“The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens.”
(Proverbs 3:19)
God merely spoke… and everything that exists was created and set in motion (Gen. 1). Obviously, such work can only be accomplished by an infinitely powerful God. But another attribute of God was just as active in the wonders of creation – that of God’s infinite wisdom. Proverbs 3:19 notes that by wisdom God “founded the earth, and by understanding He established the heavens.” Divine wisdom, as seen in creation and otherwise, is twofold:
- God’s knowledge is perfect. With one immutable, eternal act of understanding He perfectly sees and perceives, observes, and knows all things. This applied knowledge embodies the eternal wisdom of God. He is a “God of knowledge,” (1 Sam. 2:3), for all things are naked and opened to His eyes (Heb. 4:13). “Known to God are all His works,” (Acts 15:18).
- God’s deeds are perfect. With infinite wisdom He accomplishes His will in both creation and providence (Job 12:13). “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all,” (Ps. 104:24). By wisdom He “made the heavens” and “founded the earth,” (Ps. 136:5; Prov. 3:19, cf. Jer. 10:12; Isa. 40:28; Ps. 92:6). God in His wisdom “calls into being that which does not exist,” (Rom. 4:17).
God is also said to be “only wise,” meaning the collective wisdom of all creatures amounts to nothing when compared to the universal, perfect, and complete wisdom of God. He knows Himself and all things perfectly (John 21:17; 1 John 3:20). His “understanding is infinite,” (Ps. 147:5). The wisest man who ever lived knows nothing by comparison to the infinite knowledge and wisdom of God.
Further, God knows all things that are possible even though they may never occur. His knowledge and wisdom are as infinite as His power, and His power is such that He can do more than He ever will actually do.
William Jenkyn notes, “God knows and applies all things clearly, particularly, and distinctly. All things are anatomized, ripped up before Him (Heb. 4:13). His knowledge is not, as ours, general or confused. We are said to know a man, though we do not know even a hundred things in a man. For God knows the least things, every circumstance of every action of every man. His knowledge extends itself to every hair of man’s head (Matt. 10:30) and to every sparrow that falls to the ground.”
God knows you, inside and out. He knows all your coming and goings. He knows what you will face tomorrow, next week, and ten years from now. He knows and applies the best course of action for you as a believer, and so orders all things in His wisdom for your good and spiritual profit in Jesus Christ.
What a blessed privilege we have as Christians to serve an all-wise God. As such, it is our duty to trust His wisdom, to know His mind as revealed in His Word, and to follow His lead and walk His path instead of our own.
- Lord, You know all things perfectly and simultaneously with one simple view, in one single thought. You are all wise in the way You plan and order all things. Help me trust Your wisdom in all things that You order for my life.
- Lord, You know the most secret things, even the very thoughts of my heart. You know them before they are, when they are, and all the consequences afterward. You know what I think and what I will think. You prompt Your Spirit in me to attest to Your truth in the Word that I might apply Your wisdom in life and for godliness.
- Lord, I wish my thoughts were as Yours, permanent. You know things permanently; nothing ever slips Your mind. You forfeit nothing, and Your knowledge cannot be diminished nor increased. You perfectly apply all Your knowledge in all wisdom and show forth Your glory in it.
Further References for Proverbs 3:19
Ps. 104:24, 136:5; Prov. 8:27; Jer. 10:12; Rom. 11:33
