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.