The Old Testament takes time to reflect in the wisdom literature, five books in the very center of the Bible. Instead of telling more history, these wisdom books examine how to live life well in light of what God has done in history. As we look through three of the wisdom books, we find the importance of wisdom to give our lives meaning, the center of wisdom in the fear of the Lord, and how to cultivate wisdom in the psalms that teach us how to encounter God. In the New Testament, we see Jesus becomes our wisdom and opens the door to a life of fearing the Lord.
Application Questions:
1. Where in your life do you forget the reality of God? How does that affect your attitude, decisions, and relationships?
2. Think of some ways you have looked for meaning from things on earth that can't provide it. How would wisdom help you treat those things differently?
3. Do you fear God? Why or why not? How would fearing God change your life for the better? How would fearing God make you more of a blessing to others?
4. Why do you need to encounter God through his word to be wise? Are you regularly engaging with God in scripture?
