Bible Reading: Exodus 14; Job 32; Luke 17; 2 Corinthians 2
Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
It is right to respect our elders and to give honor to whom honor is due.
Leviticus 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.
Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
However, wisdom is something that comes from God. Not all men have wisdom. Not all great men (in this world's eyes) have wisdom. As a young man this is disheartening at times because we are looking for older men with wisdom that we can learn from. Elihu recognized this as he sat quietly and listened to Job's three friends talk with Job. He did not like what they had to say, but because of his age, he did not speak. Finally he could stand it no more and he had to say what he was thinking. He did not know what he was talking about either – this we learn later on as we continue to read! However, he is right about the fact that age and station do not always denote Godly wisdom.
Wisdom is a gift from God given in answer to believing prayer:
James 1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
A young man may be wiser than older men if he will prayerfully study the Bible and apply God's word to his life.
Psalms 119:98-100 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
Knowledge without application is a recipe to become an old fool. But when you hear God's word and do it, you will grow in wisdom. Jesus told a story about two men who built houses that had to weather storms. The wise man built his on the rock. The fool built his on the sand. The wise man's house stood and the fool's fell. Jesus said the wise man was the man who heard the word of Jesus and did it. The fool heard the word but did not do it.
Would you be wise? Would you have wisdom beyond your years? Then pray for wisdom and believe God's word. Put it into practice in your life and do what God says. You will be wise!
In Christ,
Rody
