WISDOM AND FEAR OF THE LORD - A: 6th Sun in OrdTime

Sir 15:15-20 (12 Feb 2023)

“Immense is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power, and all-seeing. The eyes of God are on those who fear him; he understands man’s every deed” (Sir 15:18-19).

What is expressed here is the direct correlation between wisdom and fear of the Lord. Wisdom is ordinarily defined as applied knowledge, whereby, knowledge is acquired through a comprehensive study of realities, events, and human dynamics in history. In a sense, it can be assumed that wisdom is gained by an objective accumulation and evaluation of data. It may be subjective in nature when applied, yet, its bases remain to be objective information that is gathered over time. They are enhanced further by scientific findings, logical analyses, and socio-cultural comparisons, especially in relation to some established facts about life on earth.

In contrast, the Scriptures present wisdom as attained not primarily by the mere acquisition of objective knowledge. Rather, it is a result of an integrative reflection of all human experiences coupled with an openness to the inspiration drawn from faith in the Lord. The correlation between fear of the Lord and wisdom has long been established by the book of Proverbs, namely, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov 1:7); “Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil” (3:7); “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (9:10); “The fear of the Lord prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened” (10:27), and “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge” (14:27).

Ben Sirach thought along the same lines as well, stating in chapter 15 of his book, “Whoever fears the Lord will do this; whoever fears the Lord will do this” (v. 1). We are ordinarily led to believe, based on our personal experiences, that fear is always a subjective feeling since a concrete fearsome stimulus may be an opportunity instead for others to demonstrate bravery. However, Sirach underscores that there is objectivity in fear since God enters into our decision-making and guides us to the truth as Sirach explained,

“The eyes of God are on those who fear him” (v. 19).

For the Jews, wisdom is more than an amassing of knowledge. The Hebrew word chokmah (occurring 149 times in the Hebrew Bible) is referential to the faithful day-to-day living of God’s commands. Such is so because it is considered by the Jews as God’s very gift to them as Baruch emphasized, “He has found out all the way of knowledge and has given it unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved” (3:36-37). Thus, wisdom is God’s daily gift that guides mankind in every decision and undertaking. One cannot attain it at all without God since he is the one who infuses it into the heart of anyone. In so doing, wisdom becomes a source of satisfaction for anyone, knowing that he/she is in a correct understanding and in the right path to righteousness. This joy of attaining wisdom is echoed by Solomon with the enamoring words:

“Wisdom reaches from one end to another mightily: and sweetly does she order all things. I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty (Wis 8:1-2).

Wisdom, in short, is God’s presence in each of us, and this can only be ensured when one humbles himself/herself before him, kneeling down in prayer and in complete submission to his will.

- Rex Fortes, CM