The word “wisdom” is mentioned, along with the word “wise” several hundred times in the Scriptures, wisdom is the exercise of knowledge, of sound judgment in both avenues of good and evil, it is what Solomon was blessed with even though he did not directly ask for it, it is what we can ask for from the Lord, and if we do so with nothing more than the intent that He be glorified in it, we will receive it, that is a promise. (James 1:5)
The exercise of knowledge is not the ability to perform the task that you have been employed to do by those that you toil for each day for the things of the world, though in part your ability to do so well could be attributed to wisdom, but it would be so in only the most minor degree. Wisdom is a gift that cannot be earned, cannot be purchased, can in no way be infused into you, wisdom can only be imparted to man by God. Knowledge is not wisdom, wisdom is the exercise of knowledge, and in the sense of that exercise of good and evil, the world has set its own rules, called right and wrong.
These values are rarely if ever in accordance to the Word and will of God, but instead attempt to skirt around them while keeping the context, very loosely, adhered to. We install lawmakers, enforcers of these laws, judges to interpret the laws, and places to put lawbreakers, and we expect, at least in the ways of the world, those individuals to be wise, to use proper discretion in the exercise of their duties, but the sin of man is great, and continuous, “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jer. 17:5)
The epitome of wisdom is found only in the Scriptures, but that does not mean that the Lord has withholden it from us by other means, wisdom can be found in many places, but to exercise the ability to discern properly what is wisdom, what is truth, is given only to the servants of the Most High, and for one reason only, that He will be glorified. What comes from God is to be used for the glory of God.
Few there are though that have been blessed with wisdom, most are simple minded, and not one of the lost can even attain to that title, they are brute beast, (2 Peter 2:12) they are vessels fitted for destruction, (Romans 9:22) and their end is sure. The simple minded, without any disrespect at all to them, are indeed looked upon in admiration by those who are being blessed by the Lord with the wisdom that only He can impart, for they are in a finer sense of the word more free than those. “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” (Eccl. 1:18)
Those who seek wisdom diligently will find her, (Prov. 4:7) they will wait patiently at her gate every day, (Prov. 8:34) once tasted, no finer wine is known, she is more valuable than all rubies, (Prov. 8:11) but with increased wisdom comes increased grief, and with the ability to exercise knowledge aright, comes much sorrow, and these my friends do not disappear, once given, they are forever retained, yet as one can clearly see from the end of the life of the wisest man who ever lived, beyond Christ, Solomon indeed failed to employ wisdom in his final days.
Those who have been blessed with wisdom are expected to share it, to impart as much of it as the Lord gives them to others, so they may grow in the ways of serving better, in the ability to discern good and evil more proficiently, so that they do not remain completely simple minded, but use that wisdom in ways to help others to see the light of Christ, and so then continues the pattern of profitable servants for His name.
Wisdom is not “being smart,” it is not the ability to retain and recall information at will, it is not someone who has memorized the Scriptures, or even the Theologian who has studied all religions. Wisdom does not come from going to church or singing in the choir, following traditions laid down by men. Wisdom is knowing that God alone is Sovereign, wisdom does not negate pride, but attempts to kill it every day, in it humility is sought, it is where God is, and that is where the man of God, the wise and profitable servant wants to be, it is the only place of rest, it is where those whose thirst and hunger for righteousness will be filled. (Matt. 5:6)
Wisdom is a burden beyond compare, for in it is the knowledge of good and evil, it desires to be poured out in the same manner as the Word of God was in the bones of Jeremiah. (Jer. 20:9) Wisdom causes a man to stumble over himself constantly, for the old man, the sinful nature detests it, hates it, for it points the way to Christ clearer, it allows the bearer to see the path in a way that those who do not possess it never will. All of the wisdom of the world cannot compare to one single man who has been blessed with the wisdom that can only come from God, he can see all of that wisdom for what it truly is, foolishness. (1 Cor. 3:19)
“Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” (Prov. 18:12) And no man will be given either unless he first realizes that it is the Lord God that not only rules in all of the kingdoms of men, but in all of creation. Those with much wisdom and those with little are both loved by the Lord, and will be forever, but “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:48) “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.” (Prov. 4:5)