88 So endow us graciously from Yourself

So endow us graciously from Yourself with wisdom, insight and discernment.

Most Nazarene Israelites are familiar with the fourth blessing of the Amidah (the standing prayer), the Shemoni Esre – the first of the petitionary part of the prayer, as follows: ‘You graciously endow man with wisdom and teach insight to frail mortals. So endow us graciously from Yourself with wisdom, insight and discernment. Blessed are You O YHVH, gracious giver of wisdom.’ It is only normal that we should start the petitionary part of our prayer with a plea for YHVH to give us wisdom, understanding and knowledge, since our faith is based on (1) knowledge of the truth (the word of Elohim), (2) trusting in the promises given us by Elohim in His word, (3) so much so that we obey His teachings - understanding knowledge of truth, results in us having wisdom to trust in the promises of Elohim, in order to obey Him fully.

We need to understand that wisdom, understanding and knowledge are all gifts from YHVH. When we are called out of the religions of the world, where we were all given hope in a false salvation, we were totally unaware of the true gospel proclaimed throughout the Tanach, but also in the Renewed Covenant about the coming Kingdom of Elohim. When we are called, the very first thing we get to understand is about Elohim’s intention to come and establish His kingdom on earth as it is now in heaven. That immediately puts an end to the false teaching that good people go to heaven at death, whilst the wicked will be thrown into the lake of fire to burn eternally. Since Rav Yaa’cov was like his half-brother Yahshua, a Jew and was no doubt familiar with the Amidah, when he wrote in James 1: 1 – 10, saying: ‘Yaa’cov, a bond-servant of Elohim and the Master Yahshua Messiah, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings.’ (This is as we can see written to us who are dispersed into the nations of the world.) (2) Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (this verse tells us to count it all joy when we fall into various trials – it is difficult to understand, so we see from the start, we will need wisdom, understanding and knowledge to deal with the problems we are presently, but will more so in the future encounter in our lives. Yes, it is going to become very difficult, compared to what we had in the past. We need to start looking at things from Elohim’s perspective and His overall purpose and plan for our lives. Because we do not see things from His perspective and see them in the subjectivity of our little frame of mind, we do not always understand how our lives can make a change for eternity. Consider for a moment our fathers in the faith and how the events and decisions in their lives affected the lives of all their descendants for good. We see for example that the joining of Judah and his daughter in law Tamar, actually brought about someone in the lineage of Yahshua the Messiah), (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (4) And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (The purpose of our trials is to bring about endurance or patience, in order to make us complete and happy in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves in, in the future. YHVH is in fact busy perfecting us, and shaping us in conformance with the image of Yahshua His Son, so that we may become His children at the return of Messiah. As human beings we are aware that growth always hurts.) (5) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.’

Rav Yaa’cov begins exactly like we do in the Amidah, since this prayer had been handed down through the Oral tradition, and he was familiar with this blessing and knew that the first petition an Israelite should ask of Elohim, is for wisdom (and understanding and knowledge), and adds that we should ask, believing that YHVH will give it to us, in verse 6, saying: ‘But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (7) For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from YHVH, (8) being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (9) But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position; (10) and let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.’ It is unfortunate that the NASB uses the word faith, but belief is a verb - an action word. That means that in asking for wisdom from Elohim it will result in the right actions. Since belief is a verb, it means because of a truth that has been revealed to us, and in understanding the knowledge that we have from Elohim’s wisdom, which is Torah, that our actions will be according to His will. So we need to ask in belief, understanding everything that takes place in our lives is the will of Elohim, because in that He is bringing about perfection into our lives. However, in the religious circles of the world, this is not popular, since they are always busy binding and loosing the devil, which is not even what the verses using these phrases (in Matthew 16: 19 and Isaiah 8: 16) are talking about; and as a result they blame Satan if anything bad happens to them, not understanding that even he is under constraints by YHVH, as may be understood from reading the book of Job. The point is that we should ask in belief not doubting, because if you doubt, you are a double-minded person, unstable in all your ways. We also need to understand that the wisdom Rav Yaa’cov is talking about is the wisdom that comes from Elohim – He is actually sharing His mind with us, because He wants to bring perfection into our lives. Spiritual wisdom is a product of spiritual receptivity – we need to open our minds to receive that wisdom from Elohim. It is for that reason that it is the first petition and because we ask Him, we are blessing Him and thanking Him for giving wisdom to His people.

