The Wisdom Of God

Alba 2-16-2025

THE WISDOM OF GOD

I Corinthians 2:6-16

A father and his small son were out walking one day when the boy asked him a question. “Dad, how does electricity could go through the wires stretched between the telephone poles?”

“I don't know,” said his father. “I never knew much about electricity.” A few roads farther on, the boy asked what caused lightning and thunder. “That has puzzled me too,” came the reply.

The youngster continued to inquire about many things, none of which the father could explain. Finally, as they were nearing home, the boy said, “Dad, I hope you didn't mind all those questions.” “Not at all,” replied his father. “If you don't ask, how else are you going to learn?”

Socrates is quoted as saying, “The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.” I think that father would qualify. There are a lot of things that we don't know. And for years, people did not know the plan God had to make possible our salvation. Throughout the Old Testament, God kept giving hints, but now it has been made known.

To prepare for our look at I Corinthians 2:6-16 lets start with a scripture from Philippians 2:5 which says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” In that context it is telling us to be humble, to consider the needs of others above ourselves, because that is exactly what Jesus did. Philippians 2:8 says, “He humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross.” He did that for us because we needed it. Jesus willingly gave up what rightfully belonged to Him! What humility that took! I don’t know about you, but I’ve got enough sin myself without taking on someone else’s sins! But even though Jesus never sinned one time, He was willing to take our sins upon Himself and pay the penalty of the second death for us!

That is good news. That is the Gospel. But many people hear that and they stumble over it and consider it foolishness, missing the wisdom of God. That's why the apostle Paul thought it was important to be sure to proclaim the message, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Yet to many...

1. God's Wisdom was Hidden

The apostle Paul, after stating that his preaching was not with “ persuasive words of human wisdom,” (vs. 4), follows that here in I Corinthians 2:6-9. “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'”

God created a plan which was foreordained before the world was created, and kept it a mystery. Depending on which Bible version you are reading, you may see the word “mystery” or “secret.” The Lord kept it a secret for thousands of years until Jesus went to the cross. Indeed, God had a plan, a wonderful plan, that people often don't understand. Even though seen as foolish by some, in reality, it is a demonstration of God's great wisdom.

In the Levitical Law of the Old Testament, the Lord was very clear about the different types and reasons for animal sacrifices. There were burnt offerings, meal offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings. When Jesus Christ offered Himself as our offering on the Cross at Calvary, He fulfilled all of the righteous requirements of the Law on our behalf. So, there is no longer a need for animal sacrifices. Jesus covered our sins, made peace between God and us, and paid for all our trespasses. This is how we become “Holy, acceptable” to the Lord.

The secret wisdom, this mystery, is that God would send His own Son, Jesus, as the Messiah and that Jesus would bring salvation through His death on the cross. He was our sacrifice for our sins. If the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers would have understood who Jesus was, they would have never crucified Him. Yet, by killing Him, they carried out God's plan. This is really the ultimate irony.

It is possible that if God had not kept it a secret, the human rulers (and Satan) would have tried to spoil God’s plan by not crucifying Jesus. They thought they were so wise, yet by their folly they brought to pass, in God’s perfect providence, His own wise plan --- the very plan they dismissed as foolishness. Because of the foreknowledge of God, He knew of the evil activities of Satan and his kind and put a plan in place to defeat them.