* Wisdom is the marriage of knowledge (that which is true) with understanding.

* The way the two hook up is through experience (your own or someone else’s).

* It’s like a bow tie - experience is the knot that binds the two loops into one.

* But for it to be true wisdom, it has to be exercised.

* I knew how tall the Empire State building was, but I understood it when I visited there.

* I now had wisdom, so long as I didn’t climb the fence to get to the other side!

* KEY (vs 7) - To get wisdom, it begins with the fear of God. (Prov 9:10)

* Why?

* Because becoming wise always begins with a person.

* When my kids were young they didn’t know why they shouldn’t do something - they just knew me and had to learn to trust me.

* In time they are coming to realize the wisdom of my instruction.

* But it began with a proper fear of me as dad.

* Notice these two verses: vs 23 & 33 - the focus is on God - He will teach you wisdom.

* the verses in between these two are all about a person who refuses to listen to God.

* Proverbs 2:1-5 - it’s in the search that you understand the fear of the Lord.

* When we fear God we grow in knowledge and understanding - this makes us wise!

* Just like the men of Issachar who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.

* True Wisdom - having the mind of Christ.