“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.”
Matthew 10:16-20 KJV,https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.10.16-20.KJV
True Humility and Wisdom
God granted King Solomon, the great King of Israel, wisdom beyond measure. From this, King Solomon penned much of the book of Proverbs, providing insight and knowledge regarding right living before God.
Solomon begins the book of Proverbs with this statement:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7 ESV
He repeats this truth later in the book:
“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”
Proverbs 22:4 ESV
King Solomon had more riches than we can imagine. He was honored among the nations and had a full and prosperous life. We might not be kings, but the truth of this statement is timeless.
Hundreds of years later, Paul wrote a prayer for the Christians in his letter to the Ephesians that can provide context for Proverbs 22:4.
“…the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ...