August 4 - Secret of Wisdom 지혜를 얻는 비결

August 4 - Secret of Wisdom

 

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” - Proverbs 1:7

 

 
Solomon is making an absolute statement against any knowledge that precedes the LORD. In this context, "fear" does not imply a sense of horror, despair, or fright. It is a strong term, for sure. Here, it points more towards a sense of extreme respect. This is the sense in which mature adults "fear" things like fire, knives, or chemicals. It's not panic and terror but does come with a suggestion of consequences. According to the Bible, true knowledge cannot exist without a reverent "fear" of God.Certainly, many very intelligent individuals do not follow God, so this statement can seem contradictory. 

 

In the original Hebrew phrasing, "the beginning" does not point to knowledge but belongs to the "fear of the LORD." The same phrase can be more literally translated as "giving priority to." In this context, "beginning" means the principal place in time, space, and order. The contention here is not that one cannot obtain knowledge apart from God. Instead, this implies that knowledge is out of place apart from the fear of the LORD.Knowledge itself can become an idol and take the top place in one's life (Romans 1:22). Solomon learned throughout his life that there is a vast difference between worldly knowledge and godly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25). 

 

In this book, he is warning us to put things in the proper order. The "fear of the LORD" is the beginning: it should hold the chief position, the place of priority in our lives, and then we will obtain knowledge and put it into its proper place. However, we should give individual instruction because knowledge should stay on top of the LORD as a priority. Instead, when everything is in its proper place, we will fear the LORD, obtain knowledge, and enjoy wise instruction.

 

When Solomon succeeded in gaining the throne of King David, he asked for only one thing from God: wisdom and knowledge. God blessed him with wisdom (1 Kings 4:29). Thus, King Solomon ruled Israel with wisdom from God. The key to wisdom is the fear of the LORD, according to King SoOur faith. And, he added, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

 

In the New Testament, wisdom is emphasized in Jesus Christ. Paul describes Jesus Christ as the incarnation of God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24). “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Paul gives us a lesson by saying “to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9). Paul also sees wisdom as a gift from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8). All these words teach us that the wisdom of God is revealed in Jesus Christ. When we ask for God's wisdom, we must first allow Jesus deeply. As we get to know Jesus more and more, we can have the answer to the problems of doubt we face. 

 

Therefore, wisdom dwells in Jesus Christ and is given to us when we live in Jesus Christ. James advises us to seek wisdom from God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5). God gives us wisdom abundantly and generously. And when God gives us wisdom, He does not reproach us. God gives wisdom to a man who seeks wisdom, and He waits, allowing for it. He wants to give more than we ask for. 

 

 

Today’s Prayer: Pray for opportunities to use your home or apartment to minister the welcoming love of Christ to unsaved loved ones. 

Prayer Pointer: I believe in prayer. It is the best way we have to draw strength from heaven. –Josephine Baker

Bible Reading: Luke 11:33-54

 

 

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8월 4일 - 지혜를 얻는 비결

 

“여호와를 경외하는 것이 지식의 근본이어늘” - 잠 1:7

 

 

하나님보다 더 우선하는 지식에 관해 솔로몬은 단언적으로 말합니다. "경외하는 것”은 것은 두려움이나 절망 또는 공포감을 의미하지 않습니다. 경외한다는 말은 매우 강한 용어이며 잠언 1:7에서 “경외하는 것”은 극도로 존경하는 마음을 뜻합니다. 성숙한 사람이 불과 칼, 화학 물질 같은 것을 두려워한다는 의미입니다. 이것은 공황과 공포는 아니지만 어떤 결과가 있다는 뜻입니다. 성경은 하나님을 경외하지 않는 지식은 존재하지 않는다고 말합니다. 

 

이 세상에는 하나님을 믿지 않는 지식인들이 많기 때문에 잠언 1:7은 모순처럼 보일 수 있습니다. 그러나 히브리어 성경에서 "지식의 근본이어늘” 에서 근본은 지식을 가리키는 것이 아니라 여호와를 경외하는 것을 가리킵니다. 이 말씀의 문맥에서 "근본"이라는 단어는 시간, 공간 및 질서의 중요한 위치를 의미합니다. 이 말씀의 논지는 하나님을 떠나서는 지식을 얻을 수 없다는 것이 아니라 여호와 하나님을 경외하는 지식이 없이는 그 지식은 바른 지식이 아니라는 것입니다. 

