The Book of Proverbs is a treasure cove abut the subject of wisdom and how to attain to it. True Wisdom involves applying our hearts unto instruction and our ears to the words of knowledge. (Proverbs 23:12)
Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Proverbs uses a metaphor of a woman speaking about the many benefits of seeking after the wisdom of Yahuah. This woman, who represents “wisdom”, builds her house and it has seven pillars which can be interpreted as: she dwells with seven attributes of wisdom which make up her character. (Proverbs 9:1 )
Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. 8:13 The fear of Yahuah is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom are the following seven qualities that make up the pillars of Lady Wisdom’s house:
- Prudence
- Knowledge of Witty Inventions [Discretion]
- The Fear of Yahuah
- Counseling
- Sound Wisdom [Judgment]
- Understanding
- Strength
This week we will explore the meaning of what it means to “find out knowledge of witty inventions” as named in the King James Version. What exactly does it mean to “find out knowledge of witty inventions”? …..and what does that have to do with being a pillar of the wisdom of Yahuah (or the wisdom that makes up the essence of who Yahuah is and how He operates)?
Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Most Bible translations other than the King James Version, use the English word “discretion” or “to be discreet” in place of ” find out knowledge of witty inventions” or as the International Standard Version states “I know how to be discreet”. So we will look into that interpretation as well.
The Hebrew word used for this combination of words as translated in the King James (witty inventions) is mezimmah (Strong’s #4209) and means: “wicked device, discretion, intent, witty invention, lewdness, mischievous device, thought, wickedly. From zamam; a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity) — (wicked) device, discretion, intent, witty invention, lewdness, mischievous (device), thought, wickedly”. see HEBREW zamam (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
And the Hebrew word zamam (Strong’s #2161) means: to consider, purpose, devise. (Strong’s Concordance)
From the Strong’s definition of the word mezimmah we learn that this word for “devising or purposeful thinking” can be used for either good or for evil intentions. The word mezimmah can be used to speak about people who have evil purposes and who plot wicked plans; or it can be used when the plans, purposes, devices are for good.
Translating the word for “discretion” as “ the finding out of the knowledge of witty inventions” is used only in the King James Version and it is used as a attribute (or pillar) of wisdom in Proverbs 8:12. Everywhere else mezimmah is translated as: device, purposes, intents, thoughts, mischievous. These words give us clues as to what Solomon is talking about when he calls one of the pillars of wisdom “the finding out the knowledge of witty inventions”.
Here are some verses that use this Hebrew word. They give us an idea of what Solomon was talking about when he wrote “to find out knowledge of witty inventions”. This word (mezimmah) is usually translated as “devices” [plans] “thoughts”, or “intents” as per the following verses:
Job 21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [mezimmah] which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought [mezimmah: purpose, discretion, device] can be withholden from thee.
Jeremiah 30:24 The fierce anger of Yahuah shall not return, until he hath done it, and until he have performed the intents [mezimmah] of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.
Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtaineth favour of Yahuah: but a man of wicked devices [mezimmah] will he condemn.
Psalm 10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices [mezimmah] that they have imagined.
Psalm 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after Yahuah: Yahuah is not in all his thoughts [mezimmah].
Psalm 21:11 For they intended [mezimmah] evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device [mezimmah], which they are not able to perform.
From these Scriptures we get a clearer picture of what Solomon is referring to when he says “to find knowledge of witty inventions”; a person who devises good plans and intentions when faced with challenges is incorporating one of the pillars of wisdom (Proverbs 8:12).
This word mezimmah means the power of forming plans, of coming up with well thought-out devises to bring about a desired result (whether they be good or evil). In the case of Proverbs 8:12 mezimmah (discretion or witty inventions) is used to describe an aspect of wisdom that involves devising, plotting, thinking in a way that is creative planning in order to achieve something or bring about a good result. Not only are we to use this way of thinking (to be wise planners) but we are to find out the knowledge of these things, that is wisdom.
Dictionaries describe the evil type of plotting as “machination”; in other words when a person who uses cunning and subtlety to devise a wicked plan, such as when Haman devised a plan to have all the Jews killed or when the princes and rulers under King Darius devised a plan to have Daniel thrown into the den of lions. To make evil plans is called “machination”. But when someone devises something in order for good to happen, that type of mezimmah is “sagacious”.
Sagacious means possessing or showing sound judgment and keen perception in a good way. When someone’s thoughts are for good and he has a good purpose in mind and then makes plans to bring about good results in any given situation, that is considered “sagacious”.
A good example of mezimmah (devising, purposing, intentions) is Yahuah’s Plan of Salvation. After Adam and Eve sinned, Elohim (the Father and Son) devised (thought out) a plan to rescue mankind from sin and it’s penalty. The whole Bible is about that Plan and is the Good News of how mankind can be redeemed through the blood of Yahusha and go on to live forever in the Family of Elohim. That kind of devising up a plan is called the sagacity type of thinking and devising and it works for good.
