The Fear Of The Most High Is The Beginning Of Wisdom!!!!

Proverbs chapter 9

We are walking in today:  The Fear Of The Most High Is The Beginning Of Wisdom!!!!  

Witness fear throughout the Bible:  H3372 yare'--to fear, reverence, honour, respect, to stand in awe of, be awed

Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared H3372 God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

The Torah..................…
 Deuteronomy 3:22 - Ye shall not fear H3372 them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.

The prophets.................
 1 Samuel 12:24 - Only fear H3372 the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

The writings.............
 Joshua 24:14 - Now therefore fear H3372 the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

Psalms 33:8 - Let all the earth fear H3372 the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

We are beginning the very important Part 4 in this series, focusing on those characteristics of wisdom that set the Wise Virgins apart from the Foolish Virgins. Let’s briefly recap what we have seen in the previous parts.

When Yahushua Messiah  taught the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, He spoke the following words:

“They that were ready went in with Him [the Bridegroom] to the marriage” (Matthew 25:10)

In this passage from Matthew 25, Yahushua was teaching His disciples the importance of being ready for a marriage. From Revelation 19:7-9, we learn that the marriage Yahushua is referring to is His own marriage — “the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

In the parable of the ten Virgins, we are given this vital key for being ready for the marriage to the Bridegroom: the Wise Virgins had wisdom, but the Foolish Virgins lacked wisdom!

It was the Wise Virgins in the parable who were ready to go in with the Bridegroom. And so it is the same with us today. If we desire to be ready, we too must have the same wisdom!

Walking in Wisdom

Here in brief is what we have seen in previous parts of this series.

We have seen that the one who is wise, learns to hear and obey the counsel and instruction of Scripture; that seeking wisdom is much like digging for treasure, and requires much effort of digging into the Scriptures.

We have seen that the one who is wise, learns to choose humility as a way of life. We saw that those who walk in the way of wisdom, are those who choose to follow the example of Messiah — who humbled Himself by becoming obedient.

We have seen furthermore, that the Wise Virgins have a willingness to change their lifestyle, to live their lives according to the Scriptures. This willingness to ‘live our lives according to the Scriptures’ is the first and foremost prerequisite, or necessary requirement for gaining wisdom.

It is this changed lifestyle alone — from living according to man-made traditions that contradict the Scriptures, to a lifestyle of obedience to the Scriptures — that sets the Wise Virgins apart from the Foolish Virgins!

Finally, we have seen that our goal in learning about the Biblical characteristics of wisdom is that we may become wise unto obedience. In this way, we become ready — so that we might be found among the company of the Wise Virgins, who go in to the marriage with the Bridegroom!

And now, the next wisdom characteristic we will look at in this series is: the one who is wise walks in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH [the Fear of the LORD].

The Fear of THE MOST HIGH

This characteristic of the Wise Virgins is found in Proverbs 9:

“The fear of THE MOST HIGH [the LORD] is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10a)

According to the above passage, if we want wisdom, we must begin with the Fear of THE MOST HIGH.

But what is the Fear of THE MOST HIGH?

The English word ‘fear’ in this verse, is the Hebrew word yir’ah, Strong’s Number <03374>, which stems from the root word yar’ey Strong’s Number <03372>. Yar’ey means “fearing, fearful, to be afraid exceedingly, honourable reverence, and to be had in reverence.”

When we truly reverence someone, we are on the edge of fearing that person. When we are seriously afraid of something, “it is said that we can feel our insides flowing.”

This verse in Proverbs reveals to us what the very beginning of wisdom is: the Fear of THE MOST HIGH.

No one really comes close to having true wisdom unless they have a measure of the Fear of THE MOST HIGH. So the Fear of THE MOST HIGH is the first step toward wisdom.

However, there is something mysterious about this characteristic of wisdom. We know we are to love THE MOST HIGH with all our heart. This is the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:37,38). And yet, many times, the Bible urges us to ‘Fear God!’ So how can we ‘Love God’ and also ‘Fear God’?

The answer is in finding out what the Fear of THE MOST HIGH is, as well as remembering the Hebrew definition for the word ‘fear’ — honourable reverence.

Let us therefore look at only a few of the many Scripture passages that define the Fear of THE MOST HIGH.

Blessed are They that Fear THE MOST HIGH

The following verses show us, from a practical standpoint, exactly what the Fear of THE MOST HIGH is — and how it can be seen in our lives:

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! (Deuteronomy 5:29)

And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear THE MOST HIGH his God, to keep all the words of this law [Torah] and these statutes, to do them: (Deuteronomy 17:19)

Praise ye THE MOST HIGH. Blessed is the man that feareth THE MOST HIGH, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. (Psalms 112:1)

Blessed is every one that feareth THE MOST HIGH; that walketh in His ways. (Psalms 128:1)

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of THE MOST HIGH thy God, to walk in His ways, and to fear Him. (Deuteronomy 8:6)

Now let’s list the practical steps that the above passages reveal about what it means to fear THE MOST HIGH:

• To fear THE MOST HIGH, is to keep all His commandments, always;
• To fear THE MOST HIGH, is to study, and to keep all the words of this law [Torah] and these statutes, to do them;
• To fear THE MOST HIGH, is to delight greatly in His commandments;
• To fear THE MOST HIGH, is to walk in [THE MOST HIGH’s] ways;
• To walk in THE MOST HIGH’s ways, and to fear Him, is to keep the commandments of THE MOST HIGH!

These are clear and do-able steps for us to take in order to walk in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH. With one-step-at-a-time, not all at once, and with Abba’s essential merciful grace, only then will the Fear of THE MOST HIGH is achievable. With His help, we can do the simple steps of walking in His ways, and keeping His Word!

All who genuinely desire to know THE MOST HIGH Elohim [the LORD God], to love Him and understand Him, then they will choose these practical steps: to hearken to [hear and obey] His ways, His statutes, and His commandments (John 14:15,21; 15:10; 1John 5:3). This is the evidence that we have [and are walking in], the Fear of THE MOST HIGH.

Let’s see next what the Bible says about learning the Fear of THE MOST HIGH.

Learning the Fear of THE MOST HIGH

From the Scriptures we find that THE MOST HIGH wants us to learn the Fear of THE MOST HIGH:

1.) That their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear THE MOST HIGH your God … (Deuteronomy 31:13a).

2.) Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of THE MOST HIGH (Psalms 34:11).

Both of the above verses reveal the need for us to be teachable, and to learn the Fear of THE MOST HIGH.

The first verse above, in Deuteronomy, is one of at least fourteen verses in Deuteronomy alone, where THE MOST HIGH’s people are exhorted to learn the “Fear THE MOST HIGH of your Elohim [your Mighty One, your God]” (Deuteronomy 4:10; 5:29; 6:2,13,24; 8:6; 10:12,20; 13:4; 14:23; 17:19; 28:58; 31:12,13).

Rather than list all these Scriptures here, we will point out one verse that clearly sums up the rest:

Ye shall walk after THE MOST HIGH your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him. (Deuteronomy 13:4)

This verse, along with the others in Deuteronomy, reveal the following practical steps we need to take, in order to learn the Fear of THE MOST HIGH:

• Hearken to [hear and obey] THE MOST HIGH’s Words;
• Carefully obey the instructions of THE MOST HIGH;
• Have a copy of THE MOST HIGH’s Law [His Torah — His instructions and teachings for His children] and read it all the days of our life;
• Hear, and observe to do, all the Words of this Law [this Torah].