 

지식 자체가 우상이 되어 우리의 삶의 우선이 될 수 있습니다(롬 1:22). 솔로몬은 세상적인 지식과 경건한 지혜 사이에는 큰 차이가 있다는 것을 생애를 통해서 배웠습니다(고전 1:25). 잠언에서 솔로몬은 사물을 바른 순서대로 보아야 한다고 경고합니다. "여호와를 경외하는 것"이 시작이 됩니다. 하나님을 경외하는 것이 우리의 삶에 가장 중요한 위치, 즉 최우선 순위에 있어야 합니다. 그리고 지식을 얻으면 그 지식을 바른 위치에 놓여지게 됩니다.  지식을 하나님보다 우선에 두어서는 안된다고 해서 지혜의 교훈을 멸시해서는 안 됩니다. 모든 것이 제위치에 있을 때 하나님을 경외하고 지식을 얻고, 지혜의 교훈을 누리게 됩니다.   

 

솔로몬은 부친 다윗을 이어 왕위에 오르면서 하나님께 오직 한 가지 소원인 지혜와 지식을 간구했습니다. 하나님은 그에게 지혜를 주셨고(왕상 4:29), 솔로몬 왕은 하나님의 지혜로 이스라엘 백성을 다스렸습니다. 그는 삶의 지혜를 얻는 비결은 곧 여호와를 경외하는 것이라고 말합니다(잠 1:7). “너는 마음을 다하여 여호와를 의뢰하고 네 명철을 의지하지 말라 너는 범사에 그를 인정하라 그리하면 네 길을 지도하시리라 스스로 지혜롭게 여기지 말지어다 여호와를 경외하며 악을 떠날지어다”(잠 3:5-7).

 

신약에서는 예수 그리스도안에 지혜가 있음을 가르칩니다. 바울은 성육신 하신 예수 그리스도 자신이 하나님의 지혜라고 말합니다(고전 1:24). “예수는 하나님께로 나와서 우리에게 지혜와 의로움과 거룩함과 구속함이 되셨으니”(고전 1:30). 그는 “너희로 하여금 모든 신령 한 지혜와 총명에 하나님의 뜻을 아는 것으로 세우게 하시고”(골 1:9)라고 골로새 교회를 위해 기도합니다. 또한 지혜를 성령의 은사 중 하나라고 가르칩니다(고전 12:8). 이 모든 구절에서 바울이 말하는 것은 예수 그리스도 안에 하나님의 지혜가 계시되어 있다는 것입니다. 그러므로 하나님의 지혜를 구하려면, 먼저 예수 그리스도와 더 깊은 믿음의 연합이 있어야 합니다. 예수 그리스도를 더 많이 알아 갈수록 마음의 의심의 문제도 해결됩니다. 

 

그러므로 지혜는 그리스도안에 있고, 주님 안에 살아가는 자들은 그 지혜를 얻을 수 있습니다. 야고보는 모든 사람에게 후히 주시고 꾸짖지 아니하시는 하나님께 구하면 지혜를 얻는다고 가르칩니다(약 1:5). 하나님께서는 지혜를 주시되, 넘치도록 풍족하게 부어 주시고 지혜를  주시면서 절대 꾸짖지 않으십니다. 하나님께서는 지혜를 구하는 모든 자에게 지혜를 주시며, 또한 우리가 지혜를 구할 때가지 참고 기다리시고 구하는 것 이상으로 주시는 것입니다.

 

 

오늘의 기도: 당신의 집이나 아파트가 구원받지 못한 사랑하는 사람들을 위해 그리스도의 사랑으로 섬겨주는 도구와 장소의 기회가 되도록 기도하십시오. 

기도 지침: “나는 기도를 믿는다. 기도는 하늘의 능력을 이끌어 내는 최상의 방법이다.” – 조세핀 베이커

성경 읽기: 누가복음 11:33-54