The Bible is careful not to describe wisdom as simple knowledge. Knowledge cannot be divorced from our relationship with God and our ethical actions. For example, we read in Isaiah 58 how the Israelites would perform the customs of the Law and seek to know more of God’s ways, but for no other reason than ritual and knowledge of how to manipulate the Law for their own benefit: “Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God.” Isaiah exposes the actions of the people of Israel and shows that their hearts are far from God, and have also turned away from their neighbors. According to the Old Testament, the wise person not only has knowledge of God and the Law but applies their knowledge in ways that glorify God and show care for their fellow humans.

My prayer is that as we enter the coming year it will be our goal to take our knowledge of God and apply it to the service and love to our fellow humans and to the glory of God.  How can you serve the people in your life and by doing so glorify God?