Who Are Wise People in the Bible?
Picking out wise people in the Bible isn’t hard to do. Majestic male lions remind me of Jesus my Lord and Savior. That’s because Revelation 5 refers to Jesus as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the root of David. Scripture declares that He is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise.
The reason? Jesus won the battle. When reading about His ministry in the New Testament, it’s clear that wisdom guided Jesus’ steps as He depended on the Holy Spirit. Jesus is at the top of my wise people in the Bible list but many Biblical characters displayed wisdom under pressure.
What Is Wisdom?
After thinking about wise Christian people I know, one thing sets them apart. In adversity, they remain steady and resolute. They don’t drift in the sea like deadwood floating about aimlessly.
Which begs the question, why do you think people choose wisdom and why should you?
King Solomon wrote Proverbs and said wise men hear and increase learning, attain wise counsel, and seek wisdom as though it’s silver. It’s a hidden treasure of the heart that begins with fearing the Lord. A wise person gains knowledge through God’s Word and applies its truth through His perspective. Any time a person honors God and His wisdom, He notices and grants them favor.
Wise People in the Bible
Mary: Before Mary became the Mother of Jesus, she exhibited unusual wisdom for such a young person. Engaged to Joseph, Gabriel visited Mary and told her she would have a baby (God’s Son). After asking a few logical questions, she responded, “May it happen to me just as you said it would.” Mary’s faith impresses me but she was also wise to quickly accept God’s will for her.
Abigail: Nabal, Abigail’s husband, treated others poorly. On one occasion, David and his men spent time near Nabal’s men while they clipped their sheep’s wool. David treated them fairly and protected the sheep (see my book, 12 Life Principles From Psalm 23). He sends a messenger to Nabal to ask for food and water for him and his men.
Nabal declined the request. When David heard what Nabal said, he instructed 400 of his men to put on their swords. In the meantime, one of Nabal’s servants told Abigail what happened. Immediately without Nabal’s knowledge, she gathered 200 loaves of bread, wine, sheep, grain, raisin cakes, and figs.
After loading everything on donkeys, she headed toward David. Upon meeting him, she bowed and fell at David’s feet and asked him to overlook Nabal’s indiscretion. He does and accepts her gifts of provision. In 10 days, Nabal dies and David sends for Abigail to become his wife. Wisdom paid off handsomely for her!
Other Wise People
Joseph: Betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph was in charge of a man’s house and then a prison. After 13 years, Joseph becomes second in command under the Pharaoh of Egypt. Joseph wasn’t bitter with all that happened to him. This story about Joseph in Genesis, Chapters 37 – 50 shows his excellent character because wisdom guided his decision giving him favor with man and God.
Esther: A young Jewish woman married to King Xerxes finds out that Haman is planning to kill all the Jews. He is second in command to the king and chooses the Feast of Purim to exterminate the Jewish people. Esther does a very wise thing. She and her maids fast along with the Jews for three days. Through a series of events, Haman’s evil plan is exposed and the Jews are saved from death. Esther took slow, thoughtful steps and risked her own life to save her people.
Paul: After Saul of Tarsus (who was later named Paul) met Jesus on the Damascus Road, he wisely chose God’s plan for him to reach the gentiles for Christ. Acts 9:15 – But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen this man (Paul) to work for me. He will announce my name to the Gentiles and to their kings. Additionally, Paul wrote letters (especially I and II Corinthians) to encourage believers to use wisdom in all their decisions.
Benefits of Wisdom
When wise people in the Bible sought spiritual principles, wisdom guided them. They wisely avoided making mistakes and sidestepped evil traps. Like them, you can let wisdom rule in your spirit, to discern evil and run from it.
A person exhibiting God’s wisdom (not worldly wisdom) speaks from a heart full of God’s Word. They know what sin looks like when it appears subtly. They understand what’s important to God and identify with His holiness, grace, and mercy. To walk wisely means you grasp the inner workings of the human heart and know it’s deceitful. You’re able to penetrate your own heart and allow God to sort out deception.
Proverbs 2 highlights the importance of wisdom.
Here are a few pointers from that scripture.
- Receive God’s words
- Hide His commandments inside you
- Decide that you will listen to wisdom
- Seek God’s knowledge
- Ask for understanding
- See wisdom as a hidden treasure
- Take God’s sound wisdom He gives to the righteous
- Then, you will understand righteousness and judgment, equity, and every good path. Discretion preserves you, and understanding keeps and delivers you from the ways of evil men that walk in darkness and stay on crooked and devious pathways.
- Read Proverbs 3 about other rewards of wisdom
In these evil last days, believers need all the protection they can get. What feels good is not the same thing as following the voice of God. Wisdom lets us know where to go, which people to associate it, and how to be whole in body, mind, and spirit.
No one loves us like God. He wants the best for His children in all areas of life. Proverbs 3 indicates that acquiring divine wisdom can lengthen your years on earth. Becoming wise could mean you see your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren prosper and living for God. And you may be the very one who leads them to Jesus.
When Christians agree with God’s Word (I’d call that wisdom), they know how to act in every circumstance and enjoy the benefits of success, God’s way.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.