So the Hebrew language uses the word mezimmah when speaking of either good or bad “devices”. Since Proverbs 8 is about the characteristics of godly wisdom, we know that in this context the word mezimmah is about good and beneficial plotting and devising. It is an aspect of Yahuah’s wisdom that brings goodness and blessings for those who implement it; you could say that employing this pillar of wisdom involves a person using his wits! But not for evil (as Satan does) but to do good or to bring about good results. Ingenious imagination, innovation, brilliance, inventiveness, creativity, artistry, expanding knowledge; all these used for good are a quality of wisdom that involves the creative use of our minds. They are Yahuah’s gifts to His children. Yahuah wants “thinkers and wise planners” as attributes of His kings and priests ruling in His Kingdom; they will need to use this wisdom to rule righteously and wisely.
But not only will the children of Yahuah be using this kind of creative thinking and planning in the Kingdom, it is imperative that they be developing their thinking skills even now as they live out their physical lives. This kind of thinking will help them to navigate through the challenges that they face in this world in a practical way in living their lives, but also in a strategic warfare in their battles against Satan and his cohorts. We must learn to out-smart him even as Yahusha Messiah outsmarted Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness. When the religious leaders tried to trip Him up Yahusha out-smarted and out-maneuvered them every time.
So we must be seeking or finding out the knowledge of how to use our minds (wits) as a part of coming to the knowledge of the wisdom and plan of Yahuah; but also how to apply this aspect of wisdom in our own way of thinking and planning in seeking solutions to the difficulties in life that we face and/or to do the things we need to do to provide for ourselves (like how to grow food, do business, build houses and cities, teach our children, etc. (i.e, to make life better and more abundant in innovative ways).
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Years ago, when my husband and I lost our jobs over the Sabbath, we couldn’t afford our house that we had just bought so we sold it and bought a mobile home and placed it on some property that we had bought the previous year. It was going to cost a few thousand dollars to have a well put in which we just didn’t have. So we devised a way to dig our own well…with a post-hole digger, long pipes, a rope, and a homemade scaffold. It worked! and we had a working well for many years after that. I truly believe that it was Yahuah through His spirit that gave us the “wisdom” to devise a scheme to dig a well that would provide us with the water we needed for our new home. (My husband and I were very young and inexperienced at the time so I know we got a LOT of help from the wisdom ((sagacity) that comes from Yahuah to make it possible to fulfill a need and to provide for us!).
We use this pillar of wisdom to solve problems, to build things, in engineering, surveying, healing practices, in preventing disease, education, and even to create art. This brings to mind an excellent example of a man who was supernaturally given this kind of wisdom from Yahuah; His name was Bezalel.
When Yahuah told Moses to build the elaborate tabernacle for Israel to worship Him, Yahuah had prepared a gifted man with great wisdom and skills for the task.
Exodus 31:1-15 And Yahuah spake unto Moses, saying, 2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of Yahuah, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
Yahuah also gave others wisdom to work along with Bezaleel to do all the work that was needed to complete the Tabernacle. Note how the work is phrased: and of those that devise cunning work.
Exodus 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, Yahuah hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of Yahuah, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; 32 And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 33 And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. 34 And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Yahuah also gave David the pattern and details for the temple that his son Solomon would later build. This would take a lot of planning, organizing, focus, visualizing, innovative ways of financing and getting the necessary building materials and workers. (I Chronicles 28:11-21)
Another example of this kind of wisdom (witty inventions) is how David was inspired to compose many beautiful songs and could play skillfully on musical instruments. (Amos 6:5).
This gift of wisdom was also employed by Nathan when he thought up a story about how a rich man took his poor neighbor’s pet lamb to butcher for his guest. David was justifiably angry at the injustice and when Nathan declared “you are the man”, the light went on instantly in David’s head and he then realized the terrible sin he had committed. In this way Nathan clearly illustrated for David what he had done in taking his servant’s wife. He did it through a graphic parable instead of directly telling David that he had sinned in regard to Bathsheba and her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 12).
And of course we know that Yahusha used many parables in His teachings to impart a moral lesson; the Gospels are full of His parables. And if you think of it; the whole Bible is full of parables, similes, metaphors, analogies, stories, prophecies using symbols, etc, etc. We often can relate to what the parable or story is about and it makes learning the lessons they give more potent and more engraved in our thinking.
Other Bible versions use the word “discretion” instead of “witty inventions” in Proverbs 8:12 so let’s look at the definition of “discretion”:
DISCRETION, n. L, a separating. See Discreet.
1. Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding ones own conduct.”
A good man–will guide his affairs with discretion. Psalm 112: 5.
My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion. Proverbs 3:21.
- Prudent; wise in avoiding errors or evil, and in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose; circumspect; cautious; wary; not rash.
As we learned last week “prudence” ormah (Strong’s #6195) means guile, prudence, subtilty, wilily, wisdom. Solomon uses these two different Hebrew words ormah and mezimmah as separate virtues in the seven pillars of wisdom.
Interestingly, Solomon also pairs these two pillars of wisdom in the very beginning of the Book of Proverbs when he says:
Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 1:4 To give subtilty [prudence] to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
In Proverbs 8:12 Solomon pairs prudence and discretion together but they are still two separate components of wisdom.
Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
When we look at the definitions for prudence and discretion we see that the meanings of the two overlap in some ways. It is like the fruit of the Spirit whereas love is one of the components of the fruit, but when we consider long-suffering, kindness, goodness, meekness; these qualities are all aspects of love as well and they often overlap and work in tandem with each other.
