Revelation, Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom

Anne Bradshaw • January 20, 2023

Knowledge

Revelation leads to Knowledge

Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built,
And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],

And by knowledge its rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

Proverbs 24:3-4

If I am reading the lexicon correctly, the “knowledge” in this verse would take on the meaning: “knowledge of God”. So rooms, life and family are filled with “Knowledge of God.” To see the lexicon entry, click here The knowledge of God is the source of the precious and pleasant riches.

Hmm…. what does this mean? If we take the metaphor to its conclusion, the décor, the furniture, the things we use in house and the way in which we arrange/apply them, both tangibly and spiritually, are there because of knowledge and the way we use it.

But what IS knowledge? According to the verse it is a building material, but not like wood or nails. But the house doesn’t just put itself together, we have to engage with it and be actively involved in what we learn so we can apply it correctly.

The difficulty in most bible studies is that we have one word for something, and Hebrew and Greek languages might use several depending upon what the author is trying to say. The word Praise in Psalms is another word like that. In this case, I counted 15 different Hebrew/Greek words that translate into our word for knowledge. As a result, I would need to seek out the specific verse and the usage of the word in that verse to be sure I was getting the correct meaning. I couldn’t just pick a 21^st century meaning and apply it to all as has been done with the word Praise.

They spell them all out for you and here is the website if you want to do your own investigation. I use Blueletterbible.org for much of my research since it seems to be the most thorough. I will summarize for you here what I discovered, but see for yourself, if you are so inclined:

Knowledge can mean we simply become aware of something, and it is unavoidable. Something flashing across the television or seeing a picture on the iPhone. It’s just there and it can’t be “unseen.”

Another word in scripture indicates a growing knowledge such as child in school becomes aware of the relationship between letters, sounds, sentence structure. They have knowledge of some of the mechanics of reading. That doesn’t necessarily mean they can read. Only when they put the concepts of reading into practice, ask questions, allow correction, can they fully grasp what they know, and apply the knowledge correctly. The knowledge of the individual elements leads to an overall understanding.

And finally, for this discussion, knowledge indicates relationship, a participation in the truth. For example, in the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25), the “goats” never knew Christ. In other words, they had no relationship or connection with Him unlike the sheep whose knowledge of Christ made a difference in how they lived.

Proverbs 1 says the beginning of knowledge is to fear the Lord. Those who do not fear him mock and scoff at the knowledge are considered fools. I think of Matthew 13: 15 also used in Acts 28: 27. Both of these references come from Isaiah 6:10, which says.

For this people's heart is waxed gross (lazy, no desire for more), and their ears are dull of hearing (ignored, refused to listen), and their eyes they have closed (choosing not to see); lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. [NASB, parenthesis mine,]

These verses are describing a people who willfully chose not to know or understand truth. It was true in biblical times, and it is true today and that is their choice. I don’t’ know why people would do this, unless they like the darkness that ignorance offers. If I don’t know I’m doing wrong, than I can keep doing what I want, right? God gives us choice to grow in knowledge and whether to pursue a relationship with Him, the source of Truth. THIS. IS. OUR. CHOICE. And we can cast no blame upon another for the lack of it when the tools (Scripture, Christian Fellowship, Prayer) are within reach and the revelation of something out there bigger than us is present.

Revelation is a kick-start to becoming knowledgeable. We are given certain truths by way of the Spirit, typically through prayer and reading the bible asking for understanding. Once the revelation is given and knowledge is imparted, it is then up to us whether or not we investigate and grow in that knowledge. Since there are no new revelations, and everything revealed to us is in Scripture and is consistent with Scripture in its context. We can use the tools given to us to seek out and learn more about it.

Faith is a revelation that I have been seeking out and gathering knowledge regarding for the past few years. Early on in my Christian life I thought faith was something I “kept.” I had to work at it to have more. I thought if I didn’t feel like I had faith to do something, then I must not have enough faith, or I had failed in some way to keep it safe.

But as I grew in knowledge and understanding I discovered faith doesn’t work like that. It isn’t based on how I feel. Faith is a noun. Hebrews 11 says it is a gift to me and I have all I need. Believing is the verb and it involves our interaction with faith and how we apply it.

In Mark 4 Jesus asks the disciples why they are so fearful and “where is your faith.” I think he was being satirical in this passage. They were choosing fear over faith, not that I blame them, really. Who wouldn’t be a little fearful? What the passage pointed out in addition to the fact that faith is given by God to us and it is His faith within us that we use, is that we cannot be fearful and faith-filled at the same time. This was new knowledge gained for me and something I would not have known had I neglected growing in knowledge that began with a revelation.

God’s goal in all of this is that we destroy the works of evil and live an abundant life. The tools are there. Get to know them.

Blessings and peace to all, may this week kick-start a quest for truth that energizes and encourages with strategy and grace.

