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Okay, so now we know what the gift Word of Wisdom is not. It is not wisdom that can be attained on our own through study or experience. So now let’s try and discern what it is. Spiritual gifts are given by God to allow us to do or say something in the power of the Holy Spirit that is beyond our natural ability so that we may fulfill the purpose and will of God. In regards to wisdom we can find several examples in scripture relating to this.
You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. You shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me. Ex 28:2-3
See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you: Ex 31:2-6
This was especially true with Solomon. He was made king but didn’t know a thing about how to rule a nation, especially a nation as large as Israel had become. But rather than try and learn, or try and do it all on his own, he was at least wise enough to know where to go for help.
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish me to give you.” Then Solomon said, “You have shown great loving kindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great loving kindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold, I have done according to your words Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 1 Kings 3:5-12
Another thing to notice is that the gift is not wisdom, but rather word of wisdom. Why is word added to wisdom here? God doesn’t waste words; he puts them there for very specific reasons. So we must determine what is meant by adding the word ‘word’ in front of wisdom. The Greek word used here is logos, and generally refers to the spoken word but can also mean reasoning.
logos
log’-os
From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): - account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work. – Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary.
So I believe we can ascertain that the gift Word of Wisdom is the supernatural ability to rightly apply knowledge given by God for a specific situation, to be able to view that situation from God’s perspective, and to be able to express that knowledge in a way that will benefit the church and/or bring glory to God. This knowledge can be obtained through reading scripture or may be a direct revelation from God.
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written,”THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 1 Cor 2:6-10