Prudence and discretion, as well as the fear of Yahuah, all work together in the lives of those who are applying wisdom to their lives, they are interlaced and they compliment each other.
So why do some Bible translation use the word discretion and the King James version use knowledge of witty inventions in Proverbs 8:12
If we look up the word “discretion” in the English dictionary it has many nuances of meaning and there are many synonyms for discretion but it appears that Solomon is talking about a specific aspect of discretion; the translators of the King James Bible picked up on that aspect more than any other Bible translator and phrased it as “knowledge of witty inventions” rather than just using the term “discretion”.
As we explained earlier, this aspect of wisdom is to devise, imagine, plot or think up something. It is often paired with prudence and prudence includes a measure of discretion as we saw last week in Abigail’s thought-out plan to convince David to overlook her husband’s foolishness and not take action against her household. She not only used prudence but she also used discretion or “knowledge of witty inventions” and her quick thinking and the plan she devised show that she implemented this pillar of wisdom as well as some others.
So prudence and discretion go hand in hand and work together when it comes to applying the wisdom of Yahuah to our everyday living and coming up with solutions to the challenges of life! If only people would exercise all of these things in conducting their lives and in how they treat others.
Here is the English definition of discretion:
1. Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress “the servants showed great tact and discretion”
2. Circumspection, discreetness, prudence
3. Confidentiality, discretion in keeping secret information
4. Discernment, judgment, sagaciousness, sagacity
5. The mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations
6. The trait of judging wisely and objectively
7. The trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight
8. Refined taste; tact, appreciation, discernment, perceptiveness, taste
9. The ability to distinguish; judgment.
10. Discrimination. To distinguish between things.
11. To perceive differences that exist.
12. The condition of understanding.
13. Aesthetic discrimination; taste, appreciation.
14. Perceptiveness.
(https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/discretion)
All of these things are involved when it comes to godly wisdom especially when it comes to the pillar of “knowledge of witty inventions”. But it also has to do with knowing (knowledge) the difference between what is good and what is evil and then consciously choosing what is considered good as Yahuah teaches in His Word. That would be considered discretion or being discreet.
Many translations say “And I find knowledge and discretion”.
Discernment involves first coming to the knowledge of what Yahuah determines as holy and what is profane; and then learn to discern the difference when we have to make decisions or when we are dealing with problems, or people, and then choose Yahuah’s ways in the handling of them. That is what it means to be discreet. So, godly discretion means to discern between good and evil by comparing all things against the standard of Yahuah’s Word and what He considers righteousness! We must always incorporate that distinction in our witty inventions (planning, designing, intent).
Whatever is consistent with the Word of Yahuah is righteous and good, and any departure from any part of the Word of Yahuah is evil! That is the knowledge that Solomon is talking about; we are to find out what Yahuah says is right and good and then implement that knowledge in all of our plans, our devices and intentions for the purpose of His will and His righteousness to be done, whether it be in our thoughts, words, or actions. Discretion is the wisdom to make sure all of our thoughts and behavior are consistent to the ways of Yahuah. To devise witty inventions or witty devises must also be according to the discretion of Yahwey i.e. we plan out solutions or innovations that are appropriate and bring honor to the name of Yahuah. That is wisdom! And this is one of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
We must avoid all that Yahuah considers unholy, whether it be in our thoughts, our speech, our conduct, and in our relationships. We are to learn to be discreet [use discretion] in all that we do separating out from our lives those things that defile or are profane.
Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Ezekiel 22:26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy Yahuah, I will also forget thy children.
As followers of Yahuah we are supposed to be writing His Law into our hearts (into our inner being and character), and when Yahuah’s laws are ingrained into our hearts and we are seeking to obey them with all our hearts, we will instantly discern between the clean and the unclean and will cleave to what is good and holy and right. To know the Word of Yahuah and put it into practice is the wisdom Yahuah calls “discretion” or as the King James Version says “to find the knowledge of witty inventions” (intent, purpose, device).
Jeremiah 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith Yahuah, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Yaweh, and they shall be my people.
Yahuah wants His children to be righteous, clean, to have pure hearts, and to have good intentions in everything they do; and it is also about coming up with good and godly plans when we are faced with challenges. It is about leaning how to think and process life’s events and our interactions with people with discretion; to choose what is right in Yahuah’s eyes.
That is wisdom and “discretion” is one of the pillars (as it is used in Proverbs 8:12) that hold up the house of wisdom. It is the type of wisdom (just as prudence])that forces us to think, to use our minds for the force of good. Discretion is also about thinking a problem through and then coming up with suitable solutions, whether it be to take action; or to hold back and let Yahuah take care of the situation in His way and in His timing.
To use our minds and our inner thoughts to discern between what is good and what is evil and then make plans for good outcomes; or to wisely withdraw from compromising or dangerous predicaments is what Solomon had in mind when he lists “to find the knowledge of witty things” or “discretion” as a pillar of wisdom.
This involves deep spiritual perception for we need godly insights to know how to act wisely when we are faced with complicated situations that threaten to bring us down whether it be physically, as in our personal safety, our livelihoods, our reputations; or spiritually where someone is trying to coerce us to depart from Yahuah’s laws and doctrines and thereby we would lose out on all that He has planned for us. We sometimes must take decisive action after we have thought things through and then choose the wisest course; but also it is to discern when it is wise to hold back and use restraint when the situation warrants it; that too is wisdom!
