By Rafael Treviño
Free Indeed Ministries
Our Savior Yeshua Messiah was the perfect example for us, we follow a Man of Wisdom and Understanding with knowledge and discernment of all things, we as His followers must strive to walk even as He walked. These qualities are distinct and given by YHVH. There are many examples of men endowed with these qualities in the Scriptures.
One such Man was Bezalel בצלאל:
“Bezalel,” which in Hebrew literally means “in the shadow of ELOHIM.”
“and I have filled him with the Spirit of YHVH, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,”
Exodus 31:3
A Man of Wisdom
“For the YHVH giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6
Bezalel was endowed “with ability and intelligence, with knowledge.” In the Hebrew, these are three very distinct gifts. The
first of these, “ability”, is chochma חְָכְ מָָה in Hebrew. This is much more than merely possessing facts or worldly knowledge. Chochma is wisdom, the ability to speak wisely, beyond merely uttering “windy words”:
“Shall windy words have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?”
Job 16:3
Chochma is walking in wisdom evidenced by our actions of obedience to YHVH and His Word, the fruit of wisdom is evident for all to see.
Chochma comes from YHVH. It is given and it is not carnal or worldly. The biblical example of this “wisdom” is King Solomon, who was known throughout the world for his wisdom.
This wisdom as we read in the scriptures was given to him from above:
“ELOHIM answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king,”
2 Chronicles 1:1 Though it was given to him he chose not to walk in it and his choices reflected the opposite when he allowed his pagan wife’s to turn him from obedience of YHVH’s Commandments which is wisdom. As a direct consequence Israel was divided and it remains divided till this day.
We must seek wisdom from our Father and apply it to our life.
A Man of Understanding
The second gift given to Bezalel, “intelligence,” is tevunah ְתְ בוּנָָה in Hebrew. The root of this Hebrew word refers to the ability to discern. The ability to know right from wrong and even“almost right from right”. This is a “man of understanding”:
“Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.” Proverbs 15:21
This discernment refers to the ability to see beyond what can be seen in other words spiritual sight, judgement in righteousness and understanding. This gift is also given from above.
➢ People are deceived for lack of spiritual discernment.
Adam allowed Eve to sin for refusing to use this gift, even though it was given to him.
Discernment though given must be applied as actions for it to become wisdom. This is always a choice. Discernment then is evidenced in our walk as believers, in our choice to walk in Truth and reject man made deception and doctrines and obey YHVH’s Word.
It will show as good fruit in us. But the opposite happens when we refuse to walk in His commandments which are Truth:
“Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as YHVH my ELOHIM commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deuteronomy 4:5-6
- The consequence of disobedience is deception.
- Disobedience and pride lead to Spiritual blindness.
A Man Of Knowledge
The third quality, “knowledge,” is da’at דַַּעַת in Hebrew.
Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” This refers to worldly knowledge of what is right and wrong. Originally, this quality belonged to YHVH ELOHIM alone, then Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in willful disobedience. As a result they “gained” this knowledge not intended for them/us. They were then expelled from the garden (and us as their descendants with them). Knowledge can be given yet it is learned either by being instructed or by experience. Worldly knowledge is also known as cunning or wit, qualities of the serpent.
YHVH warns us about this worldly wit or mockery in the first Psalm:
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,”
Psalm 1:1
- These qualities of the serpent have become part of the world.
- This twisted knowledge has good and evil in it.
- This is not to be confused with wisdom and discernment.
A person can be endowed with knowledge yet have no wisdom, discernment or understanding.
Sadly the world and the flesh values the serpent’s carnal knowledge above al the other qualities.
As an example we see that Peter was rebuked by Yeshua for submitting himself to this carnal knowledge:
“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan:
thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of YHVH, but those that be of men.” Matthew 16:21-23
Ø YHVH’s knowledge is opposite to this worldly quality.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saithYHVH. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
The Fear of YHVH The Foundation
The Fear of YHVH leads us to Him and to His precious Son Yeshua our Messiah. We then become His willing followers, He becomes Lord (Adoni) and we come in to the knowledge of Him and His divine Word. This is His knowledge not the one given by the world or learned in the flesh and sin.
“The fear of YHVH is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 and again:
“Then shalt thou understand the fear of YHVH,
And find the knowledge of ELOHIM.” Proverbs 2:5
Seek true wisdom and understanding that is from above it is a gift, do it in humility and obedience with fear and trembling before YHVH.
But be warned, the carnal minds around you will fight you and persecute you for you wield a divine sword that is His Word, and it cuts flesh and worldly knowledge.
“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. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Messiah.” 1 Corinthians 2:13-16
Are yo walking in wisdom, discernment and understanding?
I pray this teaching has blessed you in wisdom and understanding.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of YHVH.”
Romans 12:2 Shalom Shalom ~
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