Let’s learn from the way King Solomon approached YHVH in 1st Kings 3: 6 & 7, as follows: ‘Then Solomon said, “Thou hast shown great lovingkindness to Thy servant David my father, according as he walked before Thee in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward Thee; and Thou hast reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. (7) And now, O YHVH my Elohim, Thou hast made Thy servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.”’ We whom YHVH has called out of the religions of the world should all approach Elohim’s throne like little children, since we truly did not know how to go out or come in. Sometimes, especially in times of crises such as taking place in the Promised Land, where terrorists are trying to destroy all our Jewish Brothers achieved by making the deserts bloom with great Help and guidance from our heavenly Father, or where Israelites in South Africa can see everything falling to pieces, yet are not allowed to do much about it, since we and our children are prohibited from getting proper Jobs to make a change to our dire situation. We continue reading from 1st Kings 3: 8 – 15, King Solomon saying: “And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people which Thou hast chosen, a great people who cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. (9) So give Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Thine?” (Solomon approaches YHVH our Elohim in the humility of a child, but asks YHVH to give him wisdom to be able to discern – understand the difference between good and evil.) (10) ‘And it was pleasing in the sight of Adonai that Solomon had asked this thing. (11) And Elohim said to him, “because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, (12) behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. (13) And I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. (14) And if you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.” (15) Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of Adonai, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.’

Then immediately after his dream, YHVH showed Solomon that His dream was in fact real in 1st Kings 3: 16 – 28, when two harlots came to him, one who accidently suffocated her baby whilst sleeping next to him, and whilst the second was sleeping she exchanged her dead baby for the second woman’s living baby. When the second woman awoke, she saw the strange dead baby next to her and her baby in the arms of the other woman, and realized what happened. But, since both babies were new born and since at that age they change almost daily, it was difficult to prove that the living baby was hers. So they took the matter to King Solomon to resolve. Both claimed the dead child belonged to the other and the living baby belong to them, and since neither of the children had any identifying marks or clothing, it was difficult to determine who the real mother of the living baby was. So in his wisdom, King Solomon suggested to the two women that they saw the baby in two, so that each one may get a part of the child. The king cleverly waited for their response, since that would clearly identify the real mother. The woman whose child it was immediately spoke to the king in verse 26, saying: “Oh, my master, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!” We read the rest of the account from verses 27 & 28, as follows: ‘Then the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.” (28) When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king; for they saw that the wisdom of Elohim was in him to administer justice.’ Knowledge transliterated in Hebrew as ‘da’at’ is actually the capacity for evaluation and discernment. Remember in 1st Corinthians 2, the gift of a discerning Spirit is one of the gifts of the Set-apart Spirit! It is the Spirit that YHVH gives us to understand knowledge of the truth, given us in His Word, the Scriptures.

