Wisdom and Understanding

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge, the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. (Proverbs 3:19-20 ESV)  

Within these verses, we better understand how creation came into being.  

It would be easy to believe, when we read the creation account in Genesis, that the only thing God did was speak, and then everything came into existence. However, those verses help bring further understanding. 

The first half of Proverbs 3:19 reads: The Lord by wisdom founded the earth. This verse reminds us that the Lord Jehovah, the self-existing eternal One, used wisdom to establish and set the earth’s foundation in place. One of the original words used here for founded means “to sit down together.”  

Creation didn’t just happen. Genesis 1:2 says that the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

I believe the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—sat down together and discussed what creation would look like. They dreamed of the possibilities, devised a plan, and used wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to set the earth in place. God then spoke these things into being with His creative power. And He saw that everything He created was good, including you and me.  

Look at the second half of Proverbs 3:19: by understanding, he established the heavens.  

Understanding here is a great word that means “skillfulness, intelligence, and insight.” Much thought went into every detail to establish and fashion the heavens.  

No wonder the psalmist says in Psalm 19:1-4:  

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun.

In this poetic language, the psalmist reminds us of the splendor and majesty of God’s creation, carefully crafted by the skillfulness of His hands and the spoken word of His mouth. May we never cease to wonder at the masterpiece He paints. Daily, the beauty of the sunrise reminds us of His promises:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

For all God’s children, there is an abundant supply of godly wisdom, knowledge, and understanding stored and readily available through the Holy Spirit. When you feel a little deflated or deficient, take a moment and ask for more of His spiritual riches—because a generous supply is freely available! 

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity. (Proverbs 2:6-7)  

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Scripture is quoted from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.