Wisdom versus Evil

This week at Men's Bible Study of Job included chapters 27 and 28, where Job clings to integrity and the certainty that he has done nothing to offend God's Ways; but if he has done, that God will let Job know. And not by the speculations and rationalizations of friends and family casting around doubts and curses. The reading ends with the passage about 'Fear [i.e. awe] of God is the beginning of Wisdom; and shunning that relationship is the way leading to evil.' In other words, WISE means in turn, in line, or on the God Way - the path or road of God. Unwise veers or strays off that path and leads to evil. Elsewhere the idea is that 'evil' is when something is out of place, not ripe [e.g. fruit], out of sequence [disorder; discord or out of tune]. So, whether righteousness is defined by sticking to the God Route or it is defined by NOT going off the God Route, the destination is the same. Wisdom is not secret knowledge or hidden truth [Gnosticism], but instead is a path to follow; not a destination to achieve but a direction to head toward.

Etymology of 'wisdom' for English, https://www.etymonline.com/word/wisdom

The word is related to the source of Old English witan "to know, be aware of" (see wit (v.)). In Middle English also used in reference to a trade or craft, to warfare; an animal good at tracking by scent was wise of nese. Germanic cognates include Old Saxon, Old Frisian wis, Old Norse viss, Dutch wijs, German weise "wise."

On a related note, the teaching that "God is Love" seems connected to "Wisdom means being/going God's Way" and "Fear [awe] of God is the start of wisdom." Therefore, God is love, but to be in God's Way [Wise] calls one to be in awe [childlike wonder and trusting way to go out into the World]. So we need to focus on abundant, self-donating love while also stepping out into the world aware of awe and wonder all around.

Etymology of 'wisdom' for English, https://www.etymonline.com/word/awe

c. 1300, aue, "fear, terror, great reverence," earlier aghe, c. 1200, from a Scandinavian source, such as Old Norse agi "fright;" from Proto-Germanic *agiz- (source also of Old English ege "fear," Old High German agiso "fright, terror," Gothic agis "fear, anguish"), from PIE *agh-es- (source also of Greek akhos "pain, grief"), from root *agh- (1) "to be depressed, be afraid" (see ail). The current sense of "dread mixed with admiration or veneration" is due to biblical use with reference to the Supreme Being. To stand in awe (early 15c.) originally was simply to stand awe.

Food for thought at a time of Too Much Information, worship of data, useless knowledge, and scarce wisdom - electronic or in-person.