Sometimes we need to speak up and speak the truth in love, and other times we need to keep things confidential and stay quiet about a thing and let Yahuah handle the problem. That is when discretion comes into play. Discretion is putting wisdom into practice as we go through our personal experiences in life; it comes from our personal growth and maturity as we walk with Yahuah and look to Him for the wisdom we need to overcome every obstacle and every temptation.
Daniel ~ An Example of Discretion
To better understand this aspect of wisdom we can see it plainly played out in action in the lives of Yahuah’s faithful servants. One person that comes readily to mind is Daniel. From the very first chapter of the Book of Daniel we see that Daniel was a person of wisdom and strong character along with his three friends.
Daniel and his friends were among the captives that were taken to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar invaded and took over Judah,
Daniel 1:2 And Yahuah gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of Yahuah: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 1:3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 1:7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
In this chapter of Daniel it says that Daniel and his three Jewish friends were given special gifts of knowledge and understanding directly from Yahuah. “As for these four children, Yahuah gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom…” (Daniel 1:17)
In the next verse we are told that Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with eating the unclean and/or tainted food of the Babylonians.
The fact that Daniel had resolved in his mind that he would NOT eat of the unclean foods is indicative that Daniel had this attitude toward all of Yahuah’s laws and ordinances; but it was this ordinance of foods that are clean and what are unclean to eat that came up to challenge him in this first chapter.
It may seem like a small matter to most reading this account but to Daniel it was a very important matter and he risked his life in order to keep Yahuah’s law of eating only clean food.
This incidence shows us that Daniel and his friends were loyal to their Elohim and were willing to obey Him no matter what, and because of this, Yahuah granted them even more special knowledge and wisdom.
These young lads had determined from their youth that they would stay true to the Yahuah and not defile themselves with the ways of Babylon even though they were captives living in the midst of a pagan nation.
Daniel was the spokesperson and leader of the group and he was especially imbued with wisdom and understanding in visions and dreams….”and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams” (Daniel 1:17).
Daniel set in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s rich food that was set before him. The food probably consisted of unclean meats according to Yahuah’s mandates as given to us in Leviticus 11 and/or they were foods that had been dedicated to the pagan gods of Babylon. Before he did anything he first thought it through and came up with a plan, which showed his wisdom.
We are not told why the food was defiling but Daniel was determined that he would not eat of it. Rather than just blurting out that he would not eat of it, he used careful tack and diplomacy in how he went about presenting his case to the prince of the eunuchs that the king had placed over him and his friends.
Following is the account of how Daniel used discretion to devise a wise stratagem (device) to get out from the requirement to eat the king’s rich and dainty food which Daniel and his three friends considered unfit to eat.
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel and his friends found themselves in a precarious situation: they had to eat to survive and they also had to obey the king’s orders. King Nebuchadnezzar had appointed food and drink for them which they considered defiling and they could not in good conscience eat of it.
Instead of throwing a fit or bewailing their fate Daniel devised a plan, a sagacious idea in which he proposed to the prince of the eunuchs; he asked the eunuch to test him and his three friends to see if their bodies would suffer or show a decline in healthy appearance after ten days of eating only vegetables.
Daniel 1:9 Now Yahuah had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 1:10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 1:13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
The prince of the eunuchs was willing to give them a chance to prove that they would not suffer poor health or poor appearance if they did not eat of the king’s food for ten days.
Daniel 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 1:15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
Daniel’s plan worked and at the end of the ten days of eating only vegetables he and his three friends looked healthier and fit than all the other young men who did eat of the kings fine and dainty food, therefore they were given permission to continue in their vegetarian diet.
Daniel 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Because these young men obeyed Yahuah and were loyal to all of His ways, Yahuah granted them even more knowledge and wisdom.
Daniel 1:17 As for these four children, Yahuah gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
The second half of verse 17 states that Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams, but the way Daniel and his three friends conducted themselves with the many challenges of working for a pagan, unpredictable king demonstrates for us the multifaceted wisdom of Yahuah in action by how they handled the problems that came up from time to time.
In the very next chapter we are told that King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and he demanded that his “wise men” (the magicians, astrologers, his enchanters or soothsayers sorcerers, and Chaldean diviners) supernaturally tell him the dream and its meaning. When they said that they could not possibly do for the king what he was asking the king flew into a rage.
Daniel 2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. 2:11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. 2:12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
Even though Daniel and his friends were not magicians or soothsayers they were still lumped in with what Nebuchadnezzar considered “the wise men” and they were included among the other wise men of Babylon who were slated to be slain.
Daniel 2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. 2:14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: 2:15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
When Arioch the king’s commander came for Daniel and his friends, Daniel remained calm and acted with wisdom when he learned of the King’s decree. Instead of panicking or despairing, Daniel immediately asked the king that he be given a little more time and assured him that he would return to tell him the dream and the interpretation. This shows that Daniel had faith that Yahuah would help him even when it looked impossible.
Daniel 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
Daniel not only had wisdom but he had great faith; faith that Yahuah would reveal to him Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and thereby spare him, his friends and the other wise men.
