After creating Adam and Eve, God placed both in the Garden of Eden telling them they can do whatever they wanted with one exception.  In the center of the garden, God showed them two trees, the tree of life which was a good tree, and the tree bearing the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.  This second tree they were not to eat or even touch.

Soon the devil entered the garden disguised as a snake.  He asked Adam and Eve about the second tree, “Why can’t you eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?’’  They answered simultaneously, “We will die.” Surprised, the snake said, “No, that’s not the reason.” He continued, “God is afraid you will be equal to Him, but dying is out of the question. 

Eve considering what he said thought it would be cool to be as smart as God.  Anyway, what harm would it do to anyone?  Eve tasted it first, turning to Adam saying, “Here Adam you try it.”  We know the rest of the story.  This disobedience was a betrayal of their special friendship with God.  He banished them from Eden.

Why they did this is a question many still ask!  Eve thought she could be “as smart as God.”  Convincing Adam they both must have thought the wisdom God showed by creating them, this garden, and everything around them. By eating the fruit, it would be theirs.

With this thinking they did not gain wisdom, but instead wrote the first definition of sin. Isn’t sin a choice which says we think we are smarter than God, which translates, better than God?  What they didn’t realize is wisdom only comes from a relationship with God.  And their act of betrayal severed that relationship and left their sin of disobedience. 

King Solomon, King David’s son, wanted an understanding heart to measure just and correct decisions in ruling his people.  Solomon realizing only God gives this gift asked: “Give your servant, an understanding heart to judge your people …” (1 Kings 3:7). Yahweh is delighted that Solomon made this request.  And Yahweh granted him wisdom. 

Much later while in the desert, thirsty and hungry, Jesus is assured of all kinds of spectacular promises from the same devil.  Jesus accepted none of them.  The overriding reason is his loving relationship with his Father, the only fountain of true wisdom.

Wisdom flows from his Father to us through the preaching and the teaching of Jesus. Jesus, son of God, mediates all wisdom pouring from heaven.  This wisdom called “the bread from heaven” shows believers the way to the Father.  This is the primary reason we call it wisdom at all.