Creative Wisdom

Proverbs 3:19-20

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;

     by understanding he established the heavens;

By his knowledge the deeps broke open,

     and the clouds drop down the dew.

Consider this proverb from two perspectives. For one, we are to understand that creation is not a cosmic happen-chance. It is the work of God, the intentional work of God. He founded the earth; he established the heavens, and brought forth the seas, rivers, and lakes. We are not here by chance. The universe may be immense and the earth by comparison nothing but a speck; but it was created by the Lord of the universe for his good purposes.

Creation also gives us a perspective about God. Its beauty, complexity, even its terror reveals a God of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge that go far beyond man’s ability to attain. God’s act of creating and sustaining the earth (and the universe) should impress upon us not to question his deeds and purposes. “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighted the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” asks Isaiah (Isaiah 40:12). Who then proposes to counsel God? “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding,” God asks of Job (Job 38:4). We actually do know more than Job or Isaiah about the world. But the deeper we delve into knowledge, the deeper we find the sea of complexity to be and the more marvelous creation is.

It is interesting that the proverb says nothing about God’s power. Surely creation testifies to the power of God, but let us take away one more lesson. Without wisdom power is nothing more than brute force. Without knowledge the deeps break open and destroy. We so often strive for power to overcome our obstacles, when what we really need is the wisdom and knowledge to understand those obstacles. We want power to do good oftentimes before we understand what is good. Seek wisdom; seek knowledge. You will then learn how to use the power God gives.