Proverbs 16:21
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The biblical definition of wisdom is to apply and obey the knowledge of the Word that we have been given. This principle is very well illustrated in Yeshua’s parable of the wise and foolish men building their house. The wise built his house upon the rock, and it withstood the storms. Yeshua tells us that such a man is one who hears the Word of Truth and lives/obeys it. A wise man is called ‘prudent’. Both these words refer to obedience of the Word.
While knowledge of the Word and its application are great virtues, the apostle Paul also tells us that knowledge ‘puffeth up’, or causes us to sin by becoming proud and vain. In this case it is no the acquisition of knowledge which is wrong (and of course I am referring to knowledge of the things of God), but rather our proud human-like reaction to it. In our weak human state, knowledge tends to make us reactionary, self-righteous, unbending, proud and lifted up towards those who don’t seem to know as much. Very often this attitude spills over on those who are closest to us such as our immediate families.
Our proverb today points out to the virtues of knowledge, but in a progressive tone, also tells that the sweet exposition of this knowledge to others causes us to increase in knowledge. In perfect comparative Semitic contrast, this also means that the inability to impart our knowledge in a sweet and humble way may actually decrease it. This shows us that the acquisition of the true knowledge of God carries in itself a spirit of humility because the more we know, the more we should realize that we don’t know.
May we learn like Moses and Yeshua to come down from our lofty positions and impart what has been entrusted unto us in the Spirit of His love and humility. May all of us who are called to expound the Word unto others bless and honor the Omniscient God by representing His Knowledge in a sweet and humble way.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The biblical definition of wisdom is to apply and obey the knowledge of the Word that we have been given. This principle is very well illustrated in Yeshua’s parable of the wise and foolish men building their house. The wise built his house upon the rock, and it withstood the storms. Yeshua tells us that such a man is one who hears the Word of Truth and lives/obeys it. A wise man is called ‘prudent’. Both these words refer to obedience of the Word.
While knowledge of the Word and its application are great virtues, the apostle Paul also tells us that knowledge ‘puffeth up’, or causes us to sin by becoming proud and vain. In this case it is no the acquisition of knowledge which is wrong (and of course I am referring to knowledge of the things of God), but rather our proud human-like reaction to it. In our weak human state, knowledge tends to make us reactionary, self-righteous, unbending, proud and lifted up towards those who don’t seem to know as much. Very often this attitude spills over on those who are closest to us such as our immediate families.
Our proverb today points out to the virtues of knowledge, but in a progressive tone, also tells that the sweet exposition of this knowledge to others causes us to increase in knowledge. In perfect comparative Semitic contrast, this also means that the inability to impart our knowledge in a sweet and humble way may actually decrease it. This shows us that the acquisition of the true knowledge of God carries in itself a spirit of humility because the more we know, the more we should realize that we don’t know.
May we learn like Moses and Yeshua to come down from our lofty positions and impart what has been entrusted unto us in the Spirit of His love and humility. May all of us who are called to expound the Word unto others bless and honor the Omniscient God by representing His Knowledge in a sweet and humble way.
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