Again we can see that Abba is showing us the practical steps for learning the Fear of THE MOST HIGH. Learning the Fear of THE MOST HIGH begins when we start to cultivate a great reverence for, and obedience to, THE MOST HIGH’s written WORD, the holy Scriptures. Over and over throughout the Bible, we find that learning the Fear of THE MOST HIGH is revealed in passages that urge obedience to Abba’s commandments, instructions, and teachings!

Now let’s look at the second verse, Psalms 34:11.

This passage reveals in context (Psalms 34:12-14) a few more ‘homework assignments’ that are given to those students who wish to learn the Fear of THE MOST HIGH:

• Guard our tongue from speaking evil, and our lips from speaking deceit;
• Depart from evil, and do good;
• Seek peace, and pursue it.

Learning the Fear of THE MOST HIGH begins the moment we take steps toward departing from all evil actions and words. This is confirmed in Proverbs 8:13: “The fear of THE MOST HIGH [the LORD] is to hate evil!”  When we have the Fear of THE MOST HIGH, we will hate and avoid the evil-ness of pride, arrogance, selfishness, covetousness, falseness, and perversion.

When we hate evil, we actively guard our mouth, choosing to speak words that bring forth life and edification. As we saw in Out of the Abundance of the Heart, we can choose to use our tongue to speak words that build up others, bringing life. Or, we can choose to speak words that tear down others, bringing death.

We can now see how Abba has made a way for us to learn the Fear of THE MOST HIGH. We must become teachable and tender-hearted toward learning the Scriptures. This tender-hearted-ness is necessary for us to be as a little child, humble in our attitude, and obedient to the Scriptures, so that we can learn to Fear THE MOST HIGH. Oh let us be praying for our hearts to be tender and teachable!

Walking in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH

We have now seen that the Scriptures describe in great detail, what it means to walk in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH. When we are truly walking in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH, then we will behave and speak with great reverence and loyalty about THE MOST HIGH’s Truth, His Character, and His Word! Our heart’s desire will be seen in our practice of studying God’s Word daily, and in learning to obey Abba’s Torah [His instructions and guidelines found in the first five books of the Bible] (Proverbs 29:18b), and also, in bringing glory to God in everything we do (1Corinthians 10:31)!

When we have a Biblical Fear of THE MOST HIGH, then we will earnestly seek to avoid any sort of evil-doing. We will begin to learn to avoid the things that THE MOST HIGH hates, and we will seek to love the things that delight our Abba Father. We will delight in keeping all of Messiah’s commandments, including those He gave to Moses (John 14:15,21; 15:10; 1John 5:3)!

When we have a Biblical Fear of THE MOST HIGH, then we will know how exceptional and immense the love of THE MOST HIGH for His children is! And we will find it much easier to trust in Him with all our heart!

Why is this true?

Because we will be regularly studying His Word, continually being reminded of His loving and intimate care for His children! (Psalms 91:14; Proverbs 8:17; Song of Songs 1:2b; Isaiah 38:17; Jeremiah 31:3; John 14:21). We will also be experiencing very personal events that confirm Abba’s love and direction for us.

When we have a Biblical Fear of THE MOST HIGH, we will begin to understand the importance of speaking respectfully to, and about, our heavenly Father. And, because we are hiding God’s Word in our heart, and spending time with Him in our prayer closet, seeking His help in all that we do, then we will be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and will be careful not to offend Father, or sin against Him. And, the genuine Fear of THE MOST HIGH will deliver us from the dangerous trap of the fear of man! (Psalms 119:11; Psalms 17:3; Proverbs 29:25).

The Rewards

We must add one more detail in our look at this characteristic of the Wise Virgins. We must mention the rewards!

According to Scripture, there are great rewards for walking in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH. A brief list of these rewards can be a great motivation for us to pursue the Fear of THE MOST HIGH!

Notice these promises Father offers for those who walk in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH:

The angel of THE MOST HIGH encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. (Psalms 34:7)

O fear THE MOST HIGH, ye His saints: for there is no lack to them that fear Him. (Psalms 34:9)

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. (Psalms 103:11)

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Psalms 145:19)

THE MOST HIGH taketh pleasure [‘delights’] in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. (Psalms 147:11)

As seen in the above Scripture passages, these are wonderful rewards for those who Fear THE MOST HIGH:

• The angel of THE MOST HIGH surrounds them;
• They have no lack;
• They have Abba’s great mercy;
• Abba fulfills their desire;
• Abba hears their cry;
• Abba will save them;
• Abba delights in them!

What amazing love our heavenly Abba has for His children!

Let us remember however, that the Fear of THE MOST HIGH is the beginning of wisdom! When we have the Fear of THE MOST HIGH, then we have the ‘key’ that opens the vault that holds the treasures of wisdom! And wisdom, whose price is above rubies, is truly a treasure! [See Job 28:12-28.]

Learning the Fear of THE MOST HIGH is not only a key characteristic of the Wise Virgins, but it is also a key ingredient of our well-being (Ecclesiastes 8:12b). THE MOST HIGH Elohim created us, He loves us immensely, and He knows the beginning and the ending of all things! He knows therefore, that it is for our good, that we learn to Fear Him!

When King David prayed, “Teach me Your way, O THE MOST HIGH, … unite my heart to fear (yar’ey) Your name,” (Psalms 86:11), David was exhibiting his desire to learn and walk in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH. May this be our desire also: an undivided heart to honour Father, to learn to Fear Him, and to reverence (yar’ey) His holy Name (Psalms 111:9; Malachi 1:6).

The Greatest Reward

Let us also be reminded that our exceeding great reward is Messiah Himself (Genesis 15:1), who is the Bridegroom. And so the greatest reward or incentive for our gaining wisdom, is that we will want to become ready — ready to go in to the marriage with the Bridegroom! And the way we acquire that readiness is to do what Abba exhorts: ‘Get Wisdom!‘

But none of our readiness would be possible without the grace and mercy of our Abba! Our own efforts are not enough! We NEED the help of the Holy Spirit!!

Only by the Spirit of THE MOST HIGH imparting His wisdom to us, only by His help in maintaining our obedience to His Word, one-step-at-a-time, only then can we hope to be enabled to Be Ready for our Bridegroom.

Let us pray for Abba to keep us near Him always, and to seek His grace, that we so desperately need, in order to walk in the Fear of the LORD!

The one who is wise will be seeking and walking in the Fear of THE MOST HIGH! This is a vital and important characteristic of the Wise Virgins! The Fear of THE MOST HIGH is the one wisdom characteristic that initiates, supports, and cultivates all the other wisdom characteristics!

If we seek to cultivate this amazing quality, then we are on the road to gaining wisdom and, by His mercy, be among the company of the Wise Virgins!

Shema Selah in this wilderness on day 45 are we revering and honoring the Most High??  Fear is the beginning of wisdom!  https://www.facebook.com/fiveam.prayer/videos/1653476928063750/?l=586162473673190522

The Significance of the Number 40

We are walking in today:  The Significance of the Number 40

Witness prove throughout the Bible:  H5254 nacah-- to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put
to the proof or test

Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove H5254 me; try my reins and my heart.


The Torah....................
Exodus 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove H5254 them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

The prophets................
Daniel 1:12 Prove H5254 thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

The writings.............
Judges 6:39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, H5254 I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let
there be dew.

Ecclesiastes 7:23 All this have I proved H5254 by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

Of all the types and shadows of the Old Testament, none is as pervasive and important as the shadows revealed in the relationship between "forty," and the fulfillment of promises.

