Wisdom may be defined as intelligent perception, correct interpretation of events, or as “sacred sense.”
The concept of wisdom in the book of Proverbs is feminine in language (1:20-21; 3:13-20; 4:5-9; 8: 1-36; and here in 9:1-6). Early In this ninth chapter Lady Wisdom is portrayed as hosting a banquet at her house or palace which is built around seven prominent pillars. If you are looking for them, these seven pillars will begin to surface as you read through Proverbs. They emerge in the form of about thirty Hebrew words. In comparing these words and grouping those together that have similar meanings, they will fall into seven categories. At first this may seem magical, or perhaps, coincidental. In actuality, it is more like finding hidden treasure. The pillars of wisdom are as follows:
KNOWLEDGE – intelligence gained through experience or observation
TRUTH – adherence to objective facts
DISCIPLINE – teaching or training that corrects, molds, and matures
RIGHTEOUSNESS – moral excellence
HUMILITY – a prevailing attitude of confident submission
DISCRETION – good judgment in conduct and speech
UNDERSTANDING – intelligence gained from skillful reasoning and analysis
All seven of these may be integrated into every possible relationship, including marriage, family, discipleship, community, business, and justice. James 3:17-18 gives a seven-fold description of wisdom from a New Testament perspective.
Present culture has counterfeited each of these seven pillars, and as a result, multitudes have been led down a tragic pathway. This will be the subject of the next post.