01 Mar Proverbs 1:3-6
“to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.”
— Proverbs 1:3-6 ESV
My working understanding of wisdom is, “the observation of circumstances and situations from a Divine perspective”. Foolishness therefore would be, “the observation of circumstances and situations from a short term, short sighted perspective”.
When the wise man is tempted, he considers the long term, even eternal ramifications of the decision. He sees it progressively more and more the way God sees it.
The fool sees only the immediate effect. If it seems to feel good he proceeds.
Wisdom can be received, not just discovered. We can learn wisdom by experience, but it takes a lifetime to gain perspective. It is more efficient to “hear and increase”.
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