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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Psalm 111:10.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”Proverbs 1:7.

The following verse instructs the hearer to pay attention to the counsel of their father and mother.

Scripture speaks to us both of a gift of wisdom, associated especially with the Holy Spirit, but also a path of wisdom that is associated with experience and especially a certain humility in relating to God and to others.

The book of Exodus (beginning in chapter 28) describes the way God instructed Moses regarding the arrangements for the tabernacle (and later the temple) and that he had given wisdom to those who would undertake the work.

Shortly before going into the promised land, we learn about the wisdom given to Moses’ assistant and later successor Joshua, “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.” Deuteronomy 34:9.

In the books of Kings and Chronicles, we learn that the wisdom of Solomon was beyond that of others, and we understand the gift was given him because of the prayer to God, preferring wisdom over all other gifts that he might rightly serve as king.

A great plentitude of references to wisdom comes in the book of Proverbs, with short sayings that exemplify living in wisdom.

Pastor Fr. William Hodgson is the priest at St. Edward Catholic Church in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-4948 or stedwardcassville@ gmail.com.