Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? –1 Corinthians 1:20.
Perhaps some of us may stumble at the thought that there is a type of wisdom which is antagonistic to virtue, but the Scriptures affirm it to be so. While wisdom is highly esteemed and exalted throughout the proverbs of Solomon and, indeed, other inspired writers as well, we must honestly look at such an accumulation of intricate understanding and concur that wisdom, of itself, is amoral.
Wisdom is the understanding of how to accomplish our ends, whatever those ends may be. They may be temporal or spiritual—good or evil. Such wisdom is built upon a deep understanding of human nature, of the nature of plants and animals, and of the forces of nature. It is ultimately a thorough acquaintance with cause and effect. The man who sits on the back of his stubborn mule and kicks, spurs, beats, and curses the beast has little wisdom. Despite all his animated and frustrating endeavors, the animal remains unmoved. Wisdom ties the carrot on a stick and holds it in front of the beast’s nose. As the mule moves toward the treasure, the carrot moves with him. Such is the manner of wisdom.
We live in an era that has placed a premium on education. There are those with capacity to accumulate a wealth of knowledge but have little wisdom. I have a neighbor who earned a degree in Environmental Ethics. I asked him what sort of a job he is qualified to do with his study. He stated that there was no practical use for his schooling but that the only job he could do in the field is teach Environmental Ethics. This is not wisdom but knowledge (if it can even be considered that). Wisdom is the possessing of a practical application of knowledge. It consists of knowing how men or things will respond to the influences placed upon them and how to rectify those forces to accomplish the goal.
All wisdom comes from God and is released to man at His dispensing. Still there are men who can apprehend wisdom without the character to use it for His glory. Such was the character of Ahithophel. And such is the case of many scholarly believers today who give themselves to the accumulation of wisdom but fail to surrender their prideful will unto God.
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. II Samuel 16:23 This is a remarkable statement concerning this man. He possessed understanding far beyond many godly men. He bore this wisdom in such an astonishing manner that the words he spoke tumbled forth consistently as an oracle of God. Such a man cannot be ignored, and thus, Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: I Chronicles 27:33 David stood in need of such wisdom in order to rule the people of God and fight the battles of the Lord, and he had sense and humility enough to use it. Those wise in their own conceit go on their way disdaining to ask counsel of any man wiser than themselves, in obvious denial that such a person exists. The hyper-spiritual individuals spurn to ask counsel of men, declaring that the Lord is quite sufficient for them. The pharisaical are quick to cite the deficiencies in those such as Ahithophel that disqualifies their counsel from their consideration. But the wise and the spiritual ask counsel and are glad to avail themselves a drink from the fountain of the wise. Therefore, David raised this man to the highest platform of honor and usefulness.
But just as godly men are not always wise, even so wise men are not always godly. It is here that we read of an amazing detail about this man. So was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. II Samuel 16:23 What sort of man can stand with both David and Absalom? What character could lend his wisdom to the designs and intentions of both men? Daniel faithfully served four heathen kings to his credit. However, to aid Absalom in usurping the throne by ousting the Lord’s anointed, dishonoring his father, and defiling his bed required hardness of heart that rivals that of Judas Iscariot. Surely Ahithophel was as destitute of solid character as he was rich in wisdom. Thus, we must solemnly conclude that wisdom is not the sole property of the godly. Neither is it, of itself, spiritual.
The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. Luke 16:8 Wisdom is the understanding which gives us the capacity to accomplish our end, and the world has mastered it in things pertaining to its kingdom. Sports, entertainment, commerce, education, technology, religion, and global ideology have all benefited from man’s application of God’s wisdom. The devil knows how to accomplish his ends and how to bring the whole world to his feet worshiping the beast and the false prophet. We do well to examine the pitfalls of Ahithophel as the epitome of a foolish wise man, for this wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. James 3:15 While it may appear that I am confusing the source of this wisdom, it seems to me that God is the original propagator of all wisdom. Every man that attains unto securing a morsel of it, while maintaining an unholy agenda will use God’s wisdom for his sinister purposes and thus ministers it from below. Such was the wisdom of Ahithophel as he freely interspersed the oracles of God with that which was …
…Earthly
The secularization of godly principles is nothing new. In the Book of Genesis, when the sons of God intermarried with the daughters of men, they produced a hybrid giant in the land. Those who should have had a heavenly agenda cast it aside for an earthly one. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. II Samuel 15:12 He was obviously not void of scriptural principles, but when the summons arrived to participate in the conspiracy, he consented, unabashedly offering sacrifices to God and wisdom to Absalom. An ounce of loyalty, gratitude, righteousness, or the fear of the Lord would have demanded him to reject the invitation. But popular sentiment ran strong with the new candidate, for the people increased continually with Absalom. II Samuel 15:12
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Psalm 55:12-14 How painful it was for David to stand by and watch this treachery unfold. It was not just the surrender of his earthly throne. That he would have relinquished gladly. It was the pain of watching those loved and trusted individuals barter away eternal principles for earthly pursuits.
