”Every purpose is established by counsel: And with good advice make war.“
Proverbs 20:18
Feature, if you will, a king seated in his bed chamber early in the morning. The Messenger which brought him the news of an approaching army is now bolting out of the room to fetch the king’s counselors. The king has a thousand thoughts bouncing around inside his head and his emotions are raging. He steels himself against rash behavior and the urge to lash out in anger. He could, with the wave of his hand, send his army into battle but he knows prudence demands he seek the advice of his trusted counselors.
The meeting is scheduled, the facts are presented, a timeframe for the decision is set and the counselors gather their information. After the deliberation, a verdict is reached. A plan is formed then set into motion with haste and precision.
Irregardless of what the verdict, plan or direction has been chosen, the king showed wisdom, discretion, understanding and self control. He has done his People proud.
Allow me to introduce “A” way, not the only way, to view or explain Wisdom.
Draw a square in your mind. The four corners of this square are Knowledge, Understanding, Skill and Cunning. On the inside of this square wisdom is found.
It has been said, “knowledge is power,” mainly to enforce the concept of making informed decisions. It has been my experience, without knowledge, it is almost impossible to decipher truth.
Understanding takes knowledge to another level. Understanding is not only aware of truth, it knows how it works.
Skill can take something understood and fashion it, mold it, say it the right way or make it appealing.
Cunning utilizes skill appropriately.
At the crossroads of all of these concepts Wisdom makes her home. She does not stray outside of the square. She may have unimaginable knowledge in certain areas but that does not make her all knowing. She does not speak to a matter she does not know, understand, or have skill and cunning in. That would be behaving foolishly or arrogantly and Wisdom is neither.
Therefore, Wisdom seeks counsel from those that posses the four precious attributes in the areas she does not. She seeks out and secures counselors in strategic areas, then weighs their advice; especially to matters as critical as engaging in life or death situations like war.