The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom. Men like Moses and Joshua are extolled for their wisdom, for having God’s mind and walking in God’s ways. The wisdom of God is celebrated greatly in the Psalms, Job refers to wisdom often, the book of Proverbs is almost completely a statement on what wisdom in man looks like and doesn’t look like. James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Centuries earlier Solomon had already proved James’ word true. In I Kings 3, in a dream God said to Solomon “Ask! What shall I give you?” Solomon asked God for wisdom, verse 10 says that Solomon’s request pleased the LORD and He gave Him wisdom like no man has seen before or after. My favorite verse on wisdom is Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” What we find in this verse is that wisdom is from God and for God but even more that wisdom is something we actively participate in rather than simply something we have or don’t have. Wisdom begins with reverence, with understanding God’s position and then also realizing our position. Knowledge is a possession, understanding is an ability, but wisdom, wisdom is a partnership; it is the searching out of someone that has greater knowledge, understanding and experience and choosing to follow that person. Wisdom is the realization of character in others that should be followed and character in ourselves that needs to be built; wisdom is a partner with humility because it is impossible to be wise and proud at the same time. In fact, if you study Solomon’s life closely, the wisest man that ever lived was wise until he became proud of his wisdom, in that moment, in that season of his life, Solomon made foolish decisions that actually led him to worship other gods and while he didn’t lose the blessing of God he did lose the joy and nearness of living in the reverence that creates wisdom. Wisdom is so important that Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a parable that defines wisdom and reveals foolishness. As we have been talking about for weeks, Jesus has finished teaching and has called us to respond. He has told us to enter the narrow gate, to walk the narrow way to beware of false prophets and now He simply tells us to do what He has said. In John 14:15 Jesus said “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”, a few verses later He said “if anyone loves Me He will keep my commandments.” Today, as Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount what we find is that just as love is displayed through obedience, Jesus’ definition of wisdom is simply hearing and doing what He has said.