In the Bible, the book of Proverbs tells us: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”. (Proverbs 9:10).

However, our search for wisdom needs to continue forever after we begin with the fear of the LORD.

We can see from the Bible that we should continually search for wisdom everywhere: to include wisdom gained from nature, from listening to other people, and from every experience in our life and world.

For example, we can learn wisdom by observing nature.

Proverbs Chapter 30, Verse 25 teaches us that ants “are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in summer.”

The Apostle Paul wrote to believers in Rome:

what may be known about God is plain to [people], because God made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made . .  .  . (Romans 1:19-20).

Indeed, when [non-Jews], who do not have the [Law of Moses], do by nature the things required by [the Law of Moses], they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the [Law of Moses]. They show that the requirements of the [Law of Moses as embodied in Jesus (Matthew 5:17)] are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them. (Romans 2:14-15).

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used nature to teach us to have the wisdom to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.

By acting in this wise Way of Jesus: we are children of our Father in heaven. Why? Because God our Father “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44-45).

Jesus taught that, from this wisdom seen in nature, we can learn to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48).

We can also learn wisdom by listening to the wisdom of other people, including the wisdom of people who do not begin their search for wisdom with the fear of the LORD.

As the Introduction to Proverbs in the New Jewish Study Bible (NJPS) notes:

The Wisdom texts in the [Jewish] Bible are Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiates, which need to be read within the framework of an international Near Eastern wisdom tradition. [In the Christian Bible we also find Wisdom texts in many teachings of Jesus (most notably his Sermon on the Mount) and in the Book of James (the brother of Jesus).

They offer instructions and observations directing the reader in the formation of ethical character and in leading a successful and happy life. . . . . Compositions very similar in character and content were written in Egypt and Mesopotamia. . ..

Egyptian wisdom books in particular are close in form and content to Proverbs. Most important is the instruction of Amenemope . . . which is the source of much of Proverbs 22.17-23.11.

(NJSB, at 1437-1438; In the NJSB, also read the Essays:  “Intro to Kethuvim”, at pages 1263-1264; and “Religion of the Bible, ‘The Wisdom Tradition’”, at pages 1994-1996).

Wisdom was a determinedly international and humanistic tradition. The wise of all nations communicated with each other; genres, themes, and even language crossed boundaries freely. . . . [B]iblical wisdom texts are replete with themes and language drawn from foreign wise men. (NJSB, at page 1995).

We can learn Wisdom from every experience in our life and in our world.

In the Way of Jesus—in the Way of Wisdom (John 1:1-5; Proverbs Chapter 8 and Job Chapter 28 (NJSB, at page 1995))—every experience in your life and in your world should

add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. (2 Peter 1:5-7).

And so, in this Way of Jesus—in this Way of Wisdom (John 1:1-5; Proverbs Chapter 8 and Job Chapter 28 (NJSB, at page 1995))—every experience in your life and in your world should teach you how to become a wise person who builds the house of your life, your family, your faith community, your economy, your government, your nation, and your civilization on the rock [by putting the words of Jesus into practice].

Why?

Because Jesus promised us that when “the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25).

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Do you learn Wisdom by fearing the LORD? How? Why?

Do you learn Wisdom by listening to the wisdom of other people, including the wisdom of people who do not fear the LORD? How? Why?

Do you learn Wisdom from every experience in your life and in your world? How? Why?

Are some ways of learning wisdom more useful at different times and circumstances of your life and your world? How? Why?

In which times and circumstances of your life and your world is observing nature most useful to find wisdom? Listening to other people? The book of Proverbs? Job? Ecclesiastes? Sayings of Jesus, especially his Sermon on the Mount? James? How? Why?

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For related ideas, please read my blogs “Acting Wisely: Timing Is Everything”, “Alcatraz: Escaping by Using Countervailing Powers Wisely”, “Building Houses on Rock: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”, “Building Houses on Rock: Mercy and Forgiveness”, “Civilizations and Governments: Giving Wisdom Without Finding Fault”, “Civilizations and Governments: Mercy Is the Power that Preserves”, and “Civilizations and Governments: An Independent Path”.