Read Proverbs 7:1-5

“Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin…” (Proverbs 7:4)

The words wisdom, understanding, instruction and knowledge are used collectively in the Proverbs 184 times. This does not include other similar words and idioms*.* Solomon so deeply wants his son to become a man, not of stature or of wealth or of fame, but of wisdom!

“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

If wisdom is the principle thing — then we must understand first and foremost what true wisdom is. When King Solomon spoke of wisdom, what did that mean? Why was it so important for him to get this message across to his son? We find the answer to the king’s desires at the onset of the Book of Proverbs.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 1:7; 2:6)

Wisdom alone belongs to God, and those who seek wisdom will inevitably find God. Our Almighty God is the prize and reward at the end of every path of wisdom, for in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (see Colossians 2:2-3). Solomon even goes so far as to personify wisdom as God Himself in the next chapter (see Proverbs 8:22-23).

Wisdom, in the Hebrew language, meant to have skill in war. What a beautiful and most perfect illustration. A man can own a sword, carry it around every day, and even wield it in practice — but that does not make him a warrior anymore than carrying around a frying pan would make him a cook. In order to develop true skill, he must go to war and experience the battlefield for himself. Talk to any military veteran who has gone to war and he will tell you that there is no simulation that comes close to the real thing.

Skill in war is to know how to outmatch the enemy, to temper your decision making, and to focus your control on achieving victory. There is no room for failure, afterall, war is a game of life or death.

This is wisdom! — to possess skill in being victorious in life. Solomon knew too well that this kind of victory can only come from the throne room of God. There is no amount of worldly wisdom that can replace the wisdom of God, anymore than a simulation can replace a real battlefield.

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;” (1 Corinthians 3:19)

Thus, if we are to make wisdom our sister and our closest kin as the wise king commanded, we must come to no other but God alone! He is Himself Wisdom!

“Oh, 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)

Therefore, Christian, ask of God each and every day for His wisdom. Draw near to Him and you will become wiser still. Fear Him with awe-inspired reverence and His wisdom will wash over you. Open the Scriptures, study them, and they will make you wise for salvation (see 2 Timothy 3:15).

God does not desire to withhold His wisdom from you, but to give it to you freely in exceeding measure.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)