Wisdom

 December 8, 2022

The backstory is pretty straightforward. The Israelites had crossed the Jordan. The invasion had begun. Jericho had fallen, the little outpost of Ai was wiped off the map, and Israel was poised to conquer all of Canaan. One day, an envoy from far away visited. Their clothes were in tatters, their provisions were stale, everything about them told the story of a long and difficult journey. They came to sue for peace, explaining that Israel’s reputation had spread like wildfire, and though they were from a distant land, they wanted to make sure there would be peace between them. So the leaders of Israel agreed to a peace treaty.

Joshua 9 tells the story, and the heart of it is in verse 9: “They did not ask counsel of the LORD.” They had examined these strangers’ clothes and provisions; everything seemed reasonable, but not everything is always as it seems. Turns out, this envoy wasn’t from far away; they were near neighbors, and had come with the express purpose of deceiving God’s people, forcing them to compromise God’s purposes.

Not everything is always as it seems, and many are the times I’ve made decisions that seemed reasonable, but turned out to be disastrous. The key is found in that ninth verse: “They didn’t ask counsel of the LORD.” How often do we think things through, weigh the options, and make decisions, while neglecting to ask God’s opinion? Sometimes we use prayer as a bookend, asking for guidance in rote fashion, and thanking God for wisdom in Jesus’ name, but never seriously seeking his face? We end up making decisions based more in our emotional baggage than in the Holy Spirit. 

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). The words “division of soul and spirit” point to this reality. The word soul is from the Greek “psuche,” which is where we get the word psychology. It signifies the inner human life we know, the psyche, if you will; the spirit on the other hand, is that part of us that connects with God. It can be hard to tell the difference between the two. Seeking God means prayerfully searching the Scriptures which help us discern between our own motives and those of God.

In addition to reason (thinking things through and weighing the options), if I want to make wiser decisions, I will take the time to inquire of God, giving him space to speak and help me discern between my own motives and God’s best. Jeremiah’s word is still true: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (17:9) Certainly not me. He gives us the answer in the next verse: “I the LORD search the heart…” Trusting in my own wisdom is a sure-fire way to misfire. Instead, the wisdom of Proverbs is a Rock on which we can stand: 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

And lean not on your own understanding; 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He shall direct your paths. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes; 

Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 

It will be health to your flesh, 

And strength to your bones.”

—Proverbs 3:5-8