Faith and Wisdom
By Dr. Derek Carlsen
The relationship between true faith and action is like the relationship between knowledge and wisdom. True faith manifests itself by actions in real-world contexts. Likewise, knowledge knows something, but wisdom effectively applies knowledge in real-world contexts. Every aspect or area of life needs the preserving forces of faith and wisdom.
Being Effective
Reading the signs of the times is a comprehensive calling that touches everything, encompassing not only the religious (Matthew 16:3), but also the political, economic and safety aspects of our existence. The Lord expects us to know what good and evil (or bad) look like in every area and then act with wisdom, by advancing what’s good and countering what’s evil (or bad). To do this we need to live by faith, believing that God has revealed everything needed to be effective for Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 13:20-21).
The Slaves Didn’t Connect the Dots
The Israelite slaves in Egypt failed to understand the meaning of Moses slaying the Egyptian taskmaster and so foolishly spread the story far and wide (Exodus 2:11-14). This resulted in Moses leaving Egypt on his own and the slaves enduring another forty years of hard bondage (see the article, “Lawlessness and Usurped Authority, Part One”).
Rahab Read the Signs
When Joshua’s spies were speaking to Rahab in Jericho, she had read the signs of the times and connected the dots. She said that they had heard how the Red Sea had been dried up and how the Amorite kings had been destroyed and thus, Jericho would not prevail against Israel (Joshua 2:10-11).
David wasn’t Naïve
David was “hired” to play skillful music on the harp to calm King Saul when a distressing spirit came upon him (1 Samuel 16:14, 23). However, at some point, David read the signs and realized that Saul’s violent behavior was directly aimed at David himself. Thus, David first confirmed that his suspicions were correct, and then hid himself from Saul (1 Samuel 20:5ff, 42).
Hezekiah’s Wisdom
King Hezekiah read the political times correctly and realized that the Assyrians would besiege Jerusalem. Thus, he buried all the water sources outside the city and dug an underground tunnel that channeled water, from a hidden spring, into the city (2 Chronicles 32:3-4, 30). Access to water is a critical component for either mounting or withstanding a siege. In essence, Hezekiah foresaw the evil and acted to protect himself and his people (Proverbs 22:3; 27:12).
Signs of Corruption
Jesus cleansed the temple in Jerusalem twice, once at the beginning of His ministry and once at the end, making it clear that deep corruption existed at the highest levels of Jewish leadership (John 2:15; Luke 19:45). However, the people in Jerusalem failed to read these signs and thus united with their corrupt leaders in condemning Jesus to death (Mark 15:11-14). There were consequences for such irresponsible “ignorance.” Their willful blindness caused them to say one of the most preposterous things in all of history, namely, that Jesus’ blood (His murder) should be laid upon them and their children (Matthew 27:25).
The Destruction of Jerusalem
Jesus told His disciples to watch for the signs, saying, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.” (Luke 21:20–21). And again, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” (Matthew 24:32–33).
They Wouldn’t Deceive Us
For most people, the foundations of stability and security rest upon the assumption that their political leaders wouldn’t lie to them. The mental acknowledgment of being politically deceived is off the radar screen of possibility for them, because the implication of this throws everything into flux. However, politicians are mostly at war with the truth, for example, Kings Saul and Ahab, as well as the Sanhedrim, in Jesus’ days, were all against the truth. We are not to be naïve or horrified by our leaders’ lies, but respond in truth by exposing them and trusting the God of truth. We have been and continue to be lied to on a massive scale and denying this is a failure of faith and wisdom.
Leaving an Inheritance
Scripture says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” (Proverbs 13:22). The presumption here is that wealth ought to retain its value over long periods of time. The problem in every age, however, is that currency tends to become dross, that is, diluted and worthless (Isaiah 1:22), thus the grandchildren’s inheritance turns to dust. Reading the signs of the times, economically, means being vigilant in keeping the dross away from our wealth (Proverbs 25:4), by preserving it with something that’s scarce and extremely difficult to debase (Psalm 12:6).
Belshazzar’s Party
There were probably a number of reasons Belshazzar decided to throw a massive party when the Medes and Persians were encamped outside Babylon. It is likely, though, that one of reasons was that Babylon had been safe and strong for so long, that it was thought to be impossible that it could fall (Daniel 5). Nations rise and fall in accordance with God’s will, however, those that have been found wanting by the Lord, usually misread the signs of the time (e.g., Daniel 1:1-2; 5:26-28 and many other similar events). Having eyes to see, they do not see.
Fatal Presumptions
Noah was a preacher of righteousness in a world that was extremely wicked (2 Peter 2:5; Genesis 6:13), however that generation ignored his warnings about their evilness, presuming life would continue as it had always done (Luke 17:27)—it didn’t. We too, in our days, can presumptuously ignore the signs of our nation’s demise, hoping instead that our way of life will continue unchanged for the foreseeable future—it can’t. If we fail to read the signs of our times we will fail to be effective in the different areas of life, i.e., mental, political, economic, safety, etc.