1. What is recommended as the
principal thing to gain?
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and
with all thy getting get understanding. Prov. 4:7 Wisdom--
The quality of being wise; knowledge, and the capacity to make
due use of it. --Webster. A person may have an abundance
of knowledge, and still show no wisdom.
2. What
will this acquisition bring to those who obtain it?
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee
to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine
head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver
to thee. Prov 4:8, 9
3. How are the
things of earth to be compared to it?
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou
canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Prov. 3:15
4. Whence comes this precious
acquirement?
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of
his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Prov. 2:6
5. How may one obtain wisdom?
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him. James 1:5
6. What does this asking involve?
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For
let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the
Lord. James 1:6, 7
7. What is the beginning of wisdom?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning
of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:
his praise endureth for ever. Psalm 111:10
8. What has the Saviour promised
to those who will keep his words?
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will
keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
9. When the Spirit of God is thus
received, what will it do for the individual?
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the
Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1
Cor. 2:10
10. What
is included in these "deep things"?
O LORD, how great are thy works! and
thy thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:5
11. How far may one hope to know
the mind of God regarding himself?
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
12. How will he appear who has
been thus honored of God?
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation
of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the
boldness of his face shall be changed. Eccl. 8:1
13. How many kinds of wisdom are
there?
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet
not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world,
that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world
unto our glory. 1 Cor. 2:6,7
14. How is worldly wisdom regarded
by God?
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For
it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1
Cor. 3:19
15. What is the character of that
wisdom which comes from God?
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17
Broad is the road
that leads to death,
And thousands walk together there,
But wisdom shows a narrow path,
With here and there a traveler.
Deny Thyself, and take thy cross,
Is thy Redeemer's great command;
Nature must count her gold but dross,
If she would gain that heavenly land.
The fearful soul that tires and faints,
And walks the ways of God no more,
Is but esteemed almost a saint,
And makes his own destruction sure.
Issac Watts