Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 18:13-27. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+18&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. Now when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?” Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”
So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” Exodus 18:13-27.
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As the Scripture quoted below teaches us, there are two wisdoms. There is wisdom from below, and there is wisdom from above. The qualities of each wisdom are detailed below.
But, let us consider and use the specific example presented by Scripture today.
Those who have wisdom from below think they are wise by holding on to power and not delegating responsibility, because they are motived by pride, selfish ambition, and they want all the attention and honor. In summary, they are motivated by wisdom from below.
But, those who have wisdom from above think they are wise by delegating responsibility to “able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain”, because they are motivated by humility, gentleness, and reasonableness. In summary, they are motivated by wisdom from above.
As another example, we read of wisdom from above in Scripture used in the appointment of elders such as in Titus chapter 1.
So, here are the qualities of each wisdom.
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:13-17.
But, there is hope!
Christ is our wisdom from above.
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
“For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? BUT WE HAVE THE MIND OF THE CHRIST.” 1 Corinthians 2:16.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 