This is the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi River. I've been to the top. The view is remarkable. From the observation deck, you can see for miles in every direction.
I thought of Mount Mitchell and those views recently when I did a word study on this verse from Proverbs:
"Wisdom is the principal thing;
therefore get wisdom"
Proverbs 4:7
What stood out to me is that the Hebrew word for "principal" is summit.
Wisdom is the summit.
It is the highest peak!
From it, there is a 360-degree panoramic view!
Wisdom will change your perspective. No wonder the scripture says "get wisdom". From this spiritual peak, you can see where you have come from, where you are going, how to navigate that journey, and where the enemy has laid snares for you along the way.
The Bible tells us that before Jesus choose His disciples, He went to the mountain to pray. He prayed on the mountain all night and in the morning He chose His disciples (Luke 6:12-13). Matthew 14:23 records that Jesus sent the people away before He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. He knew the advantage of praying from a place of great vision. On the mountain, He drew close to the Father and His perspective changed.
There are people in my area that climb the mountains. It's not easy to climb to the summit of a mountain. I have a good friend that rides a mountain bike up to the peak of several mountains. She is known as Queen of the Mountain in this area. It takes a lot of skill, preparation, strength, and determination. I would never try it (climbing or riding).
However, I have committed myself to climb to the summit of wisdom. Currently, I'm just barely above sea level but I commit to focusing on the summit and reaching it. I'm convinced the advantages of attaining wisdom far outweigh the effort.
Proverbs 3:13-18:
"Happy is the man that finds wisdom and the man that gets knowledge. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things one can desire are not to be compared to her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand: riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold of her, and happy is every one that retains her."
Effort:
"finds" - diligently search for
"gets" - strives to obtain
"desire" - stir up a desire for wisdom
"lay hold" - get it; obtain it.
"retain" - hold on to it tightly
Advantages:
Wisdom will bring happiness;
Wisdom is a valuable and precious possession.
"Merchandise" - means that once I obtain wisdom, I can sell it.
Wisdom will extend my life.
Wisdom will bring me riches and honor.
Wisdom will make my life more pleasant.
Wisdom will fill my journey with peace.
Wisdom will instruct me.
Wisdom is the "Tree of Life" - contrast that to the "tree of knowledge of good & evil" in Genesis 2&3. Partaking of that tree brought death. Partaking of wisdom will bring life as in life abundant.
The big questions are how do we get wisdom and where can we find it? James tells us to ask for it (James 1:5&6). That's how King Solomon got it. He asked God for it in a dream and God granted it. Praying for it is certainly the place to start. However, I think that perhaps a little more effort will have to made on our part. "Find" and "get" are action words. We need to actively look for it and pursue it.
Proverbs 4 has much to say about wisdom and is a good place to start pursuing it. Use this link: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+4&version=KJV
We pursue it by being in His word, by being in His presence and listening to His voice.
Ephesians 3:8-12, tells us that Jesus is the unsearchable riches, the ultimate hidden mystery, and the manifest wisdom of God. To pursue a relationship with Jesus is to climb the mountain of wisdom. I'm not sure what it will take to reach the summit but I know it will be well worth the effort.
I think about Moses who climbed to the summit of Mount Sinai, sat in God's presence for 40 days, and then received the Ten Commandments from God's own hand. Talk about a download of wisdom.
I also thought about the transfiguration of Jesus, which occurred when He climbed a high mountain with 3 of His disciples. Transfiguration means a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state. That's what finding Lord's wisdom will do for us. It will change us. You can read about the Transfiguration of Jesus here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17%3A1-6&version=NIV
I hope you will stir up the desire for wisdom and commit to climbing all the way to the summit. Start the climb with prayer:
Father, please give me wisdom.
Holy Spirit, teach me.
Jesus, lead me to the summit.
I delight in You!
**********************************
To visit Debbie's website, go to https://www.debbiewelty-blog.com
To read more of Debbie's blogs, go to https://www.debbiewelty-blog.com/blog
Instagram: mountaintop-manna
Facebook: Mountaintop Manna with Debbie Welty
Comments