Are You Looking at Life Through a Pinhole?–Jeremiah 49:7

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Jeremiah 49:1-33; 2 Kings 24:5-7; 2 Chronicles 36:6-8; 2 Kings 24:8-9; 2 Chronicles 36:9; Jeremiah 22:24 through Jeremiah 23:32

The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies on Edom: “Is there nobody wise left in famous Teman? no one with a sense of reality? Has their wisdom gone wormy and rotten?  –Jeremiah 49:7 (The Message)

Wisdom is like prophesy; it has to pass the test of time.  A person, group, or nation can seem wise. their decisions and advice can impress the masses, but will they be considered wise a thousand years from now; that’s the real test.

I certainly have made some decisions that I thought were wise; given some advice that sounded like wisdom, and judged many people through my view of right and wrong.

Did it sound good in the short-term?

Yep.

Did it pass the test of time?

Nope.

Edom was evidently famous for its wisdom. (Job’s ‘comforter’ Eliphaz was from Teman, a town in Edom; Job 4:1.)  The Edomites, descendants of Esau, denied passage to Israel as they journeyed toward Canaan (Num. 20:14–21). The Edomites weren’t friendly to the Jews; they had either helped or failed to resist various nations that attacked Israel.   (Wilmington’s Bible Handbook)

I’m sure the Edomites thought they were making wise decisions, thought they were doing the best thing for their nation, and thought they deserved to hate the Jews for stealing their birthright.

But…

They were dead wrong!

How do we avoid going the way of the Edomites?

Ultimately, there’s only one source for true wisdom in this world—it’s Creator.  Who better to help us navigate through the maze of this life than the God and Creator of the universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end?

There has never been a time in the history of the world when information is so easily assessable,

but

Information doesn’t equal knowledge and knowledge doesn’t equal wisdom.

~~~~~~~

Our best attempt at wisdom is like looking at the situation through a pin-hole.

Why would we trust our one-dimensional judgment when our Heavenly Father not only knows best but always has our best interest (knowing Him and causing others to know Him) as His goal?

We’ve been deceived, just like the Edomites.  We think we know it all but our wisdom has gone “wormy and rotten.”

As the Scriptures say,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”  So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. –1 Corinthians 1:19-20

How can we recognize the wisdom of God in ourselves and others?

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. –James 3:17

Wow!  This is definitely not the world’s definition of wisdom!

Do you need this kind of wisdom?  I sure do!

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  –James 1:5

The fear (respect, reverence*)of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10)  *My explanation

The more we know Him the wiser we become!

Heavenly Father, we need Your wisdom, we want Your wisdom.  You told us in James 1:5 that if we ask for wisdom You will give it to us.

By faith we receive this gift in Jesus Name.  Amen and Amen!

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Jeremiah 23:33 through Jeremiah 24:10; Jeremiah 29:1 through Jeremiah 31:14