Anne

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Get Ready

By Anne Bradshaw • May 29, 2025

Hear His voice, and Go

He Invites Our Participation

By Anne Bradshaw • May 8, 2025

Dear Reader, It has been on my mind this morning the incredible gift we have in Christ to be members of the Family of God, the Church Jesus is building, citizens of the Kingdom, joint heirs with Christ. We are in His Good Care, always. I’m sure you have also had moments when the appreciation for this gift seems to eclipse the momentary business of daily life. I’m sure you would have your insights as well to add. It is from this place that I am sharing today. My husband and I take time each morning to pray together for family, the Church and the nation. Today when we were praying for our nation and for the people of God, we prayed for those who hear His voice that they would choose obedience above the temptations and the insecurities that they may experience. We prayed for Congress, especially, to be focused on good stewardship of the office they are holding and accomplish the pressing needs of the nation rather than simply the “easy” stuff they can agree on. Our prayers were for those who are not being good stewards of the power and influence they have been given, would now make choices according to the Law of the Spirit of Life or be removed from their places of power and influence until they can fulfill their oath of office responsibly and faithfully. It occurred to me amidst the prayer time, that God really doesn’t need our approval to accomplish His plan. He doesn’t need anyone to be obedient. He invites it. He designed the covenantal relationship with us to not be dependent upon us because He is somehow lacking in something we have, rather He includes us because it is His good pleasure. When I say he doesn’t need us, I mean that He is God all by Himself. He doesn’t need anything from us in order to maintain His sovereignty and Grace and accomplish His plan for humanity that is already in the works. When I was young, I used to think that if I stopped believing in God He would simply vanish. It was quite a revelation to realize I was not that powerful and that whether I believed or not, approved or not, was happy, sad, faithful or disobedient, God was still God. He is faithful to His covenant regardless of my momentary lapses or victories. He loved me and wanted me to have the abundant life promised. Then I learned an even greater truth. It’s not about me. Never was. There is no personal plan of God for my life. It isn’t all planned out. He just knows what is in store and prepares me in advance with all the skills and ability I need to enjoy, endure or receive all that is ahead of me. He’s in my corner, but not for my sake… It’s for everyone. It’s for His kingdom, His righteousness working through me so ALL can have an abundant life promised. I just have a small corner in a much bigger purpose in which to work and follow His leading. It’s not about me... I find that incredibly freeing. I can’t make a mistake that messes up His plan. I’m not that powerful. I am free to choose. I am offered leadership and favor according to His good will for me, for all. If the consequences of sin are experienced, it is because sin carries its own punishment. And sometimes that punishment spills over to others. A drunk driver could have an accident and kill other people. The other people didn’t do anything wrong; the evil of alcohol abuse is at fault. But God still cares and is not defined by the accident. He takes care of His people, but that doesn’t mean we don’t experience the fall out of evil in our world. He promises to walk with us through it. He promises His justice. Evil wears out because it “eats its own” just as a wasting disease will “eat” the host until there is nothing left to survive, then the disease also dies with the host it destroyed. This is evil. God never designed our bodies to host wasting diseases. He didn’t design us to sin. We were meant for more. Evil things have been happening behind the scenes of our government for years. It is now being revealed. Pray with us that the evil will not only be brought to light, but that it will also receive the just judgment of God and His righteousness through His people who are even now, building impenetrable cases to process. We pray for them. We must keep the courts in our prayers that the just judgments of God would be able to work successfully. We must not be discouraged when judges make rulings that are prejudiced, excessive, biased and unfair. Why? Because our hope is in the Lord who is above all and sees all and is faithful to His Covenant with those who believe. God always wins. Those who confront the evil of death, doubt and despair, are not forgotten. The mothers and fathers who lost children to fentanyl, brought in and distributed illegally in our nation, are not forgotten. The people struggling to pay debts, to provide for family and be good stewards are not forgotten. What is needed is for the Church Jesus is building to realize the power of her voice among the nations to make a difference; speak forth the will of God, His one Will, His Just Judgments. What we have currently is a church that is praying in a dozen or more different directions. Because God has Chosen to work through us, is it not important that we steward that responsibility corporately with accuracy rather than personally? Is it a surprise that personal agendas are most likely not God’s agenda? If it is the Church’s mandate to push back darkness and administrate the principles of the Kingdom of God upon the earth, is it any wonder evil has gotten a foothold when we are so busy looking after “me, myself, and I” our own local church food banks and Sunday morning services rather than speaking as one with the whole church against the evil that is even making the food banks necessary? Here's a thought: Maybe those who run the food banks (for example) wonder what purpose they would have if the food banks were not necessary? (just a thought) Would they pray to end the need for something in which they are finding fulfillment? Could the concern for fulfillment, validation, and significance apply to any other Church-run organization made necessary because of the works of evil? I wonder, how many have read Matthew 23 lately? Maybe it isn't that. Maybe the sincere concern for others cannot see past the momentary need to the corporate power of the Faith of God and the one Church Jesus is building to confront the evil source and heal the root of the need. Something to think about, anyway... Grace and peace, my friends. Anne