The Holy Spirit Is Lady Wisdom
At first (or second) glance, it seems that Scripture does not say much about the Holy Spirit. However, a deeper search through the holy writings reveal much more about the Holy Spirit than many of us have previously been aware of.
The Holy Spirit is our Divine Mother. She is also Wisdom, and as such, she is revealed in Scripture as understanding and insight. In light of this, Proverbs 4:7 makes so much more sense.
Wisdom Is Divine
The first step to understanding Wisdom is to accept that She is Divine. When this is realized, honoring Her will follow.
Scripture presents Wisdom as both Divine and a part of God’s created family. She was formed in the beginning, before the world began (Prov. 8:22-23), which makes Her eternal. Proverbs 8 aligns with Genesis 1:2, which states that the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. Likewise, Wisdom was at God’s side during the entire Creation account, including heaven and earth, and rejoiced with the human family (Prov. 8:24-31).
Wisdom Is Given By God = The Holy Spirit Given By God
Because She belongs to the Father, She can only be given by the Father. This is Her submissive role in the Divine Family. When someone fears (reveres, respects) God, He will give them Wisdom, as fear of God is the foundation of Wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). She is His and under His authority (Job 12:13).
The book of Job explains this. It reads:
20 “But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? 21 It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it. 22 Destruction and Death say, ‘We’ve heard only rumors of where wisdom can be found.’ 23 “God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, 24 for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens.” ~Job 28:20-24 (NLT)
We see this in Solomon’s request for wisdom, found in 1 Kings 3.
9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!
~1 Kings 3:9-12 (NLT)
Because the nation of Israel was God’s chosen nation, His own special possession (Deut. 7:6) and His firstborn son (Exod. 4:22; expressing priority, not birth order), they were given Wisdom. This God-approved assistance and endowment is extended to the believer in Christ. The Holy Spirit is given to the believer when they place their faith in Christ (Eph. 1:13-14). And just as Solomon received wisdom when he asked, so does the believer.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
~James 1:5 (NLT)
Wisdom Is Omnipresent
The Holy Spirit is able to be everywhere at one time (Psalm 139:7-12).
Furthermore, the spirit of Wisdom is identified in other places of Scripture as the Holy Spirit. The men who constructed the Tabernacle were filled with the spirit of wisdom (Exod. 28:3; 31:3; 35:31). Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom (Deut. 34:9), and so was Daniel (Dan. 5:11, 14) and the seven men chosen to serve in the new covenant church (Acts 6:3, 10). Also, Isaiah foretold that Jesus would have the spirit of Wisdom (Isaiah 11:2). Being filled with the Spirit of Wisdom empowered them to complete their God-ordained tasks.
Wisdom Is Omnipotent
Scripture teaches that Wisdom is omnipotent, meaning that She has divine power and able to do anything.
The Father’s glory has been seen throughout history in accordance with His will. This is seen with Moses (Exod. 14:21), Joshua (Numb. 27:18), the judges (Judges 3:9-10; 6:34; 14:6; 15:14), the prophets (Ezek. 2:1-2; Luke 4:18-19), the kings (1 Sam. 10:5-10; 16:13), Mary (Luke 1:35-37), Jesus (Heb. 9:14), the apostles (Acts 1:8, 4:8-10), the seven (Acts 6:37), and the believer (1 John 2:20).
Likewise, Wisdom’s power to make everything new is seen in the life of the believer, because by the Holy Spirit the believer is given new life (2 Cor. 5:17; Titus 3:3-5).
Jesus explained this to Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to believe in Him. When teaching about the kingdom of God, He told him:
… “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
~John 3:5-6 (NLT)
Paul also explained:
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
~2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)
This regenerating power extends to the importation of spiritual gifts, the special abilities the Holy Spirit gives believers to work within the universal body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:4-11). These gifts include the ability to perform miracles, prophesy, teach, and help, among others. All of these gifts were present and active before the new covenant church began.
Wisdom Is Omniscient, Too
The omniscience of Wisdom further proves She is the Holy Spirit. Scripture teaches that Wisdom knows every word that people say.
The Spirit’s omniscience is why no one can get away with dishonoring Her or lying to Her. This is what Jesus explained to the Pharisees who said His power came from Satan.
31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
~Matthew 12:31-32 (NLT)
Furthermore, attempting to lie to the Holy Spirit resulted in immediate judgment for Ananias and Sapphira, who thought they were only lying to the apostles (Acts 5:1-11).
The omniscience of Wisdom is how She is able to reveal things to God’s children and give them spiritual understanding (1 Cor. 2:14-16).
But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. ~1 Corinthians 2:10-12
In conclusion, embracing Wisdom as the Holy Spirit allows us to seek Her all the more and receive more of the spiritual insight and understanding She graciously gives Her children.