The rains (in Noah's day) fell for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:4).
Israel ate Manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35).
Moses was with the Most High in the mount, 40 days and nights (Exodus 24:18).
Moses was again with the Most High 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 34:28).
Moses led Israel from Egypt at age 80 (2 times 40), and after 40 years in the wilderness, died at 120 (3 times 40; Deuteronomy 34:7).
The spies searched the land of Canaan for 40 days (Numbers 13:25).
Therefore, the Most High made Israel wander for 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34).
40 stripes was the maximum whipping penalty (Deuteronomy 25:3).
The Most High allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 3:11).
The Most High again allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 5:31).
The Most High again allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 8:28).
Abdon (a judge in Israel) had 40 sons (Judges 12:14).
Israel did evil; the Most High gave them to an enemy for 40 years (Judges 13:1).
Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Samuel 4:18).
Goliath presented himself to Israel for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16).
Saul reigned for 40 years (Acts 13:21).
Ishbosheth (Saul's son) was 40 when he began reign (2 Samuel 2:10).
David reigned over Israel for 40 years (2 Samuel 5:4, 1 Kings 2:11).
The holy place of the temple was 40 cubits long (1 Kings 6:17).
40 baths (measurement) was size of lavers in Temple (1 Kings 7:38).
The sockets of silver are in groups of 40 (Exodus 26:19 & 21).
Solomon reigned same length as his father; 40 years (1 Kings 11:42).
Elijah had one meal that gave him strength 40 days (1 Kings 19:8).
Ezekiel bore the iniquity of the house of Judah for 40 days (Ezekiel 4:6).
Jehoash (Joash) reigned 40 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:1).
Egypt to be laid desolate for 40 years (Ezekiel 29:11-12).
Ezekiel's (symbolic) temple is 40 cubits long (Ezekiel 41:2).
The courts in Ezekiel's temple were 40 cubits long (Ezra 46:22).
The Most High gave Nineveh 40 days to repent (Jonah 3:4).
Jesus fasted 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2).
Jesus was tempted 40 days (Luke 4:2, Mark 1:13).
Jesus remained on earth 40 days after resurrection (Acts 1:3).
Women are pregnant for 40 weeks (time of testing).

The number forty is used by the Most High to represent a period of testing or judgment (the length of time necessary to accomplish some major part of the Most High's plan in his dealings with various portions of mankind). The 40 days of rain in the days of the flood were the judgments of the Most High. The 40 day periods of fasting, testing, and communing with the Most High that were faced by Moses and Yeshua were a form of the Most High's judgments. The forty years that the Israelites spent in the wilderness were also the judgments of the Most High. Various leaders in Israel who reigned for 40 year periods were put there BY the Most High according to His Will and Judgments. Egypt was left desolate for 40 years because of the Most High's judgments. I could go on and on, but I think these examples should suffice for now. 

Shema Selah, let us fully consider the importance of the number 40 throughout scripture!! 

One Who Is Wise Will Learn To Become A Listener!!!

Proverbs 10

We are walking in today:  One Who Is Wise Will Learn To Become A Listener!!!

Witness harken throughout the Bible:  H7181 qashab--to hear, be attentive, heed, incline (of ears), attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen

1 ​Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken H7181
than the fat of rams.

The Torah .....................
 Exodus 4:8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

The prophets..................
 Nehemiah 9:34 Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened H7181 unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.

The writings.............
 Psalm 5:2 Hearken H7181 unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

Song of Solomon 8:13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken H7181 to thy voice: cause me to hear it.

Today we are continuing our focus on those characteristics of wisdom that set the Wise Virgins apart from the Foolish Virgins.

As a brief recap, let’s look at what we discussed yesterday in this series:

When Yahushua Messiah taught the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, He spoke the following words:

“They that were ready went in with Him [the Bridegroom] to the marriage” (Matthew 25:10)

In speaking this parable, Yahushua taught His disciples the importance of being ‘ready’ for a marriage. The marriage referred to in this passage, as we see in Revelation 19:7-9, is Yahushua’s own marriage — “the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

In the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25, we are given the vital key for being ready for marriage to the Bridegroom: the Wise Virgins had wisdom, but the Foolish Virgins lacked wisdom!

It was the Wise Virgins in the parable who were ready to go in with the Bridegroom. And so it is the same with us today. If we desire to be ready, we too must have the same wisdom!


Entering, Walking in the Way of Wisdom

As we saw yesterday, wisdom comes from the Words of the Most High’s mouth, as recorded in the written Scriptures. We saw that the Wise Virgins begin their seeking for wisdom, by searching the Scriptures, and then putting into action what they read. They grow in wisdom, by their obedience to the Words of the Scriptures.

We saw that the wisdom of the Wise Virgins is not a state of being, but it is a daily walk, a ‘way’ or path to walk in — and that the choices we make, and the actions we take, reveal which path we are walking in.

We also saw that there is a prerequisite, a necessary requirement that we must meet, if we desire to enter, and walk in, the way of wisdom. We must have a willingness to change our lifestyle, and to begin to live our lives according to the Scriptures!

This is the first and foremost prerequisite to gaining wisdom that sets the Wise Virgins apart from the Foolish Virgins! From this willingness to change ones lifestyle — from living according to man-made traditions that contradict the Scriptures, to a lifestyle of obedience to the Scriptures — springs all the other characteristics of the Wise Virgins.

And so our goal in learning about the Biblical characteristics of wisdom is that we may become wise unto obedience, and in this way we become ready — ready so that we might be found among the company of the Wise Virgins, who go in to the marriage with the Bridegroom!

And now we will begin the next part of this series. The wisdom characteristic we will look at now is: the one who is wise receives instruction — that is, the wise ‘hearkens’ to counsel.

Hearkens to Counsel

This characteristic of the Wise Virgins is found in Proverbs 12:

“He that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)

The English word ‘hearken’ is the very important Hebrew word ‘shama‘ (Strong’s #8085), meaning “to hear intelligently, with the implication of attention, and the intention to obey.”

The one who desires to become wise will begin to carefully listen to, and patiently follow counsel, instruction, wisdom, and advice. If instruction is willingly received by one who has wisdom, that one will become teachable.

By listening carefully, and putting into practice what is being taught (obedience), the wise will become even wiser (Proverbs 9:9). This is how we grow in wisdom.

By listening carefully, the one who is wise will not be doing a lot of talking (Proverbs 10:19; 29:11). Rather than being a talker, one who is wise will learn to become a listener.

In contrast, one who is foolish despises and scorns instruction, counsel, wisdom, and understanding (Proverbs 1:7; 18:2). The one who is foolish loves to talk, often getting into trouble because of his constant talking (Proverbs 10:19; 18:7; 29:11).

Digging For Treasure

Seeking, and hearing, counsel and wisdom that is truth-FULL, and thus beneficial, means that we must love the truth! Otherwise we will be deceived (2Thessalonians 2:8-12).

What we must seek is truth that is according to the truth of the Scriptures, and this requires an effort that is similar to digging for treasure, as described in Proverbs 2. Digging for treasure has the exciting promise of great riches, yet the process can be difficult and wearisome.

In order to gain the true, spiritual wisdom that is according to the Scriptures, and taught by the Holy Spirit, we must begin our digging by searching out and investigating all that appears to be ‘wisdom.’

To become wise, we must prayerfully ‘dig,’ that is, begin to search in the Scriptures for ourselves, learning what the Scriptures teach. Then we must test anything we hear that claims to be Bible counsel, Bible teaching, Bible knowledge, Bible truth, or Bible understanding.

