Letters To My Son: The Way of Wisdom

The Way of Wisdom

Dear Misael,

              I have been thinking a lot about what I should write to you about and the words “The Way of Wisdom” kept ringing in my ears and believe or not it was in Hebrew (haderek hokmah) which is found in Proverbs 14:11 “I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.” The book of Proverbs is the book of Wisdom in the Bible.  Salomon wrote it (Proverbs 1:1), and much of it directed to his son. He is known as the wisest man in the Bible not because of his own doing, but because he asked God to give him wisdom and God granted it to Him (2 Chronicles 1:10).  Yet he wasn’t perfect and made many mistakes. In fact, the Bible says that his heart wasn’t devoted to God like his father David’s had been: “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:4-NIV) In fact, this act was foolish and Salomon did not follow his own advice.

            Wisdom is the God-given skill or ability to make right decisions when presented with various choices, whether they are morally right or wrong.  Sometimes making a decision involves making a choice between what is right and wrong, but in such case it is not too hard to determine which is the path to take.  But sometimes situations are presented that are not morally right or wrong (read how Salomon dealt with a difficult situation and made a wise decision in 1 Kings 3) and wisdom is necessary.  In the Old Testament the word “Hokmah” is used for the men who were very given wisdom or skill by the Holy Spirit for building the Tabernacle (Exodus 28:3, 31:3).  In the New Testament the word “Sophia” is used for Wisdom.  A person who has wisdom is very cunning; he or she is very keen in observing behavior, opportunities, and choices and is able to make the best decision for the best desired outcome.

        Proverbs 1:7 says that it is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom.  In other 

words, when you understand who God is, and you fill your life with his knowledge, then you will be able to make “skillful” decisions.


Note: These letters have been edited.