Understanding transliterated as ‘binah’ in Hebrew, is the ability to discern between different things. Wisdom transliterated in Hebrew as ‘chokmah’, means to be skillful or cunning. It is derived from the Hebrew word ‘chakam’, meaning to be full of wisdom in mind, word and action, and be skillful in all that. We see the first thing that YHVH put within reach of Adam was the Tree of Life – His wisdom or Torah, but also the tree of knowledge of good and evil, as recorded in Genesis 2: 9, in this way: ‘And out of the ground YHVH Elohim caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.’ It is important to understand that the Tree of Life is Elohim’s wisdom – or Torah that He placed in the midst of Adam’s dwelling place, allowing him access to eternal life from the start. This gave Adam a chance to have enough wisdom to understand the difference between good and evil, anyway, but Elohim also gave him freedom of choice telling him about the second tree, the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which He also placed in the midst of the garden, but which was forbidden for him, since eating of it, would cause him and his descendants after him to die. In fact man could eat of any of the trees in the garden, except for the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam could eat from the Tree of Life right from the start, but did not, until Satan deceived the woman YHVH gave Adam as his wife, and she also gave to Adam and knowing he should not, he also ate and sinned. Satan used the three ways on Eve that he is still using to deceive us today, namely: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride of life, as witnessed in Genesis 3: 4 - 6 , saying to her: “You surely shall not die! (5) For Elohim knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” (6) ‘When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.’

Next we turn to the book of Exodus where YHVH informs Moses about the special abilities he gave two men to help Moses in constructing the Temple of Elohim in Exodus 31: 1 – 5, in this way: ‘Now YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, (2) “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. (3) And I have filled him with the Spirit of Elohim in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, (4) to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, (5) and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship.”’ Elohim’s Spirit working in the mind (or spirit) of Bezalel endowed him with wisdom, understanding and knowledge to perform all sorts of special work in the interior design of the temple of Elohim. The name Bezalel transliterated in Hebrew means ‘the shadow of El’. Bezalel was the son of Uri which transliterated in Hebrew means ‘my light’ – so Bezalel the shadow of El was the son of my light. Bezalel therefore reminds us of Yahshua our Messiah, who is ‘the image of Elohim’ (as per Colossians 1: 15) the Son of Elohim, who is according to first John 1: 5 ‘light’ and who is presently busy building the temple of Elohim, using us as building blocks, as Rav Kepha who understood what Yahshua meant in Matthew 16: 18, saying in 1st Peter 2: 5: ‘You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Elohim through Yahshua Messiah.’

We read more about wisdom, knowledge and understanding from Proverbs 2: 1 – 3, as follows: ‘My son, if you will receive my sayings, and treasure my commandments within you, (2) make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; (3) for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding.’ This was what King Solomon asked YHVH to give him, when He told him to ask whatever he desires as recorded in first Kings 3: 9 (quoted earlier). Solomon continues in Proverbs 2: 4 - 6, saying: ‘If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; (5) then you will discern the fear of YHVH, and discover the knowledge of Elohim. (6) For YHVH gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.’ He wrote further in verses 7 – 22, saying: ‘He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity. (8) Guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. (9) Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course. (10) For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; (11) discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you. (12) To deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; (13) from those who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; (14) who delight in doing evil, and rejoice in the perversity of evil; (15) whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways; (16) to deliver you from the strange (non-Israelite) woman, from the adulteress who flatters with her words; (17) that leaves the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her Elohim; (18) for her house sinks down to death, and her tracks lead to the dead; (19) none who go to her return again, nor do they reach the paths of life. (20) So you will walk in the way of good men, and keep to the paths of the righteous. (21) For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; (22) but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted from it.’ Solomon tells us that wisdom, understanding and knowledge from Elohim will keep us on the right paths and lead us away from perverse people, but most of all, from the harlot.

But who or what is this harlot that the book of Proverbs is referring to? We see the answer in Revelation 17: 1 – 5, as follows: ‘And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I shall show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, (2) with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.” (3) And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. (4) And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality, (5) and upon her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”’ If we seek the wisdom, knowledge and understanding from YHVH and study is Torah,TorahT