We are digging for the treasures of wisdom, only when we are pursuing the true wisdom that is according to the Scriptures — according to the Word of the Most High:

… O the Most High, give me understanding according to Your word. (Psalms 119:169)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalms 119:130)

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word. (Psalms 119:9)

Uphold me according unto Your word, that I may live …. (Psalms 119:116)

To the law [torah] and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word [the Scriptures], it is because there is no light [no truth] in them. (Isaiah 8:20)

As the above verses tell us, wisdom that is according to the Word of the Most High will strengthen us, and guard us, and will lead us into TRUTH and understanding. When we study the Scriptures as our primary source of wisdom, and then choose to hearken to and follow what it says, then we will grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. The Wise Virgins know this!

Our Example: Mary, or Martha?

In Luke chapter 10, we see the account of Mary and Martha. Martha’s focus was to be busy with much serving, but Mary’s focus was to sit at the feet of Yahushua, to listen and to learn:

And she [Martha] had a sister called Mary, who sat at Yahushua’s feet and listened to His teaching …. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Yahushua answered and said unto her, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:39-42)

As this passage teaches us, Yahushua tells us that Mary, rather than Martha, has chosen the one thing that is necessary: being near to Messiah, and listening to His teaching. Mary is a good example of one who desires to be wise, for she showed that she desired to ‘hearken unto counsel.’ Mary is a good example of a Wise Virgin, because her desire is to stay close to the Saviour, taking in His Words, and giving careful attention and obedience to all of His words.

It is this staying near to our Saviour [sitting at Messiah’s feet], and the genuine listening to, and applying, the wisdom and counsel found in the Scriptures, that makes one wise! The Wise Virgins develop the habit of daily Scripture reading and study, while asking God for wisdom (Proverbs 8:34; James 1:5), and hearkening to [hearing and obeying] His counsel, according to the Scriptures.

Father’s counsel, and His merciful grace, leads the Wise Virgins to apply the Word of God to their own lives — and it is this ‘hearkening,’ or the hearing and obeying His Word, that results in acquiring the treasure of wisdom (Proverbs 12:15b).

We gain further confirmation that our wisdom comes from hearkening, from listening to and heeding the counsel and instruction from God’s Word, in the following verses :

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end (Proverbs 19:20).

He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction (Proverbs 10:17).

As the above verses show us, we know that we are walking in ‘the way of wisdom,’ and in ‘the way of Life,’ when we are ‘keeping’ instruction [our ‘obedience’ to Scripture], by receiving instruction! The Hebrew word definitions give us more insight:

He is in the way of LIFE that keeps [guards, heeds, attends to] instruction [correction, chastisement, and discipline]. (Proverbs 10:17)

Thus we can easily see whether we are in the ‘way’ of life — when we guard, heed, and attend to the instruction and correction provided by the Most High, through His Word.

What is our Source of Wisdom: * A Caution *

If we are to hearken to counsel and instruction, we must be cautious regarding which source of ‘wisdom’ we are going to listen to. Not every ‘Bible study,’ not every pastor, teacher, or spiritual leader can be trusted to lead one to true wisdom. It requires great discernment on the part of the listener, to determine the wisdom of the words being spoken.

As we saw in The Wisdom of the Wise, pursuing wisdom can be a tricky endeavor. There are many hidden and foolish pitfalls to guard against, because true, spiritual wisdom is a hidden treasure, and is not easily recognized, and not easily acquired (1 Corinthians 2:7).

Many speak with man’s wisdom, but the true, spiritual wisdom that is taught by the Holy Spirit, will be in agreement with the holy Scriptures:

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:13)

And so if we are going to be wise, we must learn to look beneath the surface, to discern and test whether the ‘wisdom’ we are hearing is from man — or from the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the Scriptures to us.

We must make sure that the ‘wisdom’ we hear, and the understanding, knowledge, and counsel we listen to, will result in the ultimate reward of true wisdom: being ready for the Bridegroom, and for the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Discerning True Wisdom

Today there are many ‘Bible’ teachers — pastors, ministers, and spiritual leaders — who have the knowledge of a thousand different things, yet they have little or no knowledge of the Most High Elohim [the LORD God], and of His goodness and wisdom!

Sadly, there are some who are “wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge” (Jeremiah 4:22). Some even say, “We desire not the knowledge of God” (Job 21:14).

For this reason, any ‘Bible’ teachings we encounter, we must “try (test) the spirits whether they are of God” (1John 4:1); we must ask ourselves some important questions:

“Is this ‘wisdom’ pure and truthful, originating from the Heavenly Father, and according to all of the Scriptures — or is it a religious mixture, mixing truth with a few man-made doctrines and traditions?”

“Will this ‘wisdom’ lead me to the edification, and the saving, of my soul — or is it a spiritual mixture of ‘new age’ spiritism — extra ‘additions’ to the Most High’s Word, mixed in with a little bit of truth, thus defiling those who feed upon it?”

“Will this ‘wisdom’ help me to prepare as a Chaste Bride for the Bridegroom — or is it a side-issue, a distraction, something that is popular among the Foolish Virgins?”

Man-made, spiritual mixtures are among the most subtle and dangerous pitfalls that can rob us, stealing our crown, and can cause us to depart from The Faith (Jude 1:3). Spiritual mixtures, mixing the false with the true, can twist and pervert the truth of God’s Word, causing confusion, and ultimately cause us to practice a lie, instead of the truth!

We must consider carefully what it is that we are taking in as ‘wisdom,’ and diligently guard ourselves against the utter foolishness of “… ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).

Notice also, another hidden pitfall seen in the following passage:

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15).

As we begin to dig for the treasure of true wisdom, we will discover that much of what we find appears to be against what we already think is right, and true. We will soon find that some of what we have already learned from others is not true wisdom, but is the rubble and debris of man-made religious doctrines and mixtures! The only guard we have is to read the Scriptures for ourselves, and to personally investigate each Bible doctrine for ourselves, comparing them against what the Scriptures actually say.

As we begin to dig for wisdom’s riches, we will undoubtedly uncover the rubble of our own foolishness, or the foolishness of others, or the foolish rubble of the ‘wisdom of this world.’

Remembering Our Goal

As we seek for wisdom, we must remember our goal: to become ready — ready to go in to the marriage with the Bridegroom! The way we acquire that readiness is to do what Father exhorts: ‘Get wisdom!‘ For it is by the wisdom of our obedience to the Most High’s Word, that Father enables us to be ready, so that we too might be found among the company of the Wise Virgins.

Let us therefore stay close to our Saviour, seeking His merciful grace to help us listen to and learn His true wisdom. Let us remember this wonderful characteristic of the Wise Virgins: studying the Bible for ourselves, and then hearkening, listening to, and following the counsel found in the holy Scriptures. Those who do this, are well on their way to walking in the way of wisdom, and will be ready for the Bridegroom!

Shema Selah let us have ears that hearken to all that the Most High speaks to us!  https://www.facebook.com/fiveam.prayer/videos/1646828852061891/?l=4452378098768746624

You Must Actively Pursue Wisdom!!!!

Proverbs 4

We are walking in today:  You Must Actively Pursue Wisdom!!!! 

When Yahushua Messiah  taught the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, He spoke the following words:

“They that were ready went in with Him [the Bridegroom] to the marriage” (Matthew 25:10)

In speaking this parable, Yahushua taught His disciples the importance of being ready for a marriage. The marriage referred to in this passage, as we see in Revelation 19:7-9, is Yahushua’s own marriage — “the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

In the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25, we are given the vital key for being ready for marriage to the Bridegroom: the Wise Virgins had wisdom, but the Foolish Virgins lacked wisdom!

