Education and Wisdom: The Solomonic Connection

In the Bible, it says that knowledge comes easily to the discerning. And when the ax is sharpened, less strength is needed. This means that a mindset structured by the only final standard of Wisdom, the Word of God, enables one more quickly and easily to process or assimilate new information. This is because we reason from the more general, intellectual framework, to more particular priniciples or rules, and then on to even more particular details -- understanding the most specific data in light of larger categories or sets.

This means that learning consists a good deal in sorting through the kinds of things textbooks and lectures throw at us, and then by filing them in the right folder (analytical sorting). This happens when you learn a new factoid and it "reminds you" of one you already knew about. You do this "linking" unconsciously sometimes because it helps you find the right category (occasionally the wrong one - but the wrong one is always better than none at all).

The Bible provides a framework with a host of preset -- and only perfectly accurate - categories for you to begin filing at will and storing away for later retrieval when you need it. This offers then the opportunity to shape or frame your mind after that way in which - this is intimidating -- God Himself sees things. Now you think on that and tell me it is not awesome. Paul said of Scripture, "But we have the mind of Christ."

Now this ordering of your mind and heart according to the Word is the work of the Holy Spirit, and you won't get far doing it all by yourself. So you will need to pray, asking God to set your heart in order according to his Word. This is the Bible's own way of speaking about it. We need Him to write his law on the tablet of our hearts. To this end, I have put together a prayer from the Word of God to help people do as the Lord commands in seeking wisdom from God.

Wisdom IS the prinicipal thing; therefore, GET wisdom. In all your getting, get understanding. So please find below a carefully and scripturally constructed prayer for use in the most important matter of petitioning God for wisdom. Ask, and you will recieve, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. But you have to pray and not give up. Here is the best I can do to help in about a day. I will be -- God willing - praying it often too. It isn't like we have a surplus of wisdom down here. And the public school forecast is looking a little pekid. So pray without ceasing. It's not just a good idea. It's the law. Here is the prayer for you to use, or if you feel the need to edit your version, this isn't copyrighted. But it was put together by someone with a little knowledge of the wisdom literature; so edit with care.


O most Merciful and heavenly King, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, blessed are You for the exceeding greatness of the Wisdom, righteousness and mercy in all Your Holy Word, which You have given to your servants. Now You have given us commandment, saying, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom," and again,"Nothing you desire can compare with her."

Moreover, You have surely commanded us, saying, "Ask and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.""If any lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him."

Therefore, O Lord, by the testimony of many valid witnesses, from Your most Holy Word, have you firmly established the matter forever in heaven and on earth, that You stand ready to show mercy and grant wisdom to those who call upon You for it, as it was from the beginning. Your truth, O Lord, is forever settled in heaven. "My covenant I will not break," says the Lord, "nor alter the Word that has gone out of my lips." Therefore, the Scripture cannot be broken.

By Wisdom, O Lord Jesus, you have laid the foundation of the earth, and by understanding did You establish the heavens, excelling all Mastercraftsmen in all things, and in all manner of cunning work; so the heavens declare Your glory, and the skies proclaim the works of Your hands. And in times past have you graciously given your servants who sought counsel of You, knowledge, discretion, understanding, and largeness of heart.

So it was with Bezalel, son of Ahisamach, and Oholiab, your servant with him; moreover, you gave Solomon, the son of David, wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand on the seashore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled that of the sons of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt; for he was wiser than all men. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom; for the wisdom of God was in him to do justice and judgment. For you said to him, "Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee."

And yet is there One greater than Solomon. Or to which of the anointed Cherubim did You ever say, "Thou art my Son, this day I have begotten thee?" But You made Him a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, and crowned Him with glory and honor, having made Him High Priest and King of a better covenant, saying, "Once I have sworn by My Holiness, I will not lie to David. His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun, before me. It shall be forever established like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky." As He also says in another place, "Thou art priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek."And so You have commanded us, saying, "Behold, this is My Beloved Son. Hear ye Him."

And Now, O Lord, by your Spirit have we gone up from many nations to your Word to hear His Wisdom; and indeed, although we are slothful to believe it at the first (and need attend it daily), indeed, not the half of it was told us, of the glory and splendor of is great Wisdom. We stand amazed at His Word, and our spirits nearly fail us for its majesty, authority, power, its surpassing winsomeness, and clarity; and we confess with the whole heart all its many other excellencies. For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding; blessed is the man who hears Him, and those who stand before Him continually, watching daily at His gates. For the law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul. Righteous are You, O Lord, and upright are your judgments.

Therefore, Lord Jesus, we implore you to pity our weaknesses and folly. Forgive us, and have mercy on us, for we are sinners, remembering that we are but dust. Forgive us our debts, and enable us to forgive our debtors. Grant to us by Your great grace, to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive words of understanding, to receive the wisdom of justice, judgment, equity, mercy, and every good path.

Bestow upon us all subtility and skill, in knowing and doing all your Holy Word, by the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord; And make us of quick understanding in the fear of Christ, to judge not after the outward appearance alone, but according to righteousness and discernment.

Now therefore, Lord Jesus, write upon the tablet of our hearts all Your holy law, we beg you, that we might keep and do your commandments; for this is our wisdom and understanding in the sight of all nations, which shall hear all these statues, saying, "Surely this is a great nation, a wise and understanding people," and thus glorify our Father in heaven.

Enlighten our hearts to know every proverb, to understand the sayings of the wise, and its interpretation, even the dark sayings of the wise. For no man lights a lamp and puts it in the corner, or under a basket to conceal it; but he puts it at the highest place in the house, so that it gives light to the whole house. And a city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Therefore, O Lord, grant us all this great and Holy Word, our exceeding great treasure, to be inscribed upon our hearts indelibly, and so let Your House and light shine before men, that they may see Your good works, and glorify our Father in heaven. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You have foreordained that we should walk in them.

For blessed is the man that finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than that of silver, and greater than that of the finest gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all that we might desire cannot compare with her. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who find her, and those who lay hold upon her are forever blessed.

Now, O Lord, exalt your Word, according to your great and precious promises: let the poor in spirit lay hold of the kingdom of heaven. Comfort those who mourn. Let the meek inherit the earth, and satisfy those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; let the merciful obtain mercy; purify our hearts, and cause us to pursue peace with all men, that we may be sons of our Father in heaven; embolden us to do all things according to the Wisdom of your counsel, without fear of those who oppose it, nor for fear of tomorrow.

Endow us with the diligence of the ant, the heart of the lion, the great skill of the spider, and all the wisdom of every creature, made from the beginning – both great and small – you have given to men for teachers, that we should learn from them. Graciously grant us Your law, for the entrance of Your Word gives us light.

Teach us, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and we shall keep it to the end; give us understanding, and we shall keep your law; indeed will we observe it with our whole heart. Make us to walk in the path of your commandments, for we delight in them. Incline our heart to your testimonies, and not to coveting. Now establish your Word to your servants, who are devoted to fearing You.

Behold, we long for your precepts; establish us in righteousness. Now let Your Name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth just as it is in heaven. And let all your holy people praise you, saying, "Praise the Lord for he is good; his mercy endures forever." Amen.