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The Manifold Wisdom of God

“The Only Wise God”

1 Timothy 1:17

 

He who gives wisdom to the wise is the infinitely wise God. The wisdom of God is unsearchable. Its depth cannot be fathomed. It cannot be traced and found out to perfection (Romans 11:33; Job 11:6-9; 28:12-23). Though it cannot be found out to perfection, there are some glaring, bright, and shining, striking appearances of it which are edifying and comforting to behold.

 

Wise Decrees

The wisdom of God is manifest in his purposes and decrees which are his counsels of old (Isaiah 25:1). Usually, the wisest acts of men are the results of thoughtful deliberation and sober consultation. Therefore, God’s eternal decrees are called “his counsels of old.” God did not need to deliberate or consult with any about what he would do. But his decrees and purposes, being fixed by the highest wisdom, are called his “counsels.”

God, in his infinite understanding of all things, knew from eternity what is best to be done. And by wisdom he decreed it according to the good pleasure of his will. He appointed the end of all things and ordained the best means to accomplish that end. In predestination, he set the proper time for the accomplishment of all things and guarded his purpose against everything that might hinder its accomplishment.

The end for which God ordained all things is his own glory (Proverbs 16:4; Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:3-14). The beneficiaries of God’s purposes and decrees are his own elect, whom he has predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ in everlasting salvation (Ephesians 1:5-6, 11; Romans 9:23; 11:33-36). God’s eternal purpose of grace in election and predestination is revealed for the glorifying of his grace in saving sinners. His purpose, his decree, is sovereign. It is free and unconditional. It is immutable and sure.

In order to accomplish his eternal purpose of grace, God has wisely ordained the time, season, place, and end of all things under the sun (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11, 14, 17).

Though there are many devices formed to overthrow God’s purpose and thwart his decree, they are all vain. God not only disappoints the devices of the crafty, he uses their devices to accomplish his own wise designs (Psalm 76:10). His counsel will stand. And he will do all his pleasure (Isaiah 46:10). The thoughts of his heart, his decrees, shall be performed unto all generations. — Rejoice, O my soul! Our great God not only overthrows, but wisely and sovereignly uses the deeds of the wicked to accomplish his holy pleasure.

 

The Covenant

The wisdom of God is marvellously revealed in the covenant of grace (Hebrews 8:10-12: Jeremiah 31:31-34; 32:37-42). It was wisdom in God that devised such a covenant and moved him to make it, ordered in all things and made sure, for the glory of the divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and for the everlasting salvation of his elect. The covenant of grace is a covenant stored with all the promises and blessings of grace. It is a covenant made with Christ, our Surety. And every blessing of the covenant, as well as every condition of it, was placed in Christ and put upon him (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:9).

 

Creation

God’s wisdom is revealed for all to behold in his wondrous works of creation (Psalms 104:24; 136:3-5; 139:14-17; Proverbs 3:19-20; Jeremiah 10:12).

 

Providence

We behold the wisdom of our great God in his wise and adorable providence, too (Romans 8:28). God’s providential rule is universal in its scope, detailed in its exercise, and saving in its end.

 

Redemption

But, above all else the wisdom of God is revealed in the redemption and salvation of sinners by Christ (Ephesians 1:7-8). Wisdom and prudence are displayed in other works of God. But all wisdom and prudence are displayed in the great works of grace by which we are saved. Behold the wisdom of God in...

  • The Person Appointed to be Our Redeemer — Christ.
  • The Means by which Christ came — The Incarnation.
  • The People God sent His Son to Redeem (Romans 5:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
  • The Method by which Christ Accomplished Our Redemption — Substitution — Blood Atonement.
  • The Method by which Salvation is Brought to Sinners — Irresistible, Effectual, Almighty Grace — By the Preaching of the Gospel!

 

The Gospel

The wisdom of God shines forth brilliantly in the gospel, the good news of salvation by Christ (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:10). Christ is the Gospel; and Christ is the Wisdom of God (Proverbs 8:12-31; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Ephesians 3:8-21).

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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