Daniel and his friends took the situation to the throne room of Yahuah appealing to His mercy that they be delivered from being destroyed by revealing to Daniel the dream and its interpretation.
Daniel 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the Yahuah of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
That night Yahuah revealed the secret to Daniel in a night vision.
Daniel 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the Yahuah of heaven.
Daniel then praised the Great Elohim who is able to reveal secrets; Daniel attributed the ability to interpret the King’s dream to Yahuah, who is the source of all WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE, and for making known to him the secret of the king’s dream and its interpretation. He gave all credit for his wisdom and the insight into the dream to Yahuah!
Daniel 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of Yahuah for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou Elohim of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.
This was not just any dream that was to be revealed but within the dream held the prophecy of the future kingdoms of the world and how they would succeed each other until the King of kings would come in great power (represented by the Stone cut out of a huge mountain) to smite the image (representing all the kingdoms of men upon the earth) on the feet and bring all of the opposing kingdoms of this world (represented by Babylon and the golden image) tumbling down and crushing it to pieces.
Daniel 2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. 2:25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. 2:26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
Daniel continued to give Yahuah the credit for giving him the interpretation of the king’s dream.
Daniel not only had wisdom to interpret dreams, but he also was given the wisdom of knowing how to handle a very volatile situation (discretion), saving himself, his three friends, and all the other wise men living in Babylon.
How did Daniel use the wisdom of discretion in his predicament? First Daniel was able to calm the king down with his sensible approach by asking for more time; then he enlisted his companions to help him in petitioning the King who is above all, who knows all things to reveal to him the dream; and by taking their problem to Yahuah rather than trying to come up with their own imagination of what the dream meant, they showed even more wisdom.
This whole scenario showed that Daniel used godly wisdom in handling an intimidating and rash king, but also by going to Yahuah to give him the extra wisdom and knowledge that he needed to tell the king the interpretation of his dream. Daniel exemplifies for us perfectly the wisdom of Yahuah which includes Knowledge and discretion.
Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 2:28 But there is a Yahuah in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. 2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
Daniel knew that he did not have any superior intelligence of his own to be able to see into the secret things of Yahuah but that it is Yahuah who gives wisdom. It was also Yahuah who gave him the knowledge of the future kingdoms of the world, and not he himself that figured it out.
Wisdom is a gift from Yahuah and it does not originate within ourselves, it comes to us through the indwelling of Yahuah’s set apart spirit which imparts enlightenment and knowledge to His children if they are walking in obedience to Him in all things.
Psalm 111:10 The fear Yahuah is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
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Yahuah was able to use Daniel not only in interpreting the dream for Nebuchadnezzar but also in revealing the significant prophecies that pertain to all the kingdoms of the world and the culmination at the end when all would be fulfilled by the coming of the Kingdom of Yahuah.
And it was because Daniel was obedient even in the (seemingly) little things that Yahuah could use him. Daniel was righteous, humble, had great faith and gave Yahuah all the glory for the wisdom that was given to him. He praised Yahuah and was thankful to Him when Yahuah answered his prayer; he therefore serves as an excellent example for all those down through the ages that would read about the accounts that happened to Daniel and his three friends and how Yahuah worked in their lives.
The whole Book of Daniel is about the life of Daniel and of his faith and wisdom and is a record of the many prophecies that were given to him. He went on to become a mighty prophet of Yahuah and Yahuah’s people can learn so much from Daniel’s many examples of employing the wisdom of Yahuah.
Other Biblical Examples
There are many other biblical examples of Yahuah’s faithful servants using discretion. When we think of witty devices, Jacob comes instantly to mind.
We first read of his shrewd thinking [machinations] to take first the birthright away from Esau and then how he came up with a crafty plan (spurred on by his mother Rebecca) to steal his brother’s blessing. His shrewdness in the beginning were examples of the machination kind of planning.
But later in his life Jacob repented and became a man of the good kind of shrewdness; thinking and planning ahead which had the purpose of doing good and of avoiding trouble in the many challenges that he faced especially with Laban and Esau. (Genesis 25:28-34, 27:1-29, 30:26-43, Genesis 31, 33)
As we read the accounts of David as a fugitive running and hiding from Saul, we see that David had to be very shrewd and to be able to think quickly on his feet as to what to do when confronted with very dangerous situations. Then after he became king he was constantly confronted with difficult situations in his family and in his nation. He had to continuously use prudence and discretion in handling the people who opposed him and accused him.
And think of the prophet Nathan who had to come up with a witty device [use discretion] to tell David that he was an adulterer and murderer and Nathan did it in such a way (with a parable about a pet lamb) that David would instantly be able to relate to it and then see his sins for what they were. By using discretion, Nathan was used by Yahuah to help David acknowledge his sin and at the same time was spared from getting into any trouble because he dared to confront the king.
Queen Esther was very gifted in discretion and how she handled the situation when she found out about Haman’s devious plot against the Jews and then how she discreetly went to the king to seek his favor and a solution, shows that she was indeed a very wise woman.
Esther 4:1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 4:2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4:4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
4:5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.4:6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate. 4:7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman
4:8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, 4:9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
4:10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 4:11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
4:12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. 4:13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
4:15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 4:17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
Esther 5:1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
5:2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. 5:3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. 5:4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
5:5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 5:6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 5:7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; 5:8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
Esther 7:1 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 7:2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. 7:3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.
By her wisdom and how she handled the problem of Haman with discretion, Esther and Mordecai were able to save themselves and all of their Jewish countrymen. The Book of Esther is all about wisdom and using wisdom to devise plans to diffuse evil, and we can learn much about wisdom from reading and studying it.
We see discretion played out in the lives of the many servants of Yahuah throughout the Old Testament and when we come to the Gospels, we read of how Yahusha exercised descretion in many of his encounters with those who wished to trip him up and even kill Him. Here is just one example:
Luke 4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 4:30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,
And then there is Paul who was very skilled in his use of discretion to teach the Gospel but was constantly endangered wherever he went and had to think of ways to escape from dangerous situations.
Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Messiah. 9:23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 9:25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Paul had to repeatedly hide himself from threatening acts against him; he hid himself not because he was a coward, but because it was the prudent thing to do. (See also Acts 9:23-25, 17:13-15, whole chapter Acts 23).
These are just a sampling. Yahusha and all of the apostles used the wisdom of discretion to out-maneuver those who wished them harm and they did what they could by quick thinking to save themselves and others. They also use the discretion Yahuah gave to them to know how to effectively teach and preach the Gospel of the way to Salvation.
Godly Men and Women Must be Discreet and Wise
Psalm 112:4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 112:6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
The Book of Proverbs and also the Psalms give many instructions on what it is to be a wise man or woman of Yahuah. To exercise wisdom a person must be attentive and discerning of all those things going on around him; and not only be attentive but to be able to see beyond the obvious to discern the big picture. A godly person then uses discretion by thinking things through and devising the best solution to solve his problems at the same time applying Yahuah’s principles in any given situation.
Discretion means to be aware of the things that are going on within our sphere of influence and to be able to perceive the possible outcomes when things get challenging. It is also knowing that we are not just struggling against mere men, but in reality, we have to deal with wicked spirits that rule this world behind the scenes and are always plotting against Yahuah and His people.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
It is through thinking and by applying the knowledge of spiritual principles that one devises a practical plan accordingly to bring about the will and the righteousness of Yahuah, just as Daniel did when confronted with the unclean food situation and just as Esther did when she needed to devise a plan to save her people from being destroyed.
A wise man or woman sees a certain situation for what it is and then makes plans as to the best way to avoid sin and/or danger. And there are many examples of men and women in the Bible of being sagacious or showing wisdom in their planning when faced with threats and persecution of all kinds.
As the people of Yahuah, we too need to have this kind of wisdom as we face the challenges of living in an evil world that opposes the things of Yahuah and is intent on destroying every thing that is good and everyone who stands for Yahuah.
The second pillar of Wisdom’s house is having and/or seeking the knowledge of sagacious things. It is knowing what is going on about us and then applying the wisdom and discretion that Yahuah provides to us so that we can wisely plan our strategy for the challenges we face and avoid dangerous pitfalls or compromising situations if at all possible.
The apostle James describes two kinds of wisdom, and goes on to explain that we show His righteousness by our actions when they are accompanied with the kind of wisdom that is from above.
The two kinds of wisdom James talks about are the wisdom of this world: “earthly, sensual, devilish”; and then there is the wisdom that comes from above (wisdom that is of Yahuah). He further describes what that wisdom looks like: It is pure, peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits and is never done for show or in pretense (hypocrisy) .
In the following passage James is describing “discretion” [knowledge of witty inventions] in this passage and says that these things are characteristics of what it means to be a wise man or woman of Yahuah and how we can know if someone is wise in a godly way, or is worldly-wise.
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above [it fruits are] is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
In verse 17 we are told the things that accompany the kind of discretion which is played out when it is done according to the kind of wisdom that Yahuah wants us to display.
Godly discretion employs our minds to focus on those things which are from above and asks: how Yahuah would have us to handle this situation? it is giving serious attention and thought to what is going on around us and taking steps to do what is right and prudent in the eyes of Yahuah in all circumstances.
If we are walking in wisdom and are always mindful of Yahuah’s ways of doing things, we will choose our words, attitudes, and actions carefully to exemplify Yahuah’s values and His godliness. When we use discretion and wisdom and are cautious in any given situation we will avoid the kinds of words and actions that would be harmful or have a negative impact on others, we will treat our brothers and sisters as we ourselves would want to be treated. Discretion is using wisdom in all of our relationships in knowing how to show proper love and care rather then damage them with careless words and harsh treatment.
To be imbued with discretion that comes from above, it must start in the heart. We must resolve and remove anything within ourselves that causes us to have impure motives or any attitude that would cause us to use offensive words or actions to hurt or offend others.
Discretion keeps us from treating others with judgmental attitudes or with condescension. To be rude, inconsiderate, crude, offensive, careless, impulsive, irresponsible, irritable, gossipy, slanderous is making ourselves look foolish and shows a lack of Yahuah’s Spirit. All of these things are the opposite of the kind of wisdom that is from above. If we are lacking in discretion and display any of these negative dispositions toward others, it usually means that we are thoughtless or that we see others as beneath us and that they are not really worth our effort to treat them in a tactful and kind way; and when we act this way we show a lack of discretion. These things should not be the attitude and conduct of any Believer.
