Wisdom is the Principal Thing

Wisdom is the Principal Thing
by Pete Berardi

One night after King Solomon, son of David, made an offering to the Lord, God spoke to him. God said to him, “Solomon, ask what I shall give thee" (2 Chronicles 1:7). Solomon had just become King of Israel. His Father David was a great king before him and Solomon had rather large shoes to fill. He felt the burden of his responsibilities to the people of his kingdom. Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge that he might judge the people fairly. God rewarded Solomon by granting him wisdom and knowledge but also riches, wealth and honour such as “none of the kings that have been before him”. Solomon could have asked for anything at all, but because he chose wisdom and knowledge, God gave him that and more.

This is a great lesson to learn and indicates how highly God values wisdom. The word wisdom occurs 234 times in the whole Bible. The first three occurrences of the word wisdom shows what wisdom truly is. Many verses after these three support this definition of wisdom. Exodus 28:3, Exodus 31:3 and Exodus 31:6 all make mention of people being filled with the spirit of wisdom which enables them to do something for God. This “spirit of wisdom” is symbolic of and points to salvation in Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:24 states: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and wisdom of God. This clarifies and makes glaringly obvious that wisdom is indeed salvation. Salvation can come only through knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Many successful men of this world are wise. They contain many degrees and hold certificates and have invented and innovated. This is not truly wisdom. This is the wisdom of the world. All things of the world are only temporary. If a man is truly wise then he has knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ who is able to save his soul. Jeremiah 9:24 states: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Wisdom is the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7). The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth (Proverbs 3:19). Wisdom is better than rubies (Proverbs 8:11). How much better is it to get wisdom than gold (Proverbs 16:16). Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established (Proverbs 24:3).