RulingWisdom

      The apostle Paul said of the Church at Corinth: "...you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 1:4-8).

     This sounds like a wonderful church, coming short in no gift, enriched in all knowledge and utterance by Christ. However, there was an oversetting problem in this church that affected everything they did. They were walking in the wisdom of this world, rather than the wisdom of God. Because of this, their church was riddled with divisions and contentions. Paul wrote this example: "Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul', or 'I am of Apollos', or 'I am of Cephas (Peter)', or 'I am of Christ'. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:10-13).  Paul assured the Corinthian church that the message of the cross is not a message of worldly wisdom: "For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (v. 18-20).

     Paul described how this church had allowed worldly wisdom and understanding to guide almost everything they did. This even included their handling of the Communion, or The Lord's Supper! (see 1 Cor. 11:17-22). Paul then had to explain to this gifted church the godly wisdom of The Table of the Lord (see v. 23-31). In these verses, Paul especially equates this expression of godly wisdom with the ability to judge rightly (v. 31). By joining wisdom and judgment, Paul is expressing the meaning of the Hebrew word for wisdom: hakma/hakam - wisdom, skill in war, quality ascribed to a ruler, to a king [including the Messiah], and to God/become wise in mind, word, or act, show oneself to be wise, to make wise, teach wisdom, instruct, to judge-hence to rule. Again, Paul reflects this definition of the Hebrew word with this statement that while the idea of Christ crucified is foolishness to some: "...to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God...of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption - that it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.'" (1 Cor. 1:23-24, 30-31).  The ruling Messiah, Jesus, personifies the true rulership, wisdom and judgment of God.

     Again, Paul wrote about the importance of godly wisdom to the Corinthians: "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.' (1 Cor. 3:18-20). If the Corinthian church was riddled with destructive worldly wisdom, then it may be necessary to consider if we also have based our rulership as kings and priests in Christ upon the same worldly wisdom that is really foolishness with God. It seems an easy trap to fall into while not even realizing that we are trapped.

     The apostle James, whose Hebrew name was Jacob, wrote even more emphatically: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness (prautes/praus - gentleness of spirit, mildness/humble, meek, the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest stemming from trust in God's goodness and control over a situation, a work of the Holy Spirit and not of human will) of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are from there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:13-18). How closely are we willing to look at ourselves through the lens of these strong words of an apostle of Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit for our consideration and obedience? The attaining of godly wisdom, according to James, must be accompanied by humility, and humility is in short supply.

     The Sabbath reading portion for this week, which happens to take place during Hanukkah (Feast of Lights and Dedication) this year, is titled Mikketz, meaning "At the end of", and it deals with godly rulership-wisdom and judgment.  "At the end of" deals with a period of time here, but in this reading portion, it can also mean being "at the end of" one's own self-importance, as we will see. This portion is from Gen. 41 through 43, and involves details from Joseph's life in Egypt. At the start of this reading, Joseph had been in Pharaoh's prison because, after being sold into slavery by his envious brothers, he was serving as a slave in Potiphar's house in Egypt when he was falsely accused of a crime. "Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream...." (Gen. 41:1). Joseph had been in prison for at least two years. To understand what happening in Joseph's life, we have to go back to his youth. From seventeen years old, Joseph had had prophetic dreams. He, like the Corinthian church, was gifted by God, but he exercised that gift in worldly wisdom. In his youthful "enthusiasm", Joseph told his brothers and father of his dreams of rulership over them, and even his father, though aware of his son's prophetic gift, was offended by him (Gen. 37:10-11). We will find out that the point of these dreams was not Joseph's rulership, but God's miraculous and merciful "sabbath" (seven years of plenty) provision for multitudes of people, including His covenant people, in the midst of a severe seven-year famine to come. In order to enact His plan, God would have to train Joseph up in godly wisdom. Joseph's first lesson would come from the betrayal of his brothers. His next lesson would be to serve as a slave in a foreign household. Then would come false accusation and resulting imprisonment. Then Joseph would learn how to serve even while in prison, receiving the favor of God and the trust of the prison-keeper (Gen. 39:20-23). Then while in prison, he was forgotten by someone for two full years for whom he had accurately interpreted a dream which came to pass "on the third day". (Gen. 40:20-23). We often view trials as the work of evil, but God uses them to purify our faith and to produce godly fruit in us, such as wisdom perhaps. It is at that same time that Pharaoh had two disturbing dreams which he felt had a prophetic significance: "...he (Pharaoh) sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dream, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh." (Gen. 41:8). Those of worldly wisdom could not help. Joseph was then remembered as a dream-interpreter, and Pharaoh ordered this Hebrew slave prisoner to be brought out of the dungeon to offer an interpretation of his dreams. Joseph had been cleaned and clothed, and came before Pharaoh, but we see that Joseph had changed inwardly. When asked for the interpretation, Joseph answered Pharaoh saying: "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace (see James' words above)." (v. 16). We can see here that Joseph has learned the difference between the worldly wisdom of self-assertion and godly wisdom through his time of service. Messiah/Christ Jesus, the personification of ruling, godly wisdom (see references above), told His disciples about the godly wisdom of service, in which He also walked, as contrasted with the worldly wisdom by which others ruled (Mt. 20:25-28). 

