Wisdom treasure
Proverbs 2:1-11
Anyone else starting 2023 determined to make better decisions? For many, January is a month of new lifestyle challenges. Some go for Dry January; they determine not to drink any alcohol for the month. Others go for Veganuary; they decide not to eat anything derived from animals, be that meat, dairy, eggs… For me, I’ve gone for JanuHairy; I’m going hairy for JanuHairy and growing a beard! And I know that many of you have decided to read The Bible In One Year.
All of these life style challenges start with aspiration, a desire to do something different. However, they are built on numerous in-the-moment decisions, requiring will power. Yet, will-power alone is rarely enough. We need Wisdom.
Wisdom says, if you’re doing Dry January, don’t leave that half-finished bottle of Gin or malt whisky where you can easily see or get to it. We’re more likely to crave what we see. And it’s also wise to tell others, be accountable.
Wisdom says, if you’re going Veganuary, don’t go to Dixy Chicken or anywhere else that doesn’t have a vegan menu option. Plan ahead. Do your research.
Wisdom says, if you’re going to read The Bible In One Year, download the App or get hold of the paper guide; and read it in the morning, not last thing at night. That way, if you ‘life happens’ that morning, you’ve still got other opportunities later in the day to read it. 
Last week, we got metal detecting, hunting for treasure. We realised that there is treasure worth even more than the Staffordshire Hord – treasure from another Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven – that is waiting for us to seek out. And, just as in the Parable Jesus told (Matthew 13:44), it’s worth going all-in for, to get 100% of this heavenly treasure - not just to settle for half a blessing, half a healing, half an answered prayer.
If you’re wanting more Wisdom in your life, Proverbs - the Book of Tweets, God’s wisdom tweeted in pithy bursts – is a good place to look. Some of that heavenly treasure waiting for us to unearth is Wisdom. What if the Wisdom you need, not just to get you through January, but to truly thrive as God intends for you, is waiting – ready for you to unearth?
Proverbs 2:4-5 says:
“If you look for Wisdom as for silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
If it’s Wisdom you want, you need to look for it, search for it. It rarely comes by chance. Where are you looking? How intentional are you searching? Jesus says:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7

We often equate Wisdom with knowledge. She or he is so wise, they know so much. Some have amazing Bible knowledge. You so want them on your Bibe Quiz Team. They know what the Bible says, they know what the right thing to do is.  They might not understand it. And far less, put it into action. They know where it is, but they leave it in the ground, they don’t live it. In Hebrew, the ancient language of the Israelites, the word we translate as ‘understanding’ was a doing word.  You didn’t just know the speed limit, you sticked to it.
Wisdom is not abstract or theoretical. Wisdom is deeply practical, it’s for life:
“Wisdom cries out in the street, in the squares she raises her voice.” Proverbs 1:20
It’s about the everyday issues we face: consumption, relationships, finances, career choices…
Wisdom is also deeply personal. Proverbs gives Wisdom a voice – personality. In a male-dominated world, Proverbs gave Wisdom a female voice. When driving to somewhere unfamiliar, you follow your SatNav. That calm, clear voice tells you. Slow down. Speed camera, 200 metres ahead. She knows. She’s not just wise in her decisions. As far as you’re concerned, she is Wisdom. You would be wise to follow her Wisdom. You would be very unwise to disregard her Wisdom.
In the bible, Wisdom is described as a person. It has personality. Not just any person. But the source of all Wisdom. Who alone knows you better than you know yourself? Who alone knows you so deeply that she knows what you will do before even you do? That’s beginning to sound like God!
We started by thinking Wisdom is about knowledge. Then it occurred to us, maybe it’s more about understanding. But the Hebrew / Old Testament focus was more on living it. But by the time we get to the New Testament that fuzzy out-of-focus image has become sharper: Wisdom is not a fact or a good decision… It’s not something, it’s someone. Wisdom has a name, and His name is… Jesus. (Don’t get stuck on the gender: Wisdom female? Jesus male? God is both male and female.)
Proverbs 8 says this Wisdom was present with God before Creation, and even participated in the very act of Creation itself. That’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas – or at least Christ. John opens his Gospel with:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3
Jesus is not just wise, He is the source of all wisdom. Jesus IS Wisdom.
Knowledge, leading to understanding, resulting in lived experience only becomes possible with Jesus. Proverbs 9:10 says:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
If it’s Wisdom you need, you won’t find that without God. ‘Fear’ is more like acknowledge/ surrender your will to God. But just understanding is not enough. It’s about relationship with The One, the Source of all Wisdom. That’s why Proverbs says:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
When you know someone deeply, intimately, you trust them, even when you don’t always understand what they’re doing or why. But, because you feel safe with them, you lean not just on your own understanding. Apostle James similarly put it:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
If you’ve ever encountered real Wisdom, you’ve encountered God. If you need more Wisdom, you’re saying, you need more of God When faced with a difficult decision or dilemma, know that Wisdom is with you.  If you are ‘in Christ’, you are ‘in Wisdom. That doesn’t mean you will get every decision right. Christians are capable of getting it wrong!  But ‘in Christ’ His Spirit, interacts with our spirit. We begin to appreciate what Christ likes, does, avoids…
May you udiscover more Wisdom treasure in 2023 as you submit your life again to the source of all Wisdom - Jesus!

07840 046020   DannyBrierley@ChesterRoadBaptist.org.uk