The Virgins who had extra oil were the ones who had wisdom! They were the WISE Virgins, and in this parable, they were ready to go in with the Bridegroom. And so it is the same with us today. If we desire to be ready, we too must have the same wisdom!

Get Wisdom

For this series of posts, we will focus on four different characteristics of wisdom, each one of which sets the Wise Virgins apart from the Foolish Virgins. First, we will begin the series with a short introduction, briefly examining the nature of this vital key known as wisdom.

The topic of ‘wisdom’ is not frequently discussed. We do not usually meet our friends for a cup of coffee to talk about ‘wisdom.’ And yet there are many who desire wisdom, yearning to live life in a wise manner.

We all have an inner knowing that somehow, if we are wise, we will prosper and avoid problems. I believe there is a natural, inborn desire for wisdom. Having wisdom is highly desirable by everyone, and wisdom is something we, as born again believers, are called to actively pursue. In the book of Proverbs, the Heavenly Father urges us to “Get Wisdom!”

Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not … Do not forsake her [Wisdom], and she shall preserve you: love her, and she shall keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:5-7)

The Most High wants us to seek wisdom — pure, undefiled, spiritual wisdom. When a person gets wisdom, the kind of wisdom that is the true, pure, spiritual wisdom from above, then all other tasks tend to become more easily accomplished.

There are certain qualities of true, spiritual wisdom that we can recognize, but only if we are earnestly and diligently seeking the true and pure wisdom from above. The true, spiritual wisdom is a hidden treasure, and is not easily recognized, and is not easily acquired (1 Corinthians 2:7). Yet it is the Wise Virgins who fervently seek Father’s pure, undefiled wisdom, and as a result, they find this wonderful quality called wisdom!

Gaining Wisdom: A Prerequisite

In seeking wisdom, the Wise Virgins have first come to understand that true wisdom is a gift from The Most High

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)

For the LORD gives wisdom: out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)

The above verses teach us that it is the heavenly Father alone who gives wisdom. Wisdom comes from the Words of His mouth, and His Words are recorded in the Scriptures. Thus the Wise Virgins begin their seeking for wisdom, by searching the Scriptures, and then putting into action what they read.

We may ask: But why do the Wise Virgins begin to earnestly seek for wisdom?

It is because of their love for their Bridegroom Saviour, Yahushua Messiah! Everything the Wise Virgins do is out of their deep and consuming love for the Lover of their souls, the One who first loved them (1John 4:9,19; Song of Songs 2:10; 7:10).

Because of their intense love for Yahushua, the Wise Virgins grow in wisdom and consequently, they grow in their obedience to the Words of the Scriptures. They begin to learn that the Scriptures hold the KEY to making them wise:

“…from a child you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Yahushua the Messiah” (2Timothy 3:15).

As this verse teaches us, the Wise Virgins study the ‘holy Scriptures’ and they apply its wisdom to their daily lives. They have a deep love for the Saviour and a strong willingness to change their lifestyle, so that they may walk by faith, and thus please God: without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6).

The Wise Virgins begin to live their lives according to the Scriptures! This then is the first and foremost prerequisite, or necessary requirement to gaining wisdom, that sets the Wise Virgins apart from the Foolish Virgins!

From this willingness to change ones lifestyle — from living according to man-made traditions that contradict the Scriptures, to a lifestyle of obedience to the Scriptures — springs all the other characteristics of the Wise Virgins.

But how can we bring about this change of lifestyle?

Are there more specific details that tell us what wisdom is, and how we might discover and put this wisdom into practice, so that we may be found among the Wise Virgins?

Yes! There are many details, laid out for us in the Scriptures, and especially in the Proverbs, that show us the characteristics of wisdom!

Wisdom Characteristics

The book of Proverbs reveals several distinct characteristics that set apart the Wise Virgins from the Foolish Virgins. These wisdom characteristics show us that wisdom is not a state of being, but it is a daily walk, it is a ‘way’ to walk in, as the following verse reveals:

“I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. (Proverbs 4:11).

Furthermore, throughout the Proverbs, we see that our daily walk — the choices we make, and the actions we take, reveal the way, or the path, we are walking in. These reveal whether we are in the way of wisdom, or in the way of the foolish.

We can see throughout the Proverbs, the actions of the Wise are contrasted with the actions of the Foolish, according to the following characteristics:

The Wise hearken to counsel;
The Wise walk in humility;
The Wise walk in the Fear of the Most High;
The Wise obey the WORD, the written Scriptures.

The above list shows only a few of the several characteristics of the Wise revealed in Scripture, yet these four are foundational to all the others.

However, we must always keep in mind, that even before we can begin to walk in the way of wisdom, we must meet the first and foremost prerequisite, or necessary requirement to gaining wisdom: a strong and serious willingness to live our lives according to obedience to the Scriptures!

If we have met this necessary requirement, then we have taken the first step in our journey in the way of wisdom. We can thus begin to grow in maturity by learning about and practicing the characteristics of wisdom that set the Wise Virgins apart from the Foolish Virgins!

Now, as we proceed with this series, we will look briefly at each one of the above, and highly desirable, characteristics of wisdom. Let us be as the Bereans, and thoroughly investigate Father’s Word regarding these characteristics. Our goal in learning about the characteristics of wisdom is so that we may become wise, and in this way become ready — ready to go in to the marriage with the Bridegroom!

The way we acquire that readiness is to do what Father exhorts: ‘Get wisdom!‘ For it is by the wisdom of our obedience to the Most High’s Word, that Father enables us to be ready, so that we might be among the company of the Wise Virgins.

Shema Selah we are to make ready seeking out wisdom daily!!

Weekend Meditation ENCORE: Ask For Wisdom In The Wilderness!!!!

Proverbs chapter 2


We are walking in today:  Weekend Meditation ENCORE: Ask For Wisdom In The Wilderness!!!!

Witness wisely through the Bible:   H2449 chakam--to be or become wise, act wisely; to make wise, teach wisdom, instruct

1 Samuel 18:14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.

​​The Torah.....................
 Exodus 1:10 Come on, let us deal wisely H2449 with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.

The prophets..................
 1 Samuel 18:5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

The writings.............
 Psalms 58:5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. H2449


Psalm 101:2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Many Believers are awaiting the Bridegroom’s return, but few have made themselves Ready. Scripture reveals a process of Separation, by which the Wise Bride-Candidates may prepare themselves. This is the process of Separation of the Wise.

Most Believers are familiar with the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew chapter 25. As we saw in the teaching, The Wise and Foolish Virgins, both groups were Born-Again Believers, as confirmed by the term "virgins." We also note that both the wise and foolish virgins are seen actively waiting for the return of the Bridegroom, again telling us both groups had the same focus at that point.

Although the Wise and Foolish virgins both had the similar focus of ‘waiting’ for the Bridegroom, they remained two separate groups in their preparation. In this writing we will look at the process of separation required of the Wise virgins. We will contrast the two groups in order to receive instruction, and to learn what to do, and what to avoid, in our own preparation.

Let us begin with the opening verse in the parable, as it reveals the fact that the virgins have been separated or 'divided' into two groups:

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (Matthew 25:1-2)

In the above passage, the two separate groups are contrasted by wisdom, and lack of wisdom. This is not an earthly wisdom, or the wisdom of this world; but a hidden Wisdom, a mystery, a Wisdom that is given by The Most High alone.

