
: When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;; (Proverbs 2:10-12)
: The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. ¶ The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. ¶ The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. ¶ He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. ¶ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.; (Proverbs 15:29-33)
: Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.; (Daniel 2:14-23)
: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!; (Romans 11:33)
: For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.; (1 Corinthians 1:17-31)
: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.; (1 Corinthians 2:1-10)
: For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.; (Colossians 2:1-3)
: Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.; (2 Peter 3:14-16)
: And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.; (Revelation 5:9-13)
: After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.; (Revelation 7:9-12)

We can now get a fair idea of what the Lord God means when the word wisdom is mentioned. We can see how and from whom it comes, the blessings that flow therefrom and the other benefits that are available.

We also see that knowledge is given and the wisdom of how to use it, to bless the recipient and glorify God.

For knowledge and wisdom on the subject of spirits, see Part Two