Torah, it will definitely keep us from the harlot or false churches of the world, since they teach that Torah is the curse that J*e*s*u*s redeemed them from. Elohim’s true congregation teaches that the blessings of the Law are as recorded in Deuteronomy 28, together with the curses and when Yahshua became the sacrifice, he did away with the sacrificial requirements of the law in respect of sin. Nevertheless, even though YHVH does not require sin offerings any longer, righteous sacrifices will again be offered during the millennium, as witnessed in Psalm 51: 16 – 19, in this way: “For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. (17) The sacrifices of Elohim are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O Elohim, Thou wilt not despise. (18) By Thy favor do good to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. (19) Then Thou wilt delight in righteous sacrifices, in burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then young bulls will be offered on Thine altar.” Messiah has become the Sacrifice required by the law to pay our indebtedness for transgressing Elohim’s Torah, as recorded in Colossians 2: 14, in this way: ‘having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.’ This does not say that Yahshua nailed the law to the cross, but that He nailed our certificate of debt for breaking the law to the cross – meaning He has redeemed us from having to die the second death for our own sins, provided we repent and start obeying Elohim’s teachings in future.

To fully understand the importance of wisdom, understanding and knowledge, let’s go back to the book of Proverbs, where King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 9: 10, saying: ‘The fear of YHVH is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’ If Eve feared YHVH; if she respected His word, she would already have had the wisdom not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Similarly, if King Solomon feared YHVH enough, he would have obeyed Him and not take so many wives which resulted in idolatry and the split in the kingdom of Israel, leaving us as the lost ten tribes of the house of Israel in the situation we are in today. But, it is all water under the bridge and thanks to Elohim’s wonderful love for us His people, He has sent Yahshua to reconcile us back to Him, but also to Brother Judah. Continuing with this theme we read from Proverbs 15: 14, ‘The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.’ It is by reading from Colossians 1: 9 & 10, that we understand that Rav Shaul, a Jew like King Solomon, also knew about this blessing in the Amidah, when he spoke to the brethren in Colossae, saying: ‘For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (10) so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Master, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim.’ Continuing in Colossians 1 we read about Yahshua’s reconciling work from verses 21 – 23, as follows: ‘And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, (22) yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—(23) If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Shaul, was made a minister.’ But, we also read about Elohim’s mystery from verses 25 - 27 and Colossians 2: 2 & 3, in this way: ‘Of this congregation I was made a minister according to the stewardship from Elohim bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of Elohim, (26) that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints, (27) to whom Elohim willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory. (2: 2) That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of Elohim’s mystery, that is, Messiah Himself, (3) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’ But how could all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge be hidden in Messiah? Because Messiah, being the living word of Elohim, is also the embodiment of all wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

The Psalmist shows us in Psalm 119 that we need understanding to be able to keep Elohim’s commandments, as witnessed in verses 34, 73 and 98, as follows: ‘Give me understanding, that I may observe Thy Law, and keep it with all my heart. (73) Thy hands made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments. (98) Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine.’ It truly requires understanding to realize that Elohim’s commandments are for our good! The mystery that Elohim created the universe by Yahshua in whom are the hidden treasures of wisdom, knowledge and understanding is confirmed in Proverbs 3: 19 & 20, in this way: ‘YHVH by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. (20) By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drip with dew.’ Elohim’s word contains wisdom, understanding and knowledge – therefore when He looked into His word, the blueprint of all creation, He created His dwelling place on earth. That is the whole purpose of creation – when YHVH created Adam in His image and likeness, His purpose was to build a dwelling place for Him on earth, in Adam. Over time He intended to fill man with wisdom, knowledge and understanding that would give him eternal life. But, Adam and Eve preferred to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, instead of the tree of (eternal) life. As a result they doomed themselves to death and had to leave the Garden of Eden and start fending for themselves.