It is well to note that the Proverbs reveal many contrasts of the Wise vs. foolish, so we will begin there. As we look deeper into this contrast, we will discover a two-step process of separation that the 'Wise' virgins had gone through to become wise, but that the 'Foolish' virgins had avoided.



Wisdom: Its Initial Separation

Scripture reveals two distinct steps or phases the virgins must pass through for their preparation in obtaining wisdom. These are the virgins' initial separation or division, and their on-going separation — their 'set-apart' actions. This all-important first step may be seen in the Proverbs:

Through desire<08378> a man, having separated<06504> himself, seeketh<01245> and intermeddleth with all wisdom. (Proverbs 18:1)

The first thing we see is that the one who is 'Wise' has first separated himself (divide, part, separate; set-apart, divide from; same as sanctify, consecrate oneself) to seek wisdom.

We may have walked down an aisle, uttered a few words, and "believe" in our minds all the facts we read in Scripture. But it is not until a man has actually done what Paul describes in Rom 12:1-2, and what Yahushua said in Matt 11:29; Luke 14:27,33; and in John 21:19, that he actually separates himself, sets himself apart, and consecrates himself unto The Most High. These verses in the Gospel accounts and in Paul's message to the Romans, give a clear directive for the initial separation required for every truly Born-Again Believer.

Next we see in the above passage, that after the 'wise' had separated himself (because of his own longing or desire), he then actively seeks out wisdom. But where does he look for this wisdom? Notice the following:

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; (Proverbs 1:1-2)

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! (Proverbs 16:16)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5)

We see in the above passages that the purpose of Proverbs is to give Wisdom to those who desire Wisdom.

We then see that Wisdom begins with the Fear of The Most High. Having the Fear of The Most High is essential to our commitment to seek Wisdom, and to maintain our separation unto The Most High.

According to the same verse, however, the Fear of The Most High is the result of receiving, and hiding, and seeking out wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, just as one would seek gold, silver, or hidden treasures. The Fear of The Most High itself is described in at least 30 passages of Scripture, and these all reveal a panorama of wisdom in action! The seeker of Wisdom will surely want to search out all these verses, for they reveal the various characteristics of those who have the Fear of The Most High!

There are 31 chapters of Proverbs. One way to grow in wisdom and understanding of The Most High is to practice reading one Proverbs chapter each day, much like taking daily vitamins. As we continue to grow in our understanding of Scripture, we begin to enter into the second phase of wisdom — the on-going phase of being a "DO-er" of the Word of The Most High.


Wisdom: Its On-Going Separation

We may see this on-going contrast of the Wise from the foolish in many Scripture passages. Perhaps one of the most profound examples of this contrast can be seen in the following words of Yahushua, where He contrasts the wise and foolish in the process of building their lives:

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings<3056> of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7:24)

And every one that heareth these sayings<3056> of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (Matthew 7:26)

Notice the Wise and the foolish both heard the sayings of Yahushua, but the Wise is the one who became a "DO-er" of His Words. The foolish is one who hears the Word, but does not become a "DO-er" of the Word.

The importance of being a "DO-er" of the Word is summed up by James, in the following passage:


But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:22-25)

In the above passages, we see that being a "DO-er" of Yahushua's Word delivers us from deception. This is a foundational Truth, and is essential for anyone that hopes to gain Wisdom. Let us digress briefly, to re-state exactly what Yahushua meant when He said, "these sayings of mine."


Wisdom: the Sayings of Yahushua Bring its Separation

In the above passages in Matthew 7:24, 26 the word 'sayings' is the Greek word 'logos,' Strong's number <3056> ("words, sayings, decrees, or things; speech").

The question we must ask is, "What are the sayings or Words of Yahushua?"

To answer this question, let's look at the following passage:

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division<1267>: (Luke 12:51)

Notice that Yahushua said He would bring 'division' ("separation, division, or parting asunder"). How does Yahushua bring about this division? It is by His sayings — His Words. Let's see why and how this is true.

Many today do not yet 'know' Messiah (Matthew 25:12). They do not yet realize and comprehend that it was the WORD of Yahweh, Messiah Himself, who gave the Tablets, and all the Words and Commandments, to Moses and all the Prophets. Thus the entire 'Torah,' as well as the Psalms and the Prophets — what we might call the 'Old Testament' — are the Words and Commandments of Messiah Yahushua Himself!

And so we may summarize the actions of the 'Wise' as follows:

The 'Wise' are those who are committed to being "DO-ers" of all the Words of Yahushua;

The Words of Yahushua include even the Words Messiah gave to Moses and the Prophets (the 'Torah');

It is therefore the 'Wise' who become "DO-ers" of all the Words of Yahushua, including His Words in the Torah!

The 'Wise' are those who keep His Commandments — "If you love me, keep 'My' Commandments" (John 14:15). These show that they have the "Beginning of Wisdom" (the Fear of The Most High) because they have begun to allow "Messiah-in-them" (Col 1:27) to provide the ongoing, daily Grace needed to keep all of His own Commandments, while living within (Php 1:11; Psalms 112:1).

These also show by their obedience to Messiah’s words in Torah, that they know Him.

The 'Wise' are thus divided, or separated, from the rest, by being "DO-ers" of all of Yahushua's Words, including those He gave to Moses.



Wisdom: The Results of its Separation

As we continue to grow in wisdom, and to become "DO-ers of the Word, we begin to notice a few things in Scripture that are the exact opposite of what we have heard in the commercial assemblies:

Hear<08085>, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law<08451> ("Torah"). (Proverbs 4:1-2)

My son, hear<08085> the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law<08451> ("Torah") of thy mother<0517> ("your point of departure, division"): For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9)

She (wisdom) shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. (Proverbs 4:9)

In the above passages, we see several interesting things:

We are instructed to "Hear" (Strong's number <08085> "hearken; hear and obey") the Father's instructions.

The instruction of our Heavenly Father is "good" teaching. His "good teaching" includes instruction for us to "forsake not His Torah."

The (doing of) Torah, and all of The Most High's Word, is our "point of departure or division," our point of separation. Being a "DO-er" of Torah is what separates or 'divides' us from others who are not "DO-ers" of Torah. Thus our being a "DO-er" of Torah is the determining factor of our separation. This is in agreement with what we saw above in Luke 12:51, that the Word (Yahushua) brings division.


In Prov 1:9, we see that Father's instruction, and (the doing of) the Torah, together become an ornament of Grace. This ornament or "wreath" is the sign or token of true Grace at work in our lives, that we will be victorious in the race, because we are running the race "lawfully" (2Tim 2:5).


In Prov 4:9, we see that Wisdom 'gives, yields, makes, or constitutes' an ornament of Grace. The ornament or wreath here is the same one indicated in Prov 1:9, and this logical equality shows that Instruction and the doing of Torah in Prov 1:9 are "equal to" the Wisdom of Prov 4:9.

The above are a few of many passages showing the many blessings given to all Born-Again Believers who choose to become "DO-ers" of Torah — "DO-ers" of the Words of Yahushua. Again we see that it is in being a "DO-er" of Torah that is the point of departure, separation, and division of the 'Wise,' from those who are not "DO-ers" of Torah.

Lest we think, however, that it is simply a matter of our "works" that we are talking about, we must be reminded that it is only by The Most High's Grace that one becomes 'Wise.' All that is required of man is his 'co-operation.'


Wisdom: Separation by Co-operation

We will now look at one necessary picture of the on-going process of separation of the Wise:

Sanctify<37> them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)

That he might sanctify<37> and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26)

In the above passages, it is clear that The Most High Himself is the One who separates, or sanctifies us, by His Word. As we have already seen, the 'Wise' Believer is the obedient one, the "DO-er" of His Word, who has begun the process of separating himself unto The Most High. However, it is both The Most High and the Seeker of Wisdom that are working in co-operation with one another.

