The Wisdom of God #2

INTRODUCTION:

    1. Are learning ABOUT God so that we might get to KNOW God. We have seen He is eternal and unchanging - so that as we learn about Him from history - so He still is. We have seen His majesty - to call us to reverence God - to hold Him in AWE.

    2. We spoke of His wisdom - in that we are not surprised to find that we often do not understand what He is doing - i.e., when bad things happen to good people.

BODY

    What Is Wisdom?

    1. WISDOM - the ability to choose the best possible end, and to choose the best possible means of achieving that end.

    2. WISDOM - the ability to make the right decisions when judging between two different courses of action.

    3. When one rules by wisdom - his decisions are fair, just, and right.

    4. Solomon therefore asked for a wise and discerning heart to be able to rule God's people well - 1 Kings 3:5-12

    5. God gave him such - and 'they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice' (1 Kings 3:28).

  1. Scriptures affirm that God is 'wise' - (we would say ALL wise!)

    Daniel 2:20
      20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: (KJV)

    Romans 16:27
      27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (KJV)

    Isaiah 40:28
      28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (KJV)

    Job 36:5
      5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. (KJV)

    Isaiah 40:14
      14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? (KJV)

    Romans 11:34
      34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (KJV)

    Romans 11:33
      33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (KJV)

  2. God's wisdom is seen in CREATION

    Psalm 104:24
      24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. (KJV)

    Proverbs 3:19
      19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. (KJV)

    Proverbs 8:22-28
      22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: (KJV)

    Proverbs 8:29-30
      29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; (KJV)

    Jeremiah 10:12
      12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. (KJV)

  3. GOD'S WISDOM SHOWN IN THE WORK OF REDEMPTION

      1 Corinthians 1:18-25
        18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (KJV)

      1 Corinthians 2:7
        7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (KJV)

      Ephesians 3:10
        10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (KJV)

        His choosing of Abraham - the giving a special land, the law that 'separated' Israel from the ungodliness of the nations, His forshadowing of the coming of Christ by the Old Testament (sacrifices, temple, priesthood), God's foretelling such through prophecies, the establishment of a universal language (Greeks, Alexander the Great), the establishment of a universal government (Rome) that allowed the free spread of Christianity

  4. GOD'S WISDOM SEEN IN THE ADAPTATION OF MEANS TO ENDS

    He 'used' men and their actions to bring about His eternal purpose - thru the giving of his laws that governed them.

    Deuteronomy 4:6-8

      6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (KJV)

    Deuteronomy 6:24-25
      24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us. (KJV)

    Psalm 19:7-8
      7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (KJV)

    Psalm 16:7
      7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. (KJV)

  5. GOD'S WISDOM SEEN IN HIS USING MEN'S DECISIONS WHEN THEY DO NOT OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS

      Joseph's brethren - "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good'

      His use of Pharoh to show forth His glory and power -

      His use of Babylon to punish Israel and correct them / preserve them

      His use of Judas - the betrayer -

CONCLUSION

    We must recognize that God is all wise - that His ways are NOT our ways - Isa. 55:8-9

    That being true, we must SUBMIT our wills to HIS will...

    Ours it NOT to argue with God - but to obey his EVERY Word.

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