#proverbs 4:7

by William Mason

Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom. - Proverbs 4:7

In Joseph’s visions, the sun, moon, and stars, made obeisance to him, and all the sheaves bowed to his sheaf. (Genesis 37:7.) So wisdom is honoured and exalted above and beyond every thing beside. This wisdom is the Son of God, “to whom every knee shall bow.” (Philippians 2:10.) Jesus under the character of wisdom, is said to cry-to utter his voice-behold I will pour out my Spirit into you-and wisdom is said to enter into the heart. (Proverbs 1:20-23; Proverbs 2:10.) All this can be applied to none other but Christ, who is of God “made unto us wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:30.) He cries after us miserable sinners- he utters his voice of love to us-he pours out his Spirit upon us-he enters into our hearts, and dwells there by faith. This truly is the principal thing. This, infinitely above all others, demands the whole of our attention, labour and diligence. Get what we may, yet without this, we are not wise. We cannot be happy. We shall be only foolish, deluded and miserable.

There will always be a vacuum in the heart, and a cry of what lack I yet? Get wisdom. What, get an interest in Christ? What can we poor, miserable sinners do to get that? It is a foolish phrase. It is unscriptural advice. Solomon reproves it when he asks, “Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?” (Proverbs 17:16.) As though he had said, none but a fool thinks his own works and doings the price of wisdom, and that by these he is to purchase an interest in Christ, and a title to his kingdom. Such have no understanding of the grace of Christ: no real love of heart to Christ. He invites, “Come without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1.) This is the way to buy and to get wisdom. Seek to enjoy the knowledge of wisdom in Christ-labour after more and more experience of his grace, and fellowship with him in your souls. Be not satisfied, not a day nor an hour without tasting his sweetness, and feeling his preciousness. O Jesus, I am foolish, be thou my wisdom. I am sin, be thou my righteousness. I am poor and miserable, be thou my riches and my consolation. I have many wants to be supplied-many miseries to be relieved-many corruptions to be subdued- many graces to be strengthened-many enemies to be conquered. O may I possess thee in all thy fulness to-night and for ever. This is the principal thing: the one thing needful. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom.” Colossians 3:16.

Jesus, thou my wisdom art, Make and keep me wise of heart; Thee to prize above all things, Who to me salvation brings.