Our co-operation with The Most High is a necessary requirement in this on-going process of separation. It is "Messiah-in-you" who leads, teaches, and separates the Bride-Candidate. Thus it is ultimately The Most High who, by His Grace, brings about this separation — but only as we co-operate through our prayers, our desires, and our obedience to His Word.

Conclusion

The separation of the Wise virgins began with an inner desire and longing to obtain Wisdom. The first step to obtain Wisdom is the commitment to separate oneself unto The Most High. The Wise virgins are those who have made the commitment to find, and to walk in, the Fear of The Most High.

The Wise virgins continued to set-apart themselves, and to separate themselves, as they grew in understanding. They committed themselves to be "DO-ers" of the Truth of the Word of The Most High, as soon as it was revealed to them, thus avoiding deception.

The Wise virgins understood that it is the "doing" of all the Words or sayings of Yahushua that sanctifies them, sets them apart, and separates them from the others. They understood that being "DO-ers" of the Torah became their point of separation or division, their point of departure from the multitudes.

The Foolish virgins, in contrast, failed to pay the full price to make the required initial separation. They may have made an initial commitment to follow Yahushua, and perhaps an initial repentance from their own way. Perhaps they received forgiveness of their sin. The Foolish virgins may have made an initial separation, but perhaps had heard teachings in the commercial assemblies that conflicted with the Word, resulting in confusion. For whatever reason, the Foolish virgins were not able to progress beyond the initial phase of separation. These had simply failed to enter the on-going process of separation.

As they awaited the arrival of the Bridegroom, the Wise and Foolish virgins were of the same focus, but the paths they had each taken to arrive at that waiting room was vastly different. The Wise virgins had separated themselves from the Way of the multitudes, and had committed themselves to walk on a narrow road, wherein few traveled. It was a lonely road. It was a road despised by the multitudes. It was the Way of The Most High.

The Foolish virgins, however, preferred the way of the multitudes, and were never able to separate themselves unto the road less-traveled, to walk in the Way of The Most High. Instead, most preferred the comfort of the crowd, and the acceptance and approval of men, "not seeking the love of the truth." (2 Thess 2:10).

Yes, the Wise and Foolish virgins had taken two separate paths that were quite different. The Apostle Paul revealed the difficulties of those following the narrow path, but he also described the "Delight" that enables one to continue in the midst of the difficulties (Rom 7:22).

This is the path of Separation required of all that would desire to be among the Wise virgins, at the moment the Bridegroom arrives. And so the Bridegroom continues to call:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)
He that has ears to hear, let him hear!  Shema Selah  what are you facing in the wilderness, preparing to walk in wisdom with the Bridegroom!

Ask For Wisdom In The Wilderness!!!

Proverbs 2

We are walking in today:  Ask For Wisdom In The Wilderness!!!

Witness understanding  throughout the Bible:   H8394 tabuwn--understanding, intelligence
the act of understanding, skill, the faculty of understanding, intelligence, understanding, insight

1 ​ ​Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding H8394 exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

The Torah  .....................
 Deuteronomy 32:28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding H8394 in them.

The prophets..................
 Jeremiah 51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his
wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. H8394

The writings.............
 Proverbs 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; H8394

Psalms 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. H8394

Many Believers are awaiting the Bridegroom’s return, but few have made themselves Ready. Scripture reveals a process of Separation, by which the Wise Bride-Candidates may prepare themselves. This is the process of Separation of the Wise.

Most Believers are familiar with the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew chapter 25. As we saw in the teaching, The Wise and Foolish Virgins, both groups were Born-Again Believers, as confirmed by the term "virgins." We also note that both the wise and foolish virgins are seen actively waiting for the return of the Bridegroom, again telling us both groups had the same focus at that point.

Although the Wise and Foolish virgins both had the similar focus of ‘waiting’ for the Bridegroom, they remained two separate groups in their preparation. In this writing we will look at the process of separation required of the Wise virgins. We will contrast the two groups in order to receive instruction, and to learn what to do, and what to avoid, in our own preparation.

Let us begin with the opening verse in the parable, as it reveals the fact that the virgins have been separated or 'divided' into two groups:

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (Matthew 25:1-2)

In the above passage, the two separate groups are contrasted by wisdom, and lack of wisdom. This is not an earthly wisdom, or the wisdom of this world; but a hidden Wisdom, a mystery, a Wisdom that is given by The Most High alone.

It is well to note that the Proverbs reveal many contrasts of the Wise vs. foolish, so we will begin there. As we look deeper into this contrast, we will discover a two-step process of separation that the 'Wise' virgins had gone through to become wise, but that the 'Foolish' virgins had avoided.



Wisdom: Its Initial Separation

Scripture reveals two distinct steps or phases the virgins must pass through for their preparation in obtaining wisdom. These are the virgins' initial separation or division, and their on-going separation — their 'set-apart' actions. This all-important first step may be seen in the Proverbs:

Through desire<08378> a man, having separated<06504> himself, seeketh<01245> and intermeddleth with all wisdom. (Proverbs 18:1)

The first thing we see is that the one who is 'Wise' has first separated himself (divide, part, separate; set-apart, divide from; same as sanctify, consecrate oneself) to seek wisdom.

We may have walked down an aisle, uttered a few words, and "believe" in our minds all the facts we read in Scripture. But it is not until a man has actually done what Paul describes in Rom 12:1-2, and what Yahushua said in Matt 11:29; Luke 14:27,33; and in John 21:19, that he actually separates himself, sets himself apart, and consecrates himself unto The Most High. These verses in the Gospel accounts and in Paul's message to the Romans, give a clear directive for the initial separation required for every truly Born-Again Believer.

Next we see in the above passage, that after the 'wise' had separated himself (because of his own longing or desire), he then actively seeks out wisdom. But where does he look for this wisdom? Notice the following:


The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; (Proverbs 1:1-2)

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! (Proverbs 16:16)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5)

We see in the above passages that the purpose of Proverbs is to give Wisdom to those who desire Wisdom.

We then see that Wisdom begins with the Fear of The Most High. Having the Fear of The Most High is essential to our commitment to seek Wisdom, and to maintain our separation unto The Most High.

According to the same verse, however, the Fear of The Most High is the result of receiving, and hiding, and seeking out wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, just as one would seek gold, silver, or hidden treasures. The Fear of The Most High itself is described in at least 30 passages of Scripture, and these all reveal a panorama of wisdom in action! The seeker of Wisdom will surely want to search out all these verses, for they reveal the various characteristics of those who have the Fear of The Most High!

There are 31 chapters of Proverbs. One way to grow in wisdom and understanding of The Most High is to practice reading one Proverbs chapter each day, much like taking daily vitamins. As we continue to grow in our understanding of Scripture, we begin to enter into the second phase of wisdom — the on-going phase of being a "DO-er" of the Word of The Most High.


Wisdom: Its On-Going Separation

We may see this on-going contrast of the Wise from the foolish in many Scripture passages. Perhaps one of the most profound examples of this contrast can be seen in the following words of Yahushua, where He contrasts the wise and foolish in the process of building their lives:


Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings<3056> of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7:24)

And every one that heareth these sayings<3056> of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (Matthew 7:26)

Notice the Wise and the foolish both heard the sayings of Yahushua, but the Wise is the one who became a "DO-er" of His Words. The foolish is one who hears the Word, but does not become a "DO-er" of the Word.

