Wisdom is Better than Strength
“A wise man is mightier than a strong man. Wisdom is mightier than strength.” Proverbs 24:25 The Living Bible
Most people desire power. Power puts us in control. We may think the more power we have the easier life will be for us. But look at the leaders of our country, especially the Prime Minister. He has a lot of power but his life is also very complicated.
I spent a day at the zoo last week with my preschool grandsons. They were in extreme awe of the large animals, like the hippos, the tigers, the lions and the elephants. They are all very powerful looking animals. At first the boys were even afraid to be in the same vicinity with them. I showed them that there were protective measures taken so the animals couldn’t come close to them or hurt them. The fence didn’t give them any sense of security.
They did not like the gorillas. I wanted to impress them with the similarities between these huge beasts and humans. At times gorillas walk on two feet; they hold their food in their hands just like we do when we eat finger food; and they look into our faces with their searching eyes. I found this so uncanny; it sent shivers down my spine.
I did some research on these intriguing animals when I got home. Do you know that a gorilla can bend a piece of two inch tempered steel? You definitely don’t want to wrestle a gorilla. He can tear your shoulder off with only one swing of his powerful arm. If he gets hold of your leg, he can rip it away.
I read of gorillas making a bed in the branches of a tree. They were so clever, they tied the limbs together. They even tied a double-over-and-under-twist knot. Some people think they are as intelligent as humans but others who take care of them think otherwise.
Even though a gorilla is strong he still gets into trouble. He can’t think things through like we do. Instead of staying away from hunters sometimes this wild beast will charge at them as though man is a prey to attack. Man’s wisdom, his ability to plan strategy and his skill in using a rifle, gives him the advantage over the gorilla’s strength.
In the same way the Bible says it is better to have wisdom than strength or power. If you have wisdom you know how to handle difficult situations and how to overcome adversities in the same way that the hunter knows how to outsmart the gorilla in laying a trap for him.
The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We are successful when we read and follow God’s directions in His Word for our lives. God is the source of wisdom.
Going Deeper for Parents:
The book of Proverbs is a course of instruction in wisdom, preparation for life, and the ways of life in the world we live. This wisdom is as relevant today as it was in King Solomon’s day. It teaches us the strategy of life. The fear of the Lord, meaning respect and reverence for our Lord, leads us to obey God’s commandments; in obeying them we have wisdom.
