The Wisdom which man by nature seeks after is far different from the wisdom which brings eternal benefit. Natural wisdom is centred on man, and tends to be manifest in contests of intellect, which lead, as James shows, to “bitter envying and strife” (Jas. 3:14). The wisdom which pleases God, by contrast, is manifest by works with meekness (v. 13). If this wisdom is so unnatural to man, where can he obtain it? The answer James gives is, “from above” ( v. 17), for “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh from the Father” (1:17).
Let us not think, however, that we can go about our daily lives and expect wisdom to descend unrelated to our efforts to obtain it, for it is certain that individual application is required in receiving the knowledge of God, which, through the adversities and experiences of life, grows into wisdom.
The need for personal effort in attaining the wisdom of eternity is demonstrated clearly in one of the shortest of the Lord’s parables. In Matthew 13:44 Jesus likens the Kingdom of heaven to “treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field”. It is important to note that the task of acquiring the treasure is a work of joy and not of despondent drudgery. The prospect of digging for reward is quite rightly greeted by the man with full commitment. He sells all that he has to buy the field.
The basis for this parable can be found in the Proverbs. In Proverbs 2 Solomon is speaking about the value of wisdom and compares it with hidden treasures. In verses 4, 5 he says, “if thou seekest her (wisdom) as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God”. Here the wisdom spoken of is directly comparable to that described by James, since it centres upon man’s relationship to God. To find this treasure is to find God, and the treasure is therefore equivalent to the Kingdom which Jesus tells us to seek above all else.
The chapter in Proverbs brings out the two aspects of attaining wisdom: the work of God and the work of man. First in the chapter the work expected of the seeker- after-wisdom is described. Verse 2 exhorts the “son” to “incline thine ear unto wisdom”. Here the preacher is not speaking of a passive hearing, but of an active listening. The ear is pricked up as an animal’s would be at the slightest sound, eager to discern its source and meaning. So too the faithful ” son” is to be keenly attentive to the sound of the Word.
Furthermore, Solomon continues, “apply thine heart to understanding”. The word “apply” is most frequently translated ‘to stretch out’, and again serves to emphasise the application which is demanded in order to attain wisdom. Our hearts must be stretched to contain the Word of God. All too easily we can be content with filling up the shrunken space of our inner self in a lazy and lethargic way. But active effort is required to expand the thoughts and feelings of the inner man to contain some of the majesty of the knowledge of God.
The next verse( v. 3) continues the theme, for it reads: “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding . . . then . . . “. Strong gives two ideas associated with the verb ‘to cry’. The first is ‘accosting a person met’, and the second, ‘to address by name’. We see then in Solomon’s words no weak-willed and casual call to knowledge to come and meet us, but a strong and eager appeal and forceful effort to go out and catch hold of it.
These are the necessary conditions laid down for the individual before he can succeed. But if they are present, success is certain. On the human plane this is not always so. Many men have given up their livelihood to go in search of treasure, and have gained nothing. The essential difference between the natural and the spiritual planes is that the spiritual treasure so ardently sought for is, in the end, a gift of God, freely given.
The Proverbs, having given conditional ‘ifs’, then affirms: “then shalt thou understand . . . For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous” (vv. 5-7). No matter how much effort we may put into searching for God, if God is not prepared to reveal Himself we have a hopeless task. But in His mercy the Lord has laid up wisdom, as a treasure hid in a field, readily discovered by anyone prepared to give up this life in order to afford the field, and prepared to expend energy in digging for it.
The value of the treasure the Lord has laid up is priceless. It is the Kingdom of heaven. Who in his right senses would not be filled with joy at the prospect of discovering it? Who would not sell all he has to buy the field in which the treasure is hid? Who would not be prepared to expend energy willingly and joyfully to dig out the treasure?
This must be our attitude to discovering the Word of God, which is life to those who find it and treasure it. Let us be exhorted by the example of the Lord Jesus. His attitude to the store of wisdom contained in the Word of God is revealed in Proverbs 3. The opening phrase of this chapter, as in chapter 2—”My son”—has a special application to the Lord Jesus. Proverbs 3 exhorts: “forget not my law . . . let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart” (vv. 13).
In these words we can appreciate the importance of attending to the Word, for it is the source of life, peace, mercy and truth. It is clear that the Lord Jesus heeded these words, for the blessings which were promised to those who did so are used of the Lord Jesus. Verse 4 of Proverbs says, “so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man”. In Luke 2:52 these words are taken up to describe the results of the young Jesus diligently applying himself to his “Father’s business” : “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man”.
Here then we have the example of the Teacher first putting into practice what he preached, and it demonstrates an important principle, that wisdom is needed in order to gain wisdom. This is not to state the impossible. The wisdom we need at the outset is described by Solomon as “the fear of the Lord”, which is “the beginning of knowledge”. Only “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7). Thus wisdom is only gained by those who have the right respect for, and approach to, God and His revelation. It is in this light that we can understand the words of Jesus when he said, in relation to teaching in parables, “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath” (Mt. 13:12).
If our attitude and approach to the Word of God is right, if we treasure it according to its true worth—”more precious than rubies”—then we will “behold wondrous things”. For “every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old” (Mt. 13:52). Old truths and new insights will continue to delight, encourage and strengthen both ourselves and those whom we teach in the Way which leads to life everlasting.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay