Be Skillful (Proverbs): God's Guidebook to Wise Living
5/5
()
About this ebook
Our world yearns for how-to guides and the secret to a fulfilled life. However, no truth is man-made. The wisdom that God granted to King Solomon is the same wisdom that would benefit us today—if only we would seek it.
The book of Proverbs offers principles to develop godly character daily. From the dangers of speaking without listening to the satisfaction inherent in fearing the Lord, author Warren Wiersbe will unpack the Scriptures in ways that will help you apply these spiritual truths.
Having pastored three churches, Wiersbe is a man who has dedicated his life to a deep understanding of the Word. Allow the insight he's gained over the years to penetrate your heart. Soon, wisdom will be your companion, and folly your sworn enemy.
Warren W. Wiersbe
Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as "the pastor’s pastor." He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Read more from Warren W. Wiersbe
The Defining Verse: Find Your Life’s Sentence Through the Lives of 63 Bible Characters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5With the Word: The Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Handbook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Right (Romans): How to Be Right with God, Yourself, and Others Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Rich (Ephesians): Gaining the Things That Money Can't Buy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Loyal (Matthew): Following the King of Kings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Strategy of Satan Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Worshipful (Psalms 1-89): Glorifying God for Who He Is Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Comforted (Isaiah): Feeling Secure in the Arms of God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Complete (Colossians): Become the Whole Person God Intends You to Be Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Mature (James): Growing Up in Christ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Joyful (Philippians): Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Free (Galatians): Exchange Legalism for True Spirituality Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Satisfied (Ecclesiastes): Looking for the Answer to the Meaning of Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Exultant (Psalms 90-150): Praising God for His Mighty Works Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Alive (John 1-12): Get to Know the Living Savior Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Alert (2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, Jude): Beware of the Religious Impostors Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Amazed (Minor Prophets): Restoring an Attitude of Wonder and Worship Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Basic (Genesis 1-11): Believing the Simple Truth of God's Word Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Proverbs: God's Guidebook to Wise Living Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Diligent (Mark): Serving Others as You Walk with the Master Servant Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Faithful (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon): It's Always Too Soon to Quit! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Strong (Joshua): Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Be Committed (Ruth & Esther): Doing God's Will Whatever the Cost Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBe Confident (Hebrews): Live by Faith, Not by Sight Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Successful (1 Samuel): Attaining Wealth That Money Can't Buy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Holy (Leviticus): Becoming "Set Apart" for God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: 1 Peter: How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to Be Skillful (Proverbs)
Related ebooks
Be Satisfied (Ecclesiastes): Looking for the Answer to the Meaning of Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Responsible (1 Kings): Being Good Stewards of God's Gifts Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Be Counted (Numbers): Living a Life That Counts for God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Distinct (2 Kings & 2 Chronicles): Standing Firmly Against the World's Tides Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Proverbs: New European Christadelphian Commentary Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings2 Samuel: David's Heart Revealed Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings1 Kings 1 to 11, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes: The Rise and Fall of Solomon Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Mature (James): Growing Up in Christ Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Proverbs: God's Guidebook to Wise Living Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Worshipful (Psalms 1-89): Glorifying God for Who He Is Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Joyful (Philippians): Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Confident (Hebrews): Live by Faith, Not by Sight Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Alive (John 1-12): Get to Know the Living Savior Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Strong (Joshua): Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Be Successful (1 Samuel): Attaining Wealth That Money Can't Buy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Complete (Colossians): Become the Whole Person God Intends You to Be Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Comforted (Isaiah): Feeling Secure in the Arms of God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Obedient (Genesis 12-25): Learning the Secret of Living by Faith Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Amazed (Minor Prophets): Restoring an Attitude of Wonder and Worship Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Alert (2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, Jude): Beware of the Religious Impostors Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Equipped (Deuteronomy): Acquiring the Tools for Spiritual Success Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Basic (Genesis 1-11): Believing the Simple Truth of God's Word Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Wise (1 Corinthians): Discern the Difference Between Man's Knowledge and God's Wisdom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Faithful (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon): It's Always Too Soon to Quit! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Patient (Job): Waiting on God in Difficult Times Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Delivered (Exodus): Finding Freedom by Following God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be Hopeful (1 Peter): How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Dynamic (Acts 1-12): Experience the Power of God's People Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Ecclesiastes: Looking for the Answer to the Meaning of Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
Confessions Of Saint Augustine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better (updated with two new chapters) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lost Books of the Bible and The Forgotten Books of Eden Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Dragon's Prophecy: Israel, the Dark Resurrection, and the End of Days Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Reflections on the Psalms Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Doing Life with Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and the Welcome Mat Out Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Pray: Reflections and Essays Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Return of the Gods Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Be Skillful (Proverbs)
4 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Be Skillful (Proverbs) - Warren W. Wiersbe
BE SKILLFUL
Published by David C Cook
4050 Lee Vance Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.
Integrity Music Limited, a Division of David C Cook
Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2RE, England
DAVID C COOK® and related marks are registered trademarks of David C Cook.
All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,
no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form
without written permission from the publisher.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (Public Domain.) Scripture quotations marked
nasb
are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © Copyright 1960, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by
permission;
nkjv
are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved;
niv
are taken from the Holy Bible,
New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved;
rsv
are taken from the Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971], Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved; and
tlb
are taken from The Living Bible, © 1971,
Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60189. Used by permission.
Library of Congress Control Number 2008937434
ISBN 978-1-4347-6733-2
eISBN 978-0-7814-0538-6
© 1995 Warren W. Wiersbe
First edition of Be Skillful by Warren W. Wiersbe published by Victor Books®
in 1995 © Warren W. Wiersbe, ISBN 978-1-56476-430-0
The Team: Karen Lee-Thorp, Amy Kiechlin, Jack Campbell, and Susan Vannaman
Series Cover Design: John Hamilton Design
Cover Photo: iStockphoto
Contents
The Big Idea: An Introduction to Be Skillful by Ken Baugh
A Word from the Author
1. Don’t Just Make a Living, Make a Life! (Introduction to the Book of Proverbs)
2. Is Anybody Listening? (Proverbs 1:7–33; 8—9)
3. The Path of Wisdom and Life (Proverbs 2—4)
4. The Path of Folly and Death (Proverbs 5—7)
Interlude
5. People, Wise and Otherwise—Part I (The Wise and the Wicked)
6. People, Wise and Otherwise—Part II (The Simple, Scorner, and Fool)
7. Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief
8. Family, Friends, and Neighbors
9. A Matter of Life or Death (Human Speech)
10. Make Way for the Righteous!
11. Enjoying God’s Guidance
12. Popular Sins (Drunkenness, Disrespect, Illusion, Greed, Pride)
13. This God Is Our God
Notes
The Big Idea
An Introduction to Be Skillful
by Ken Baugh
King Solomon was the wisest man who had ever lived. He asked God for a discerning heart
and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong,
and God granted his request (1 Kings 3:9, 12 niv). Not only that, but the Lord was so pleased with Solomon’s request that he also gave him riches and honor
(v. 13 niv)—so much so that during his lifetime, Solomon had no equal.
One would think that the king who had everything—all the riches and fame one could possibly imagine—would be on top of the world all the time. Yet when you read his outlook on life recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes, you get a very different picture. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun
(Eccl. 2:11 niv). Wow. How could a man who had everything come to such a place of despair? What happened to him? I mean, the first twenty years of Solomon’s reign were amazing. He had peace on every side of his kingdom, God blessed him with wisdom and wealth beyond any king of his day, he completed the temple that David his father instructed him to build, he designed and built for himself a magnificent palace, and he had an incredible amount of money—an annual income equivalent to $328 million in our day. And in addition to all of this, Solomon had the respect and admiration of the entire world! So how did a guy who had all of this fall into the pit of despair? I believe the answer is that Solomon didn’t obey the Lord; he knew God’s Word but did not apply it to his life.
I think there is a formula to wisdom: wisdom = knowledge + obedience. Solomon had all the knowledge; he always knew what God wanted him to do. He just didn’t do it. There’s a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is knowing the right thing to do; wisdom is actually doing it. That’s why I think the Big Idea that runs throughout the book of Proverbs is not just getting more and more knowledge—instead, it’s choosing to apply that knowledge in ways that honor and please the Lord. True wisdom is seen through an obedient life.
Solomon knew what he needed to do to please the Lord because God had given him a wise and discerning heart
(1 Kings 3:12 niv), but he chose not to obey. That’s the difference between a foolish person and a wise person. Fools just blow off what they know they should do, but a wise person turns knowledge into action. James says the same thing: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says
(James 1:22 niv). Frankly, I think Solomon should have asked the Lord not only for wisdom but also for the desire to be obedient. Let’s take a quick survey of Solomon’s life and try to discover where he went wrong so that we can avoid making the same mistakes. As I have studied Solomon’s life, I have discovered three specific sins that led to his demise.
Solomon’s first sin was that he did not trust in the protection of the Lord. God forbade the kings of Israel from accumulating horses and chariots because those could lead a king away from trusting solely in the Lord as his protector: The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them
(Deut. 17:16 niv). But Solomon disobeyed the Lord. The Bible tells us that Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses, and twelve thousand horses
(1 Kings 4:26 niv). Instead of trusting in the Lord to protect him and his kingdom, Solomon put his trust in himself and his army.
Solomon’s second sin was that he did not trust in the promise of the Lord. Solomon built up a large number of fortified cities, such as Gezer, around Jerusalem as major defensive outposts to defend against any Philistine attack. He also fortified Hazor north of Jerusalem to protect the city from northern invaders. And he fortified Megiddo in order to protect a major trade route that connected the Plain of Sharon and the seacoast to the valley of Jezreel. In addition, according to 1 Kings 9:16–17, Solomon fortified a number of other important cities. So as you can see, Solomon was building a defensive perimeter around his kingdom to protect the city of Jerusalem and all his interests. Now, here is the ironic thing: Solomon had no enemies, because God had promised his father David that during the reign of his son there would be peace. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign
(1 Chron. 22:9 niv). God had promised peace during Solomon’s reign, so why did Solomon feel the need to fortify cities around his kingdom? Simply put, it was because he did not trust in the promise of the Lord.
Solomon’s third sin was that he did not trust in the provision of the Lord. Again, the Lord forbade the kings of Israel from marrying foreign women and from amassing large amounts of wealth (see Deut. 17:17), but Solomon ignored these instructions too. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines
(1 Kings 11:3 niv). Having wives of royal birth was Solomon’s way of creating alliances with all the other nations around him in order to secure the peace, and the three hundred concubines make it clear that Solomon was a ladies’ man. He was also incredibly wealthy, and according to Ecclesiastes 2:8 he said, I amassed silver and gold for myself
(niv). Again, Solomon did exactly the opposite of what the Lord instructed him to do as the king. He [the king] must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold
(Deut. 17:17 niv).
Now, you tell me—are these the actions of a wise man who is applying his knowledge to a lifestyle of obedience that brings honor to the Lord, or are these the actions of a man who is foolishly trusting in himself? Suffice to say, Solomon did not practice what he preached; he did not apply his knowledge to a lifestyle of obedience, and as such, he suffered the consequences. But we can learn from Solomon’s example; we can practice what he preached in the Proverbs and learn from his mistakes.
I hope you will. I hope as you read through Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary on Proverbs, you will keep the story of Solomon and his failures in the back of your mind and decide to live differently. Every one of us who calls Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior can be wise if we choose to obey the Word of the Lord instead of ignoring it like King Solomon. Remember, true wisdom is composed of equal amounts of knowledge and obedience.
***
Dr. Wiersbe’s commentaries have been a source of guidance and strength to me over the many years that I have been a pastor. His unique style is not overly academic, but theologically sound. He explains the deep truths of Scripture in a way that everyone can understand and apply. Whether you’re a Bible scholar or a brand-new believer in Christ, you will benefit, as I have, from Warren’s insights. With your Bible in one hand and Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary in the other, you will be able to accurately unpack the deep truths of God’s Word and learn how to apply them to your life.
Drink deeply, my friend, of the truths of God’s Word, for in them you will find Jesus Christ, and there is freedom, peace, assurance, and joy.
—Ken Baugh
Pastor of Coast Hills Community Church
Aliso Viejo, California
A Word from the Author
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
asked the late British poet T. S. Eliot. Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?
¹
We are living in the information age, but we certainly are not living in the age of wisdom. Many people who are wizards with their computers seem to be amateurs when it comes to making a success out of their lives. Computers can store data and obey signals, but they cannot give us the ability to use that knowledge wisely. What’s needed today is wisdom.
The book of Proverbs is about godly wisdom, how to get it and how to use it. It’s about priorities and principles, not get-rich-quick schemes or success formulas. It tells you not how to make a living but how to be skillful in the lost art of making a life.
As you read, please keep your Bible before you and look up the many Bible references in these chapters. To skip over them is to miss some important truth; after all, what God has written is far more important than what I write! Also, read the notes section. There’s a good deal of helpful material in them that I couldn’t include in the text. I don't want you to miss it.
As never before, the church desperately needs people who understand and practice the skills involved in building a godly life. May you and I be among them!
