RIGHTEOUS FEAR AND WISDOM

Wisdom & Fear

Prov. 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding . 

In the whole Mosaic economy according to Matt. 22:40 wisdom is fulfilled in the man who loves God, "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." 

[Sophia] Wisdom originates in God, eternal in its nature, its subject is the gospel, provides righteousness through the cross. Wisdom is final in God. A wise man is one who loves God and that love is further defined as originating from a fear that this one might hurt God through sin which wounds the One, causing sorrow in the Redeemers' heart, who died in his place.

Righteous Fear. A fear coming from love, not to be associated with the fear caused by an ignorance of God, making him hide from the One Who loves him. Since God's love has been shed abroad in our hearts [Rom. 5:5], we are now keenly aware of the pain in His heart and what might cause further pain.

        Wisdom is described by Paul as the threefold work of Christ in the salvation of His bride in 1 Cor. 1:24, 30 “but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption. 

Righteousness-past ministry-symbolized by the bread and cup (body & blood)

Sanctification-present ministry-symbolized by the footwashing

Redemption [of my body]-future ministry-symbolized by the supper we are yet to enjoy

Possessed by Christ at the beginning of His earthly life [Luke 2:40], increased in it [Luke 2:52]; revealed in OT scripture [Luke 11:49]; gift of God [Acts 7:9-10]; it can grow [Rom. 11:33]; men can deceive themselves thinking they possess God's when they only possess earthly [1 Cor. 1:18, 20, 21]; Christ made a continuous display of God's wisdom [1 Cor 1:24]; Christ's threefold work [1 Cor. 1:30]; needs to be revealed by God so men might comprehend [1 Cor. 2:7]; foolishness to most men [1 Cor. 3:19]; church comprehends how vast [Eph. 3:10; treasures it [Col. 2:3]; can pray to receive it [James 1:5]; and will be sincerely appreciated by them for eternity [Rev. 7:12].

        Cf. Note Exod. 31:3 3 "I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship

Wisdom is capacity, understanding is progress, knowledge is the final result.

        Prov. 10:23 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding. A man of understanding finds sport in wisdom.

That is, he gets out of wisdom the same satisfaction that a fool gets out of wickedness. Get in the boat filled with wisdom before you sink and the firestorm hits.