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Job 28:19 "The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with [wisdom], nor can it be valued in pure gold."

 

Throughout the Bible the value of wisdom is stressed, it is lauded as one of the greatest gifts man can receive (Proverbs 16:16). Wisdom is a divine quality, something that God is, like love. It is spoken of as being with God at creation (Proverbs 8:22-31), and often thought of as the Holy Spirit, as He is the one who gives it when we are ready to receive it.

 

Wisdom and love are closely entwined and, while we cannot buy either, both can be quite expensive. With wisdom, we see the world the way God does, it opens our eyes. It brings us to a whole new level of understanding, one that confounds, frustrates, and often angers the world, but seems utterly perfect and true once we have received the gift. Our "eyes are open all the time", which is wonderful, but can also be quite difficult to deal with in this fallen world.

 

For me at least, wisdom is usually given in small doses (I'm sure I couldn't handle it all at once!). When something is especially on my mind and I bring it to God with complete trust and abandonment, that is usually when I receive a certain amount of wisdom. God will never overwhelm us, and it could be quite overwhelming to receive too much wisdom before we're ready for it, especially because once we truly see and understand the truth, we have to commit to it, even if that means we lose a lot of worldly "goods" or relationships. Wisdom is closely entwined with love; love is willing the good of others and ourselves, and wisdom shows us what that good is, even if it means sacrifice.

 

So that we are not overwhelmed, then, we receive wisdom in the times and the way best suited for our understanding. St. James says if we ask for it with singular mind, and not one torn between God's will and our own, God will surely grant it to us. (James 1:5-8) As with all God's gifts, wisdom is free for the asking, but can be quite expensive. All the best things are.