Expert or Apprentice?

Solomon wrote about wisdom...again and again and again:

For wisdom will enter your heart,
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
--Proverbs 2:10

This statement indicates a result. It gives the very clear indication of transformation. Transformation is not about possessing wisdom as if to suggest that at one time a person did not have wisdom and then suddenly did. Rather, the contrast is in the person who has wisdom, but will later possess it in their heart. They possess knowledge now, but it will be pleasant to their soul. The transformation is from merely possessing wisdom to internalizing that wisdom into one's heart.

Consider an illustration: The difference between an expert and an apprentice is the transformation from possessing knowledge and skill to that knowledge and skill becoming a natural part of the individual. An apprentice, though successful, will have to stop and think at times. He may struggle through tasks. The expert performs a task effortlessly, seemingly with no thought, as if he was born with the knowledge and skill.

Knowledge and skill are embedded deep within the expert so that an onlooker might describe it as “second nature.” Yet, knowledge and skill become second nature only after years of careful observation and experience.

What about wisdom and knowledge?

Before thinking about our ‘efforts’ we would do well to recognize the source of wisdom and knowledge as described earlier in Proverbs 2:

For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.
--Proverbs 2:6-7

God’s wisdom and understanding are not for just anyone. It is not by breadth of experience, depth of study, or sheer strength of will that a person attains wisdom. God is the source. He gives, and He gives to the upright.

Yet, a person does play a part. After all, God does not simply pour his wisdom into a person’s head while he sleeps. Consider our part in attaining the wisdom offered by God based on Proverbs 2:

• Receive my sayings (v. 1);
• Treasure my commandments (v. 1);
• Make your ear attentive (v. 2);
• Incline your heart (v. 2);
• Cry for (v. 3);
• Lift your voice for (v. 3);
• Seek as for silver (v. 4);
• Search as for hidden treasure (v. 4).

God offers true wisdom. We prepare ourselves by being upright. Then we must pursue wisdom in God's holy word. The result is the difference between being a mere apprentice and being an expert.

For wisdom will enter your heart,
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Mark Stinnett

Revised 02/16/2024

(First published on 8/28/2016)