Data is just data, Wisdom is from above

Scripture Read: Esther. Chapter 7:1-4 Now the king and Haman came to drink wine with Esther the queen. ² And the king said to Esther on the second day also as they drank their wine at the banquet, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” ³ Then Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my petition, and my people as my request; ⁴ for we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed and to be annihilated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have remained silent, for the trouble would not be commensurate with the annoyance to the king

Application: Wisdom is a difficult thing to have when needed. Many people seem to think Wisdom is the same thing as knowledge, it is not. Knowledge is the accumulation of data. That is important, but very limited in it’s use because data is not worth much unless you know how to use it. Throughout human history, we have seen the outcome of people who had knowledge but not the wisdom to use it. Often the outcome has been disastrous! It is well stated, “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. Having just enough data to sound like you know what you are doing, but lacking the real tool to accomplish the desired outcome can really hurt a lot of people. I would not want to be in a plane when the pilot had all of the book knowledge of flying, but no real experience. The obvious example would be the Jewish leaders at the time of Christ. Many of these men knew exactly what each scripture stated about the Messiah, but they had no understanding. Although, the idea of slavery should be repulsive to us, we must understand the culture of Esther during her time so we can see the wisdom of her actions . 

Many Kings and rulers could be described as arrogant and selfish. For some, nothing mattered more than they did! It was wise not to try and find out what kind of King you were approaching, a mistake could be a very costly one. It is better to treat all with the honor they expected. Even Nehemiah understood the risk he was taking to show a sad face in front of the King. Also, it shows an understanding of proper cultural protocol to “show honor to whom honor is due”. Esther showed us the wisdom God had granted her for her request. Notice she appeals to the King, as he is the central figure, most important and honored. She showed us how to use timing, and a balance of intellect and integrity. We do not need to lie, or step over that line into sin. True wisdom will never sin, yet it may not always appear to be the truth. Remember Christ after the resurrection. When he asked the two on the road “what things?” He was not lying, but with wisdom He was opening a door for these two to enter into a conversation with Him, as a teacher helping them “discover” what He already knew (Luke 24:13–27) Esther shows the King that because the issue is so dire it was imperative she ask him and bother him to intervene on her behalf. Brilliant! Lord You show throughout Your Word that when we need this wisdom we can ask and it shall be given; Daniel, Joseph, Paul – the list is endless. Grant us the knowledge of James 1:5 and the humility to apply it! Thanks for Your generosity Lord. This kind of wisdom can only come from You Lord.

Meditation Questions: How much do you know? How much of what you know can you use? How much of what you know do you bring before the Lord and ask Him how to apply it? When you seek counsel of how to behave or how to accomplish something, whom do you talk to? Why? What does that show you? When was the last time you experienced knowledge you already possessed applied in a way that you know did not think up yourself?