Deeper Reflection
Wisdom from God is a key motif in Daniel, and particularly wisdom for “understanding of the vision” of God’s purposes and His ways (Dan 8:15-16). And discipleship in Daniel is walking with God faithfully in the world of Babylon by trusting in God’s sovereignty and living by God’s wisdom. Wisdom of God makes her first appearance in Proverbs in this way: “Wisdom shouts in the street… at the head of noisy streets she cries out” (Prov 1:20). It is Wisdom taking the initiative to reach out to us to give us God’s wisdom. We live in a busy, hurry and noisy world, and Wisdom must shout to get our attention. Wisdom makes herself available to us, but we must respond to her. We must “seek her as silver” and “search for her as for hidden treasures” (v.4). To do so, we must see the supreme value of Wisdom: “Wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her” (Prov 8:11).The soul of wisdom is “the fear of the LORD” and “the knowledge of God” (v.5). To know and grow in wisdom is to know God and grow in knowing God. It is in a growing relationship with God that we seek wisdom and find her. And so, naturally, God is the source of wisdom: “the LORD gives wisdom” (v.6a). Unless God gives, we have nothing. But God will give us wisdom when we seek for her in Scripture: “From His mouth” – divine speech – “come knowledge and understanding” (v.6b). God “gives wisdom” through “His mouth” – the Word of God.