THE WISDOM OF THE RIGHTEOUS
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17).
Notice the word “disobedient” in the verse above; it refers to the negative of being obedient. That’s the original Greek connotation. It means one who can’t be persuaded, one who is headstrong and deliberately chooses to go in the wrong direction, and there’re people like that in life.
Such people are unyielding even when they know the truth. They don’t submit to the Word of God, and the Word of God is the wisdom of God. So, the Bible says their hearts have to be turned to the wisdom of the just. This means that the wisdom of the just is yielding to the Word. The wisdom of the just is persuadable.
Recall what the Bible says about the children of Israel in the Old Testament: they couldn’t enter into God’s rest because of their unpersuadableness. But the wisdom of the just is easily convinced by the Word of God; it willingly and gladly accepts the Word. It’s quick to make adjustments on the basis of the Word.
God wants the hearts of the disobedient to be turned to the wisdom of the just. It’s called “phronesis” (Greek). That’s the highest kind of wisdom; when you’re swayed by the Word and allow it to shape your life and every decision you make. It doesn’t matter how something appears; you only go with what the Word says. You’re living in conformity to the Word. That’s the wisdom of the just. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the wisdom of the just that works in me. My heart is ever open and responsive to your Word. I’m persuaded by your truth and governed by your love. Your wisdom propels me to walk in the paths of righteousness and live daily in alignment with your perfect will, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
James 3:17, Luke 1:17 NIV
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Timothy 2:1-26, Jeremiah 19-22
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 7:45-53, 2 Kings 15-16