—Warren W. Wiersbe
A Suggested Outline of the Book of Proverbs
Theme: The wise fear the Lord
Key verse: Proverbs 1:7
Introduction
I. Wisdom’s Calls (Proverbs 1:20—9:18)
1. Wisdom calls (Proverbs 1:20—4:27; 8—9)
First call: to salvation (Proverbs 1:20—4:27)
Second call: to wealth (Proverbs 8)
Third call: to life (Proverbs 9)
2. Folly calls (Proverbs 5—7)
First call: to condemnation (Proverbs 5)
Second call: to poverty (Proverbs 6)
Third call: to death (Proverbs 7)
II. Wisdom’s Contrasts (Proverbs 10—15)
III. Wisdom’s Counsels (Proverbs 16—31)
Chapter One
Don’t Just Make
a Living,
Make a Life!
(Introduction to the Book of Proverbs)
My wife, Betty, is the navigator in our household. For more than forty years, I’ve depended on her to plan our ministry trips and our occasional holidays and to direct me when I’m driving. She knows that I don’t have a good sense of direction and have even been known to get lost just a few miles from home. But the Lord gave her built-in radar, and I’ve learned to trust her, whether we’re in the big city, the African bush, or the English countryside.
I need a similar spiritual radar
to guide me when I’m embarking on a study journey
through a book of the Bible. That radar is provided by the Holy Spirit, who guides us into God’s truth (John 16:13) and, if we let Him, keeps us from going on unprofitable detours. But if I begin my journey by answering some basic questions about the book I’m studying, the Holy Spirit will find me better prepared for His teaching ministry. The questions I ask myself are …
(1) What is the major theme of the book?
(2) Who wrote the book and how is it written?
(3) What is the key verse that helps unlock
the message of the book?
(4) What does this book say about Jesus Christ?
(5) What must I do to get the most out of this book?
Let’s get prepared for our pilgrimage through Proverbs by answering these five questions.
1. What Is the Major Theme of the Book of Proverbs?
One word answers the question: wisdom. In Proverbs, the words wise and wisdom are used at least 125 times, because the aim of the book is to help us acquire and apply God’s wisdom to the decisions and activities of daily life.
The book of Proverbs belongs to what scholars call the wisdom literature
of the Old Testament, which also includes Job and Ecclesiastes. ¹ The writers of these books wrestled with some of the most difficult questions of life as they sought to understand life’s problems from God’s point of view. After all, just because you’re a believer and you walk by faith, it doesn’t mean you put your mind on the shelf and stop thinking. The Lord expects us to apply ourselves intellectually and do some serious thinking as we study His Word. We should love the Lord with our minds as well as with our hearts and souls (Matt. 22:37).
Wisdom was an important commodity in the ancient Near East; every ruler had his council of wise men
whom he consulted when making important decisions. Joseph was considered a wise man in Egypt, and Daniel and his friends were honored for their wisdom while serving in Babylon. God wants His children today to walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise
(Eph. 5:15 nkjv). Understanding the book of Proverbs can help us do that. It isn’t enough simply to be educated and have knowledge, as important as education is. We also need wisdom, which is the ability to use knowledge. Wise men and women have the competence to grasp the meaning of a situation and understand what to do and how to do it in the right way at the right time.
To the ancient Jew, wisdom was much more than simply good advice or successful planning. I like Dr. Roy Zuck’s definition: Wisdom means being skillful and successful in one’s relationships and responsibilities … observing and following the Creator’s principles of order in the moral universe.
² In that definition you find most of the important elements of biblical wisdom, the kind of wisdom we can learn from the book of Proverbs.
Biblical wisdom begins with a right relationship with the Lord. The wise person believes that there is a God, that He is the Creator and Ruler of all things, and that He has put within His creation a divine order that, if obeyed, leads ultimately to success. Wise people also assert that there is a moral law operating in this world, a principle of divine justice that makes sure that eventually the wicked are judged and the righteous are rewarded. Biblical wisdom has little if any relationship to a person’s IQ or education, because it is a matter of moral and spiritual understanding. It has to do with character and values; it means looking at the world through the grid of God’s truth.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for wise
(hakam) is used to describe people skillful in working with their hands, such as the artisans who helped build the tabernacle (Ex. 28:3; 35:30—36:2) and Solomon’s temple (1 Chron. 22:15). Wisdom isn’t something theoretical, it’s something very practical that affects every area of life.