The importance of being a "DO-er" of the Word is summed up by James, in the following passage:


But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:22-25)

In the above passages, we see that being a "DO-er" of Yahushua's Word delivers us from deception. This is a foundational Truth, and is essential for anyone that hopes to gain Wisdom. Let us digress briefly, to re-state exactly what Yahushua meant when He said, "these sayings of mine."

Wisdom: the Sayings of Yahushua Bring its Separation

In the above passages in Matthew 7:24, 26 the word 'sayings' is the Greek word 'logos,' Strong's number <3056> ("words, sayings, decrees, or things; speech").

The question we must ask is, "What are the sayings or Words of Yahushua?"

To answer this question, let's look at the following passage:


Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division<1267>: (Luke 12:51)

Notice that Yahushua said He would bring 'division' ("separation, division, or parting asunder"). How does Yahushua bring about this division? It is by His sayings — His Words. Let's see why and how this is true.

Many today do not yet 'know' Messiah (Matthew 25:12). They do not yet realize and comprehend that it was the WORD of Yahweh, Messiah Himself, who gave the Tablets, and all the Words and Commandments, to Moses and all the Prophets. Thus the entire 'Torah,' as well as the Psalms and the Prophets — what we might call the 'Old Testament' — are the Words and Commandments of Messiah Yahushua Himself!

And so we may summarize the actions of the 'Wise' as follows:

The 'Wise' are those who are committed to being "DO-ers" of all the Words of Yahushua;


The Words of Yahushua include even the Words Messiah gave to Moses and the Prophets (the 'Torah');

It is therefore the 'Wise' who become "DO-ers" of all the Words of Yahushua, including His Words in the Torah!

The 'Wise' are those who keep His Commandments — "If you love me, keep 'My' Commandments" (John 14:15). These show that they have the "Beginning of Wisdom" (the Fear of The Most High) because they have begun to allow "Messiah-in-them" (Col 1:27) to provide the ongoing, daily Grace needed to keep all of His own Commandments, while living within (Php 1:11; Psalms 112:1).

These also show by their obedience to Messiah’s words in Torah, that they know Him.

The 'Wise' are thus divided, or separated, from the rest, by being "DO-ers" of all of Yahushua's Words, including those He gave to Moses.


Wisdom: The Results of its Separation

As we continue to grow in wisdom, and to become "DO-ers of the Word, we begin to notice a few things in Scripture that are the exact opposite of what we have heard in the commercial assemblies:

Hear<08085>, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law<08451> ("Torah"). (Proverbs 4:1-2)

My son, hear<08085> the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law<08451> ("Torah") of thy mother<0517> ("your point of departure, division"): For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9)

She (wisdom) shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. (Proverbs 4:9)

In the above passages, we see several interesting things:

We are instructed to "Hear" (Strong's number <08085> "hearken; hear and obey") the Father's instructions.

The instruction of our Heavenly Father is "good" teaching. His "good teaching" includes instruction for us to "forsake not His Torah."

The (doing of) Torah, and all of The Most High's Word, is our "point of departure or division," our point of separation. Being a "DO-er" of Torah is what separates or 'divides' us from others who are not "DO-ers" of Torah. Thus our being a "DO-er" of Torah is the determining factor of our separation. This is in agreement with what we saw above in Luke 12:51, that the Word (Yahushua) brings division.

In Prov 1:9, we see that Father's instruction, and (the doing of) the Torah, together become an ornament of Grace. This ornament or "wreath" is the sign or token of true Grace at work in our lives, that we will be victorious in the race, because we are running the race "lawfully" (2Tim 2:5).

In Prov 4:9, we see that Wisdom 'gives, yields, makes, or constitutes' an ornament of Grace. The ornament or wreath here is the same one indicated in Prov 1:9, and this logical equality shows that Instruction and the doing of Torah in Prov 1:9 are "equal to" the Wisdom of Prov 4:9.

The above are a few of many passages showing the many blessings given to all Born-Again Believers who choose to become "DO-ers" of Torah — "DO-ers" of the Words of Yahushua. Again we see that it is in being a "DO-er" of Torah that is the point of departure, separation, and division of the 'Wise,' from those who are not "DO-ers" of Torah.

Lest we think, however, that it is simply a matter of our "works" that we are talking about, we must be reminded that it is only by The Most High's Grace that one becomes 'Wise.' All that is required of man is his 'co-operation.'

Wisdom: Separation by Co-operation

We will now look at one necessary picture of the on-going process of separation of the Wise:

Sanctify<37> them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)

That he might sanctify<37> and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26)

In the above passages, it is clear that The Most High Himself is the One who separates, or sanctifies us, by His Word. As we have already seen, the 'Wise' Believer is the obedient one, the "DO-er" of His Word, who has begun the process of separating himself unto The Most High. However, it is both The Most High and the Seeker of Wisdom that are working in co-operation with one another.

Our co-operation with The Most High is a necessary requirement in this on-going process of separation. It is "Messiah-in-you" who leads, teaches, and separates the Bride-Candidate. Thus it is ultimately The Most High who, by His Grace, brings about this separation — but only as we co-operate through our prayers, our desires, and our obedience to His Word.

Conclusion

The separation of the Wise virgins began with an inner desire and longing to obtain Wisdom. The first step to obtain Wisdom is the commitment to separate oneself unto The Most High. The Wise virgins are those who have made the commitment to find, and to walk in, the Fear of The Most High.

The Wise virgins continued to set-apart themselves, and to separate themselves, as they grew in understanding. They committed themselves to be "DO-ers" of the Truth of the Word of The Most High, as soon as it was revealed to them, thus avoiding deception.

The Wise virgins understood that it is the "doing" of all the Words or sayings of Yahushua that sanctifies them, sets them apart, and separates them from the others. They understood that being "DO-ers" of the Torah became their point of separation or division, their point of departure from the multitudes.

The Foolish virgins, in contrast, failed to pay the full price to make the required initial separation. They may have made an initial commitment to follow Yahushua, and perhaps an initial repentance from their own way. Perhaps they received forgiveness of their sin. The Foolish virgins may have made an initial separation, but perhaps had heard teachings in the commercial assemblies that conflicted with the Word, resulting in confusion. For whatever reason, the Foolish virgins were not able to progress beyond the initial phase of separation. These had simply failed to enter the on-going process of separation.

As they awaited the arrival of the Bridegroom, the Wise and Foolish virgins were of the same focus, but the paths they had each taken to arrive at that waiting room was vastly different. The Wise virgins had separated themselves from the Way of the multitudes, and had committed themselves to walk on a narrow road, wherein few traveled. It was a lonely road. It was a road despised by the multitudes. It was the Way of The Most High.

The Foolish virgins, however, preferred the way of the multitudes, and were never able to separate themselves unto the road less-traveled, to walk in the Way of The Most High. Instead, most preferred the comfort of the crowd, and the acceptance and approval of men, "not seeking the love of the truth." (2Thess 2:10).

Yes, the Wise and Foolish virgins had taken two separate paths that were quite different. The Apostle Paul revealed the difficulties of those following the narrow path, but he also described the "Delight" that enables one to continue in the midst of the difficulties (Rom 7:22).

This is the path of Separation required of all that would desire to be among the Wise virgins, at the moment the Bridegroom arrives. And so the Bridegroom continues to call:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)


He that has ears to hear, let him hear!  Shema Selah What will we hearken to in the wilderness, will we have oil in our lamps or arrive empty handed??