Later when YHVH again decided to build the tabernacle in the wilderness as a dwelling place for Him on earth, He filled Bezalel with wisdom, knowledge and understanding thus empowering him to build a dwelling place for Him. A shadow is a reflection of you on the ground, it looks like you, but it is not really you. Therefore the shadow of El looked like El, but was not Elohim. We see the reason for Elohim to fill Bezalel with wisdom, knowledge and understanding is to ‘make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings.’ Similarly to Bezalel we read about Yahshua from Isaiah 11: 1 & 2 in this way: ‘Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. (2) And the Spirit of YHVH will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of YHVH.’ We read further bout Messiah in Zechariah 6: 12 & 13: “Then say to him, ‘Thus says YHVH of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of YHVH. (13) Yes, it is He who will build the temple of YHVH, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” Continuing in Colossians 1: 15 – 17, we read about Yahshua: ‘And He is the image of the invisible Elohim (the one who came to show Elohim to us), the first-born of all creation. (16) For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. (17) And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (18) He is also head of the body, the congregation; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.’ Messiah the Son of Man has already qualified when He was born-again as the Son of Elohim at His resurrection (as we are told in Romans 1: 4). He willingly gave His life to redeem the piece of the Promised Land we as a remnant of the lost ten tribes lost, because of idolatry, to reconcile us back to the Father by paying the penalty for our past sins, but also to be able to remarry His bride the congregation of the first-born enrolled in the book of life in heaven, when He returns. However, He also had to go away, so that the Set-apart Spirit could come to indwell those of us whom the Father called out of this world, after immersion in Messiah’s saving name and the laying on of hands by the elders in the congregation. Ever since Messiah’s ascension to heaven, those called out of the world by YHVH who have been immersed, and are being taught in the congregation of first-fruit believers by those who came before them, to equip them for the work of service, to build up the body of Messiah, until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of Elohim, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Messiah (as paraphrased in Ephesians 4: 12 & 13).

A summary of this process is given in Ephesians 2: 11 – 14, 19 – 22, in this way: ‘Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Un-circumcision” by the so-called ‘Circumcision,’ which is performed in the flesh by human hands— (12) remember that you were at that time separate from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world. (13) But now in Messiah Yahshua you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. (14) For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. (19) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of Elohim’s household, (20) having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Messiah Yahshua Himself being the corner stone, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Master; (22) in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of Elohim in the Spirit.’ It is for this reason that having wisdom, understanding and knowledge is so important, since it gives us as individuals the ability as living stones to make a dwelling place for Elohim in us, upon the earth. Not only as individuals, but more so as a congregation of called-out believers.

In the beginning there were two kinds of wisdom available to man, and in a similar way Rav Yaa’cov warns in James 3: 13 -17, saying: ‘Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. (14) But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. (15) This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. (16) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (17) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. (18) And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.’ It is important to notice that wisdom and understanding is connected to works and behavior. Wisdom and understanding gives us the ability to discern and is connected to our behavior. We see from verse 16 above that jealousy and self-seeking result in confusion and every foul deed. Because wisdom, understanding and knowledge bring stability and order, we need to strive to obtain the right wisdom in our lives. If we partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, by leaning on our own understanding, we are heading the wrong way. On the contrary if we are seeking for wisdom, knowledge and understanding from Elohim’s word and those who teach only from His word, we will be known by the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Let’s also consider what Yahshua our Messiah taught about the fruit we bear in Matthew 7: 15 – 27, saying: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (16) You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? (17) Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) So then, you will know them by their fruits. (21) Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Master, Master, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ (23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ (24) ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock (Messiah the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of Elohim). (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. (26) And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. (27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house and it fell, and great was its fall.”

Finally, we read from the parable Yahshua taught about the 10 virgins (the remnant from the lost ten tribes called out of the world) in Matthew 25: five are wise and five are foolish. The five wise virgins make sure that they have enough oil indicative of their Scriptural Study and lifestyle, during which they acquire ample wisdom, understanding and knowledge about Elohim and His way and practice the same, whilst the foolish virgins are not that diligent in getting to know all they can about Elohim and His way – they are simply cruising along. We read the end result from verses 5 – 12, as follows: “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. (6) But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ (7) Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. (8) And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ (9) But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ (10) And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. (11) And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Master, Master, open up for us.’ (12) But He answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’” This is clearly a warning to us to wake up, to regularly study Torah to obtain wisdom, knowledge and understanding and to apply it in our everyday lives, if we want to be part of the five wise virgins ready to marry our bridegroom at His return! Think about it!