In the world in which we live, most people have the mentality that it is okay to express whatever first comes into their mind and say the most hurtful words with no thought of what their attitude (and the words that show their attitude) is doing to the other person. This kind of mentality and behavior is everywhere and can even show up in Yahuah’s ekklesia. The world is becoming more and more crass and mean-spirited in word and conduct; it seems that the art of discretion (even the most basic kind) is becoming a lost virtue.
Yahuah’s called out are to live in ways that show grace and mercy always, and we are to have empathy toward our fellow man and we must NOT allow ourselves to say careless words (deliberately or unintentionally or even in humor) to cause hurt, to discredit, to ruin the reputation of the people we do not agree with, or to tear others down. If we allow gossip and slander to be part of our speech habits we are being used as tools to destroy our brothers and sisters, and the result will be hurt feelings, ruined reputations, and damaged relationships.
Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Discretion is to know when to speak up and when to keep quiet. It involves self restraint when tempted to inflict pain or vindictiveness on others who disagree with us; to exercise control of our words and speech is one of components of the fruit of the Spirit called TEMPERANCE [self-control].
Discretion is also an expression of agape love to others, so we see that being discreet in all that we do plays a big part in keeping the commandments of Yahuah, not only in the letter, but also by exhibiting all the fruits of Yahuah’s Holy Spirit (Please see 1 Corinthians 13).
To be encouraging and uplifting, rather than to cause others to stumble is being lights of Yahuah’s ways and of His righteousness in this world. There are times when we do need to speak the truth in love and there are times when we need to warn and correct, but we must do it with meekness and in all humility.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
The correct way of handling problems that come up between brethren is to go to them discreetly at first and try to work out our misunderstanding confidentially.
Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Discretion is learning how to respond to others in every day life as well as in every difficult situation with thoughtfulness and tact.
Discretion comes from being spiritually mature in Yahusha, and knowing how to apply all the virtues of wisdom, the spiritual fruits of the Spirit, and the Beatitudes as taught in Matthew 5 in everything we think, say, and do. It is spiritual perception into the spiritual principles and intent of Yahuah’s laws and thinking about how would Yahusha handle this particular situation; or how would he respond to this person; would Yahusha say something to a person about a matter or would he restrain from speaking?
The apostle Paul teaches us that growing in all the many aspects of wisdom is a process and as we grow in faith and in the knowledge of Yahuah and through experience, we take on Yahuah’s wisdom and character and become more and more perfect [complete] as we are being molded into His image.
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Yahuah, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Yahusha: 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Yahusha:
As we become more like Yahusha we grow into the knowledge and of the wisdom of what it means to model Yahusha and to walk as He walks in all righteousness. Wisdom is knowing in our heart what is appropriate and what is inappropriate and then responding accordingly in everything we do. Even our choice of clothing is important for it is wisdom in action when we care about how our appearance and decorum [or lack of modesty] may affect those around us.
A mature Believer will be able to discern the difference between what is appropriate and what is not, and then choose what is best rather than choose according to his own pride and whatever he may be feeling at the time. Yahuah’s people must be able to perceive ahead of time the consequences of how their words and actions could affect others around them, or even those far away, and a mature Believer will not allow his moods and feelings to be in control of his actions and his speech. Also, discretion never imputes motives for only Yahuah knows what is really in someone’s heart. It is very important for a Believer to know how to use their words for edification and not for destruction.
James 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 3:9 Therewith bless we Yahuah, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of Yahuah. 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of Yahuah, him shall Yahuah destroy; for the temple of Yahuah is holy, which temple ye are. 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
To put the kind of wisdom that Yahuah requires into action we must remember to think before we speak, and to always be careful not to use offensive language nor ever say things that could hurt someone or be of a slanderous nature.
To exercise the wisdom of discretion we must realize that we are is what we put into our heart, therefore it is imperative that we reject the vile and evil things of this world and then be continually putting Yahuah’s Word into our heart; for what is in our hearts is what comes out of our mouths and also motivates the things we do whether for good or for evil.
Sometimes we may need to take a stand or speak up for what is right, but we must season all our speech with discretion as the apostle Paul instructs:
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of Yahuah, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Yahuah for Yahusha’s sake hath forgiven you.
Yahuah allows us to be tested for it is in the trials of life that we grow and learn how to act as wise spiritual mature children of Yahuah.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
We learn by being challenged sometimes even by our family and friends, and we mature and learn how to be wise through skillful interacting with others. As the children of Yahuah we will take the wisdom we learned in this life into the resurrection with us and implement it then as wise and skillful Kings and Priests who know how to rule wisely in Yahuah’s Kingdom.
Living in a world that is lacking in wisdom and discretion, we as the people of Yahuah must shine brightly to all who see us refusing to act in the ways the world acts and instead following in the steps of Yahusha who was the epitome of what it means to be wise and who acted with discretion in all that He said and in everything that He did.
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of Yahuah, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
To exercise discretion is righteousness and it is keeping the laws of Yahuah even in the spirit and intent of the Law in the way we handle our affairs and by how we interact with others. It is the ability to perceive and then to act in a godly manner. It also involves turning from evil on our own part and also refusing to take part in other men’s sins. It will protect us!
