Knowing GodKnowing God

Chapter 9Chapter 9

God Only WiseGod Only Wise

God Only WiseGod Only Wise

I.I. Wisdom definedWisdom defined

II.II. Wisdom frustrated Wisdom frustrated

III.III. God’s Purpose for ManGod’s Purpose for Man

IV.IV. Wisdom PortrayedWisdom Portrayed

V.V. Wisdom Past and PresentWisdom Past and Present

I.I. Wisdom Defined:Wisdom Defined:• Moral and intellectual qualityMoral and intellectual quality• Harnessing intelligence to the Harnessing intelligence to the

right endright end• Seeing the best and highest Seeing the best and highest

goal and choosing itgoal and choosing it• The practical side of moral The practical side of moral

goodnessgoodness• Wisdom is an integral element Wisdom is an integral element

of God’s characterof God’s character• Knowledge is learning, Knowledge is learning,

understanding is application, understanding is application, wisdom is perspectivewisdom is perspective

IV.IV. Wisdom FrustratedWisdom Frustrated• Outside factors can frustrate our Outside factors can frustrate our

acting wisely acting wisely • Ahitophel, Absalom and DavidAhitophel, Absalom and David• God’s omnipotence means His God’s omnipotence means His

wisdom can’t be frustratedwisdom can’t be frustrated• Wisdom without power would be Wisdom without power would be

patheticpathetic• Power without wisdom would be Power without wisdom would be

frighteningfrightening• God has never promised to keep a God has never promised to keep a

fallen world happyfallen world happy• Ungodliness is not comfortableUngodliness is not comfortable

IV.IV. God’s Purpose for ManGod’s Purpose for Man• God’s purpose: Man should love God’s purpose: Man should love

and honor Him and honor Him (Westminster (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q & A 1)Shorter Catechism Q & A 1)

• We will never be able to We will never be able to completely please God on earth completely please God on earth because of our sin naturebecause of our sin nature

• God is at work to draw us into a God is at work to draw us into a relationship of faith, hope & love relationship of faith, hope & love with Him through Jesuswith Him through Jesus

• Christ can be our Savior without Christ can be our Savior without being our Lordbeing our Lord

IV.IV. Wisdom PortrayedWisdom Portrayed • Abraham: Practicing the Presence Abraham: Practicing the Presence

of God of God (Dealings with Lot, (Dealings with Lot, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac) Sarah, Hagar, Isaac)

• Jacob: Depending on God Jacob: Depending on God (From mama’s boy to (From mama’s boy to

Patriarch)Patriarch)• Joseph: Trusting God Joseph: Trusting God

( From a pit to a palace) ( From a pit to a palace) • Paul: Rejoicing in God Paul: Rejoicing in God

(Blinded by the Light)(Blinded by the Light)

V.V. Wisdom Past and PresentWisdom Past and Present• Using the Bible as our guide to Using the Bible as our guide to

applying God’s wisdomapplying God’s wisdom• Grace given to face our trials – Grace given to face our trials –

and grow through themand grow through them