Audio Download

“The Wisdom of God, and the Power of God” Part I (Pro 13:9-14)

(Aired on May 15, 2025)

Pro 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Pro 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Pro 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Pro 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Pro 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
Pro 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

The study with the remaining verses of chapter 13 will be broken into three parts, and tonight we will look at the first section only, titled “The Light of God’s Word”. Whether it’s “good understanding” we are seeking or how we can “leave an inheritance to our children’s children”, the way we are going to obtain those things will always be by “the wisdom of God, and the power of God”, which is “the light of God’s word” that is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path (Psa 119:104-106).

Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psa 119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

Part 1: The Light of God’s Word
Part 2: Good Understanding Gives Favour
Part 3: How Do We Leave an Inheritance to our Children’s Children

Our title, “The Wisdom of God, the Power of God”, is comprised of two phrases that are used very regularly in the bible, and it is by God’s word, the holy scriptures, that we will be able to be made wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, as we read here in these verses (2Ti 3:12-17):

2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (Joh 8:31-32, Mal 3:10, Psa 26:2)
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Gal 2:20, Psa 119:104-106)

Before we get into the specific verses we’re studying, here are some poignant verses regarding the words “power and wisdom” that will help set the stage for this study (1Co 1:24, 1Co 2:4-6, 2Co 4:7, 2Co 13:4, 1Pe 1:5, 2Ti 1:8):

1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. (1Jn 4:17, Gal 2:20)

1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

These verses regarding “wisdom and power” remind us of the importance of knowing what we have been freely given of God who gives us the power (Rev 11:3), so that after having done all, we can stand in this life as His witnesses of these things (Luk 24:48). Our life is profitable in Christ, and all glory and honour belongs to God for the wonderful works that are being accomplished in the body of Christ, so we can say assuredly that we are unprofitable servants who did that which was expected of us (Luk 17:10) seeing it is Christ who has done the works within us both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure which is to give us the kingdom of God (1Jn 5:4-5, Eph 6:13, Luk 12:32).

1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (Gal 2:20)
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (Col 1:27)

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Our inheritance is in the Lord, and that inheritance is sure and not fading like the wisdom of men, or the supposed power of man that, as Christ told Pilate, he had no hold over Him except that which our Father had ordained (Joh 19:11, Eph 1:11, Rom 8:28, Act 4:27-28).

Joh 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: (Eph 1:11) therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Act 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Act 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. (Eph 1:11, Rom 8:28)

Let’s consider now the power of God and the wisdom of God as we go through these proverbs and cast not away our confidence in that power, which God tells us that if we are blessed to be bound to the altar, it will lead to a great recompence of reward (Heb 10:35-36, Heb 10:30, Psa 118:27, Joh 2:15, Ecc 4:12). The altar is the cross and being bound to that altar is what is required of God’s children to live by the faith of Christ which will save us (Gal 2:20, 1Jn 5:4).

Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

Psa 118:27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Joh 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, [“Pontius Pilate, (Joh 19:11) with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together”] he drove them all out of the temple, (1Co 3:16) and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

Ecc 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Rom 5:10)

1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (Rom 8:31)

The Light of God’s Word

Pro 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

The light of Christ, our hope of glory within, causes us to rejoice as we go from glory to glory and become convinced through Him that we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:33-37). The lamp of the wicked within us must be put out and the positive lamp of God’s word is to be trimmed and kept burning brightly in this life, day by day as we die daily (Mat 25:3-10).

Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (Php 2:12-13, Rev 3:13)
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

The lamp shines forth in the lives of those who are being judged in this life (1Pe 4:17) as typified by the events of this battle of Gideon’s army (Jdg 7:19-21, 2Co 4:7). We go from glory to glory, or obedience to obedience through much tribulation in these earthen vessels (2Co 3:18, Act 14:22), but those who are not judged in this life will be judged in the great white throne judgement, which is where the light of Christ will break forth through the hearts and minds of all of humanity via the refining process of judgement in the lake of fire (Rev 20:5).

Jdg 7:19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.
Jdg 7:20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
Jdg 7:21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

Pro 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

We’re being told that Christ who is our wisdom (1Co 1:28-31) gives us victory over our pride-filled hearts that are naturally contentious. God made us that way, wretched miserable, poor and blind so that when the day of evil becomes evident in our lives (Pro 16:4) and we are convicted of our own pride, we will cry out to God and be delivered every time. Praise and thank God for that (Rom 7:24-25).

1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. [God gives us the power to go from glory to glory (2Co 3:18)]
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Pro 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

If we are God’s workmanship in this life (Eph 2:10), our labour will not be in vain as Christ works in us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure (Php 2:12-13). It is only those who are blessed to have the faith of Christ that causes us to labour in this life to the glory of God and who shall see increase that comes from our Father in heaven (1Co 3:6-8).

1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (Heb 6:3, Rom 11:20, 1Jn 5:4)
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

Pro 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

When our light is darkness, how great is that darkness (Mat 6:23). When the bridegroom is seemingly taken away from us in this life, how sick it makes our hearts feel, bringing us to our wits’ end and compelling us to fast and pray (Mat 9:15). God allows for those very trying, and depressing moments in our life of which Christ can identify having been sorrowful near unto death (Mat 26:38), His flesh forsaken of God while on the cross (Mat 27:46, Gal 2:20). That is how all of God’s children are going to be received of God (Heb 12:6-7), and once we are brought to our safe haven in Christ, after the storm, it is “a tree of life”, a desired haven, He brings us to (Psa 107:30, Joh 6:44)

Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Mat 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Psa 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them (Joh 6:44) unto their desired haven.

Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Pro 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

If we turn from what we have been given and despise the truths that God has shown us that will lead to our salvation, that will be a work of God (Heb 10:29) as much as it will be to keep us bound to the altar. Our prayer for one another is ‘Lord take not away your spirit from us, and let no man take our crown (Rev 3:11). Cause us to fear you so that we move together with fear unto the saving of our souls (Heb 11:7)’.

Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Pro 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

The “law of the wise” is the “law of Christ” (Gal 6:2-3) that tells us to lay down our lives for each other, and when we are granted to do that, then rivers of living waters will flow from within us as a fountain of life (Joh 7:37-39, 2Co 1:2-4), which represents the life of Christ within us who gives us the power to “depart from the snares of death”, by losing our lives for one another.

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

2Co 1:2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

These last verses demonstrate that it is in our suffering that God will be glorified through us as He makes a way for us to be comforted through the holy spirit (1Co 10:13) so that in turn we can be a comfort, or a joint that supplies in love toward each other what the body needs. God’s plan of salvation is being manifest in the lives of His people by means that is hidden from the world, and that will one day be revealed to the world as the wisdom and power of God.

In our next couple of studies, we will focus on the other two parts of our reflection with these verses in chapter 13 of Proverbs:

Good Understanding Gives Favour:

Pro 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Pro 13:16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
Pro 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
Pro 13:18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Pro 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
Pro 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Pro 13:21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

How Do We Leave an Inheritance to our Children’s Children:

Pro 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Pro 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Pro 13:25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.