Herein lies the bane of the earthly mind. It cares little about the opinion of God, His Word, or His people. These will cast their lot and energies to the present and popular fashions of the day no matter how ridiculous they appear. He that dispensed wisdom yesterday as the oracle of God to establish the purposes of the kingdom, shall today dispense that same wisdom to overturn it. Why? Did David offend him? Did David change? No, David did not change, but his circumstances did. Ahithophel cared nothing about loyalty and truth, it was personal advantage that concerned him. And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. II Samuel 15:13 We may rest assured that a messenger came with the same tidings to Ahithophel. While David is seated solidly upon the throne, so Ahithophel sits with him. When David is cast off, Ahithophel casts him off as well.
So, today, our churches are full of similar secular wisdom. We know what it takes to attract large and growing churches. Godly principles are abandoned in lieu of worldly entertainment that has captivated the hearts of men. Out with the old, solid music, modest dress, simplicity, and honor for the elders. Traditions are removed just because they are old. Sober preaching must be exchanged for a lighter, more positive message. This is wisdom … but not from above.
…Sensual
Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. II Samuel 16:20, 21 This is good counsel – well adapted, that is, to establish the purpose of Absalom. Morally, it is wicked, but it will work well to its purpose. Ahithophel understands the nature of people and situations. As Absalom makes himself as odious as possible to his father, the breach becomes unrepairable and there is no middle ground. A militant army does the same. Once the sides are securely drawn, Ahithophel preaches courage, decision, and action.
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: and I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: and I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. II Samuel 17:1-4 Defeat David while he is discouraged and before he has time to recover from the shock of the events. This is prodigious wisdom that is utterly despicable and void of character. Instead, it feeds the ego and is fueled by the driving challenge, the sense of accomplishment, and the proving of his personal worth. People will climb mountains and perform the impossible, not because they are void of wisdom but because they are sensual. They do it to fulfill a passion burning within them, and they use all the wisdom of this world’s strategy to accomplish it.
…Devilish
While worldly wisdom has its strengths, it has its pitfalls as well, for it is rooted deeply in shortsighted pride. If the princes of this world would have known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. I Corinthians 2:8 But Hushai knows this and thus he valiantly sets foot in Absalom’s court in attempt to befuddle the scene. He offers a grander scheme with the promise of a future ultimate and glorious victory with Absalom at the wheel … along with a slight delay.
And Hushai said unto Absalom ... I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. II Samuel 17:11-13 This appealed strongly to the pride of the rebellion and lured them into the net of their own undoing. He who can give good counsel is capable of recognizing bad. This was bad counsel and Ahithophel understood this well. Had he cared an ounce for the welfare of Absalom’s person, he would have pitied and pleaded with the infatuated upstart. Humility would have entreated and expostulated to save the deluded novice from his impending fate. But he cared nothing for the fate of King David, nor his son. His own honor was his god. Until now, he was regarded as the man whose words were as the oracles of God and he reigned supreme in that sphere. But his pride could not bear the rejection of his wisdom. And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. II Samuel 17:23
Thus, does the pride that accompanies worldly wisdom carry men headlong to destruction. Fire in the heart brings smoke to the head. Though he departs not from this life in a fit of rage, it is his utter disgust at the folly of such simple dolts and their ill rejection of his superiority that he deliberately and calmly chooses to exit this life. Here is the acme of a foolish wise man. What a grand mistake it is to admire a man on the basis of his keen mind or to suppose him good because he is wise. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Let him first bow low before the counsels of God, then come and impart wisdom.
