“Let whoever is wise understand these things,and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9 HCSB.
Many years ago there was a television show entitled, “Father Knows Best.” This was one of the most popular shows of all time, I suppose because it was simple and demonstrated what American culture was about, at least, in the most predominant side of our culture. Of course, time changes things dramatically. That America is no more, for what it is worth.
Unfortunately, just as few paid much attention to “Father Knows Best,” I will suggest fewer give much thought to what the prophetic statement of Joel tells us, yet today. However, I want to examine his words.
God’s Word points us to a very, very poignant statement, “whoever is wise…and whoever is insightful.” These may have been rare people ‘back in the day,’ and the very same most likely holds true in 2022. Listening to events on television newscasts really leaves little doubt. Wisdom and insightful people are far and few between.
As defined by the 1828 edition of Webster’s Dictionary we find:
- Wisdom: “The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom is nearly synonymous with discretion. It differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species, of which wisdom is the genus.”
- Insight: “Sight or view of the interior of any thing; deep inspection or view; introspection; thorough knowledge or skill. A garden gives us a great insight into the contrivance and wisdom of Providence.”
These two words are absolutely overflowing with the meaning of what God is attempting to tell us in His Word. Mr. Webster gives evidence of avoiding evil that is the result of the exercise of sound judgment and a complete knowledge of skill sets from God. Godly people will absolutely walk in the teaching of God, but the ungodly will avoid the teachings of God. Everyone I know is personally aware of these things. Some of these people will acknowledge these things of God because He is professed by them, and the others will absolutely deny the existence of the things of God because they deny Him. For just as John writes, “Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.” John 3:18-21.
Really, there is no need to expound upon what Jesus has said because He has made His truth clear. We are indeed instructed to follow the things of our Lord, and by doing so His truth will make us free and His truth also condemns.
Jesus is Lord.
fencepostdigest 