     As God gave Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams involving seven years of abundance to be followed by seven years of severe famine, Joseph was able to tell Pharaoh how to prepare so that his country and other people may not only live through the famine, but prosper. "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word...See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." (Gen. 41:39-41). Joseph was also recognized as "a man in whom is the Spirit of God." (v. 38). Joseph, when he later saw his brothers who had betrayed him as they came to Egypt for food, would say to them: "...do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life." (Gen. 45:5). God's purpose here through all of Joseph's difficulties, which was the preservation of life, could only be perceived through godly wisdom, and Joseph was a man who served successfully in rulership by godly wisdom.

     Another reading from this Sabbath's Mikketz portion is from 1 Kings 3. The new king, Solomon, son of King David, had a dream while in Gibeon (Levitical hill city in the territory of Benjamin/gabia - large bowl of wine; flower-shaped bowls of oil on the holy lampstand), the place where the tabernacle was kept in those days. In his dream, the LORD asked Solomon, "What shall I give you?" (1 Kings 3:5). In the dream, Solomon answered the LORD in part: "I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant (referring to himself) is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega/see Rev. 1:8, 21:6, 22:13) people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) people of Yours?" (v. 7-9). It is interesting, and part of the Hebrew meaning of "wisdom", that Solomon requested this from God in order to judge God's people justly in rulership. Solomon could have asked for many things. His rise to the throne had been a dangerous and controversial one, because one of his older brothers had already claimed the throne while their father, David, was still alive. However, "THE SPEECH PLEASED THE LORD, THAT SOLOMON HAD ASKED THIS THING." (v. 10). In fact, the LORD is so pleased with a request for godly wisdom that scripture says that if any lack it and ask for it, He will honor that request (James 1:5).

     God said to Solomon in the dream: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor..." (v. 11-13). The LORD also promised to lengthen Solomon's days as his father David's IF Solomon walked in the LORD's ways and kept His commandments (v. 14). Often we pray for what we think we need, but perhaps God is waiting for us to also request those things, like wisdom, that will make us more like our Father and His Son.

     Even from the first time that Solomon was called upon to administer judgment (1 Kings 3:16-27), he gained a reputation for the wisdom of God and for justice: ""And all Israel heard of the (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared (yare - fear, reverence, in awe of, honor, respect, to tremble) the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. So Solomon was king over all Israel." (v. 28, 1 Kings 4:1). 

     Solomon also wrote three Books of the Bible, one being Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom. As in the Hebrew definition of "wisdom" (see above), those who have the wisdom of God also teach and instruct others in that wisdom. The prophet Daniel, describing the events of the latter days, wrote: "And those people who understand (sakal - wisely understand) shall instruct many...Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament. and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever...none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." (Dan. 11:33, 12:3, 9). There is a godly wisdom, through the Messiah/Christ Jesus, available to us that must accompany our spiritual rulership and just judgment. It is dangerous to try to do either without that wisdom. 

     If you would like to pray for godly wisdom, you can join me in my prayer: "Dear Father, Your Son, Jesus, is the wisdom of God, as well as being our righteousness, our healing, and our salvation. Your Word says that if any lack wisdom, they may ask You for it. I ask for Your precious wisdom to fill my life, and direct my thoughts, words and deeds. Let Your wisdom cause me to discern between good and evil, and to have wise understanding. Let Your wisdom in me allow others to see the wisdom of God, rather than my "self". Forgive me, Lord, for neglecting to seek and ask for Your wisdom. Help me, by Your Holy Spirit to see when I am following the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness, rather than the wisdom of God. I ask these things in the name of my Lord and Savior, Your Son and Wisdom, Jesus. AMEN."