Proverbs 2:10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 2:11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 2:12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 2:14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her Yahuah. 2:18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
Discretion guards us from being seduced by false teachers and being led astray by the charmers and the con-men of this world.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by [knowledge of] sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
In Conclusion
Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Solomon associates wisdom with skillful living. He does not mention the term “skill” here, but these verses are implying that we need certain skills to live the way Yahuah would have us to live. Skill is putting into practice our knowledge and expertise of a thing and then applying that knowledge into doing that thing well, with excellence, being good stewards of all that we possess (including our relationships) as perfectly as we can; it is LIVING WISELY! Most of us acquire many skills in this life, but the Bible focuses on the skills we need to live as Yahuah’s children and how to put Yahuah’s wisdom into practice going in the direction of eternal life and not in the way of destruction.
Humanity’s true purpose is to eventually be made into the spiritual likeness of Yahuah; therefore, the wisdom that Solomon defines is of the biblical wisdom which provides us with skill for living according to Yahuah’s way of life with the end result being resurrected to eternal life as members of Yahuah’s own Family.
At this stage only those who are being called by Yahuah and who desire to live according to all His commandments can access biblical wisdom for it is only available to those in a close relationship with Yahuah. Godly wisdom is a gift of Yahuah of which the worldly people want no part of (Romans 8:4-8, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16).
According to James 1:1-8, those who do want to live for Yahuah and who need to have more wisdom to do so, should ask for Yahuah’s kind of wisdom and He promises that He will give it.
James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of Yahuah, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Often we just read verse 5 and think that Yahuah will instantly give us wisdom, (on some occasions He may very well do that) but if we back up to the previous two verses we read about how patience plays into gaining wisdom.
James is giving us the formula for attaining wisdom; it is by learning to live according to all of Yahuah’s Word in addition to patiently enduring through the trials and challenges of life that we obtain wisdom. Yahuah gives wisdom (and knowledge) to us to be able to handle those challenges and it requires time, a lifetime of living for Yahuah and we must keep asking for it…. just as Daniel had to ask for the wisdom to know how to answer King Nebuchadnezzar. Wisdom, which includes prudence and discretion, are the skills we need to navigate through this present evil world to be successful in our quest to become like Yahuah.
At the very start of the Book of Proverbs Solomon helps to define WISDOM by showing that it consists of many characteristics such as: the knowledge of Yahuah Himself, the fear of Yahuah, understanding, perception, discernment, prudence, discretion, justice, equity, etc., all of which when integrated together and put to practice produce the skills we need to live in alignment with Yahuah’s purpose and way of life and will eventually take us into His marvelous Kingdom.
As we know, many people in this world are intelligent and are worldly-wise but being worldly-wise is different than having godly wisdom. Yahuah’s wisdom contains those spiritual qualities that help us to live our lives in accordance with Yahuah’s Law and according to Yahuah’s purposes for us.
Practicing biblical wisdom may or may not provide a measure of worldly success in this life for those who seek Yahuah’s righteousness are often maligned and persecuted, but as Solomon teaches: the primary purpose is to equip us to live a godly life which prepares us for the glorious life that Yahuah has in store for those who remain faithful to Him until the very end.
Wisdom and the pillars of wisdom, including discretion and knowledge of witty inventions, are truly blessings for those who seek after them, they are like choice gold. They make it possible to come to the knowledge of Yahuah and then apply that knowledge in every aspect of living, making right choices enabling us to glorify our heavenly Father by our lives; and as we do so we are building the kind of character that He wants us to have, the same character that He and His Son Yahusha have.
Solomon so eloquently describes the delights and the rewards of seeking after and finding wisdom…he proclaims that to possess the wisdom of Yahuah is more valuable than anything this world has to offer and as he says: “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her”.
And once we have been given this most valuable gift we must never let it slip away from us and we must never let any man take it from us: “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:”
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
3:19 Yahuah by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 3:21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 3:22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. 3:23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Proverbs 8:22 “Yahuah already possessed me long ago,when his way began, before any of his works. 23 I was appointed from everlasting from the first, before the earth began. 24 I was born before there were oceans, before there were springs filled with water. 25 I was born before the mountains were settled in their places and before the hills, 26 when he had not yet made land or field or the first dust of the world. 27 “When he set up the heavens, I was there. When he traced the horizon on the surface of the ocean, 28 when he established the skies above, when he determined the currents in the ocean,
29 when he set a limit for the sea so the waters would not overstep his command, when he traced the foundations of the earth, 30 I was beside him as a master craftsman.I made him happy day after day, I rejoiced in front of him all the time, 31 found joy in his inhabited world and delighted in the human race.
If you think about it, all of creation is a product of Elohim’s witty inventions; and creation includes each and every individual as well. You could say that “I am a product of Yahuah’s witty inventions for I was created to be a unique child of Yahuah made in His image!”
BelleAnge
All Scripture quotes are from the King James Version of the Bible (with the real names of Yahuah and Yahshua used in place of titles) unless otherwise stated.
Photo Credits: (Public Domain – Fair Use) Images used here are solely for educational, commentary, and illustrative purposes.
The Silver Trumpets 