REVEAL
After reading through Proverbs recently I had new awareness of its themes. In Proverbs 2:10-11 Solomon (the wise king) makes a distinction between four items:
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (NIV)
What is the difference between wisdom, knowledge, discretion, and understanding? In general, I consider these words to be interchangeable, but Solomon states a purpose for each in Proverbs 2. He uses these words often in his manuscripts, and yet, it reads like he has blurred their definitions. Solomon seems to be lost in their meaning. So why the distinction at the beginning of Proverbs?
In 2 Chronicles 1:10 we see Solomon ask for wisdom and knowledge. He thought these two items were more valuable to him than wealth, riches, honor, vengeance, and eternal life. Our Father is pleased by Solomon’s heart and provides beyond the initial request. This same story from 1 Kings 3:7-15 tells of a request for “discernment” instead of wisdom and knowledge.
Is it all the same?
Does it even matter?
What is wise Solomon trying to say to us?
I am so confused.
For our concrete North American minds, the Webster definitions read:
Wisdom– knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgement as to action.
Knowledge– acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation.
Discretion– the power or right to decide or act according to one’s own judgement.
Understanding– mental process of a person who comprehends; intellectual faculties.
Webster didn’t provide me with clarify.
Here’s where I’ve landed…for today…
Wisdom comes to us by an outside source; whether from God, Spirit, man, or experience. Wisdom is gifted to us and we humble ourselves to receive it (James 3:13-17).
Knowledge fills our mental capacity. We gain knowledge through study and research; through earthly progress.
Discernment feels like a product of wisdom. We can have all the angles to make a decision but, in the end, we reach a peace in order to take action.
Understanding feels like a product of knowledge, not only do we collect information, but we grasp how it connects with the rest of the world.
When I get stuck on what His plans are for me, I often pray, “Lord, reveal to me what I need to know, when I need to know it.” Instead of spinning and stressing in what He will do, or how He will do it; I surrender to Him to bring me along in it. He will reveal to me the wisdom, and knowledge, and discernment, and understanding, and any other words associated with the mind and heart. And now that He has revealed these themes to me from Proverbs 2, I read the Bible with new eyes.
Disclaimer: I have none of this figured out, I’m tangled up in words and many, many verses. So, ironically, I pray He would continue to reveal these themes to me.
Do you have any insight?
How do you use these words?
