Who is Wise?

Our series in Proverbs continues with chapter 3. You can read this on your own, but our focus will be on Proverbs 3:19-22

The Lord founded the earth by wisdom
and established the heavens by understanding.
By his knowledge the watery depths broke open,
and the clouds dripped with dew.

Proverbs 3:19 & 20

I had an American History teacher who taught history as if he were reading a thrilling action-adventure story to the class. He really didn’t have to read from a book; he knew it by heart. Even students who disliked studying American History loved his class.

One character that I loved knowing more about was Thomas Jefferson. This man was uncommonly gifted in multiple fields.

I developed a keen interest in his life because his intellect did not diminish his concern for morality and patriotism. His life was so full of interesting events and encounters.

And then I felt sorrow for Thomas Jefferson. Keep reading. You will see where my pity comes from.

Imagine calling into question the wisdom of intellectuals, like Thomas Jefferson.

Of course, most people know that he was the third president of the United States. He was Secretary of State under George Washington and the vice-president under John Adams.

Think of all that Thomas Jefferson understood about diplomacy, history, botany and meteorology, military strategy and government.

He founded the University of Virginia and by his leadership in the U.S. Congress, established West Point.

He was a voracious reader, held interests in architecture even building his own mansion, Monticello. He had interests in gardening, music and philosophy.

He spoke several languages fluently and understood some American Indian dialects as well.

He was instrumental in securing the Louisiana Purchase from France, penned the Declaration of Independence, and some of his thoughts are part of our U.S. Constitution.

He was an inventor of things such as the swivel chair, an icehouse in his basement at Monticello that was retrofitted around the mansion, several farming implements and other innovative creations.

But don’t let your admiration of this great man influence your faith in God. With all of that intellect, Thomas Jefferson rejected Christ as His Redeemer.

He thought highly of Jesus as a good, moral man. But he refused belief of Jesus as the Son of God. This is why I feel sorrow for Thomas Jefferson.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (NLT)

That is arrogance and foolhardiness. Intellect does not equal wisdom, does it?

Intellect without God is not worth a plugged nickel.

For someone who loved creation, as he seemed to, and for his love for freedom and moral absolutes, he was just an unwise, lost human being. He refused to see the perfect wisdom of our God displayed in His glorious creation.

Here are the wise architects of creation:

God, the Father:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Jesus, the Son of God:

Jesus was the Co-Creator with the Father-He was there when it all began. Take a look at the passage below.

In the beginning the Word already existed.

The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5

The Holy Spirit:

…the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

Genesis 1:2

Teach your children about God and His wisdom by knowing God’s Word and having a close relationship with Him, our lives can be fulfilling and meaningful. Teach them to worship the Creator and to love His creation.

The Perfect Wisdom of God.

Maintain sound wisdom and discretion.
My son, don’t lose sight of them.
They will be life for you

Proverbs 3:21 & 22 (CSB)

And help them know that one proof of our salvation is being sorrowful over lost souls. God loved Thomas Jefferson and gave him his intellect. And God gave him a choice.

His legacy should be this end-of-life declaration: “I know that my Redeemer lives.” Job 19:25

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.