Topical Bible: The Wisdom of God: All Human Wisdom Derived From

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The concept of the wisdom of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing that all human wisdom is ultimately derived from the divine wisdom of God. This entry explores the nature of God's wisdom, its manifestation in creation, and its impartation to humanity.

Nature of God's Wisdom

God's wisdom is intrinsic to His character and is often depicted as perfect, infinite, and unsearchable. In Job 12:13 , it is stated, "Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His." This verse highlights that wisdom is not merely an attribute of God but is essential to His very being. God's wisdom is beyond human comprehension, as expressed in Isaiah 55:8-9 : "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Manifestation in Creation

The wisdom of God is evident in the order and complexity of creation. Proverbs 3:19-20 states, "The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew." This passage illustrates that the very fabric of the universe is woven with divine wisdom, reflecting God's intelligent design and purposeful creation.

Impartation to Humanity

While God's wisdom is infinite, He graciously imparts wisdom to humanity. James 1:5 encourages believers, "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This promise underscores the accessibility of divine wisdom to those who seek it with a humble heart.

The book of Proverbs is a rich source of practical wisdom for daily living, emphasizing that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 declares, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This foundational principle indicates that reverence for God is the starting point for acquiring wisdom.

Christ as the Embodiment of God's Wisdom

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the ultimate embodiment of God's wisdom. Colossians 2:2-3 speaks of Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Through His life, teachings, and sacrificial death, Jesus exemplifies divine wisdom and offers redemption and understanding to humanity.

The apostle Paul further elaborates on this in 1 Corinthians 1:24 , where he refers to Christ as "the power of God and the wisdom of God." This identification of Christ with divine wisdom underscores the belief that through Him, believers gain access to the fullness of God's wisdom.

Human Wisdom in Relation to God's Wisdom

Human wisdom, while valuable, is limited and fallible. It is only through alignment with God's wisdom that human understanding can reach its fullest potential. Proverbs 2:6 affirms, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This verse highlights the dependence of human wisdom on divine revelation and guidance.

In summary, the wisdom of God is foundational to all creation and human understanding. It is through a relationship with God, reverence for His ways, and faith in Jesus Christ that individuals can access and reflect the divine wisdom that surpasses all human knowledge.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 2:1
And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, with which his spirit was troubled, and his sleep broke from him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Wisdom of God in the Means Used to Propagate the Gospel.
... and the thoughts of His heart to all generations." The ... The persons chosen of God
and sent forth to ... the religion of Christ, were such as human wisdom would have ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon i the wisdom of.htm

Concerning "Wisdom," "Mind," "Reason," "Truth," "Faith. "
... 412] Thus the Divine Wisdom in knowing ... For if God, in the act of causation, imparts
Existence to all ... same single act of causation He will support all these His ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter vii concerning wisdom mind.htm

Of the Error of the Philosophers, and of the Divine Wisdom, and of ...
... if you will contemplate the world, with all the things ... understand how much the work
of God surpasses the ... great must be the distance between the wisdom of God ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ii of the error of.htm

Whether it was More Fitting that the Person of the Son Rather than ...
... concept of the eternal Wisdom, from Whom all man's wisdom ... And hence man is perfected
in wisdom (which is his ... rational) by participating the Word of God, as the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was more fitting.htm

Colossians i. 9
... It may be wrought for all; but it is more happy to think that it will ... vanishes, yet
to some undoubtedly, he will be found to be the wisdom of God, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture v colossians i 9.htm

Of Justice, Wisdom, and Folly.
... [1044] For we see that in all animals, because ... For wisdom is understanding either
with the purpose of doing ... in which respect alone he bears a relation to God. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xviii of justice wisdom and.htm

What to do with Doubt
... infidel reject God's word; and not all who profess ... are unwilling to wait patiently
until God shall see ... They feel that their unaided human wisdom is sufficient ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 12 what to do.htm

Of the Devil, the World, God, Providence, Man, and his Wisdom.
... It is perfect wisdom in man, if he knows that there is but one God, and that all
things were made by Him. Footnotes: [201] The tricks of a juggler. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ix of the devil the.htm

Whether Irony is a Sin?
... the mark of a well-disposed mind to acknowledge one's fault when one is not guilty."
But all sin is ... For there is a wisdom according to God, which has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether irony is a sin.htm

This World is Ruled by the Providence of one God, who is Both ...
... and Judge, and the Just One, and Ruler over all. ... of justice, [3788] nor is His wisdom
lessened; for ... 4. The God, therefore, who does benevolently cause His sun ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv this world is ruled.htm