Wisdom is He

Wisdom is He.

This statement stumbles grammatically, but it speaks of revelation that human wisdom cannot achieve or understand. Human-developed artificial intelligence generates this evaluation of the statement: “The phrase ‘wisdom is he’ is not grammatically correct in modern English. ‘Wisdom’ is an abstract noun, not a person, so it cannot serve as the subject of a sentence in this way. The correct pronoun . . . is ‘it.’”

However, the Old Testament and its related writings shaped the Hebrew community’s imagination of wisdom personified. Wisdom appears before creation, by the Creator’s side, and works with Him (see Proverbs 8:22–31). Wisdom keeps, guards, exalts, honors, and is life for those who love and prize her (Prov. 4:4–13). Wisdom invites seekers to come to her, carry her yoke, and receive the rest she gives (Sirach 6:23–31; see also 24:19–21; 51:23–27).

The imagination of wisdom meets its incarnation when the Word who was in the beginning, was with God, was God—became flesh and pitched His tent among us (John 1:1,14). Unlike seekers and teachers in Israel’s history, Jesus did not invite people to come to wisdom, carry her yoke, or receive her rest. Rather, He said:

  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take

  My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and

  you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

  (Matthew 11:28–30, LSB, emphasis added)

Wisdom is He.

A stumbling block and foolishness to many, “but to those who are the called . . . Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18–25).

Let’s continue to learn from Him together. There is much learning, counsel, and intelligence in the world, but much of it does not come to wisdom. Wisdom is He, who says to us: Come to Me . . . take My yoke . . . learn from Me (Matthew 11:28–30).