THE FINITE UNDERSTANDING MAN

 

When you don’t have the power 

of intuitive understanding you

become slave to nature’s necessities.

It is an indisputable reality that God with his supernatural wisdom, ability and creativity brought to bear the existing things in the cosmos. He determines the understanding abilities of the living creatures according to their species and He is the supreme example of the use of the understanding. The splendid coordination and functioning of the universe in which each creature serves a particular and harmonious purpose which no clashes or problems resulting from a lack of discernment on their creator’s part manifest God’s understanding see Job 38:36, Ps.126:5 –9, prov.3:19–20, Jer 10:12–13.

God gave the animals instinctive understanding, each according to its kind. Man may spend years gaining understanding of aerodynamics, but the eagles & falcons instinctively  know just how to read and utilize the different types of air currents see Job 39:26. Animals however do not have certain aspects of understanding that are peculiar to man as we could see in Ps 32:9 “ Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee”.

Despite man’s intensive research over centuries, many features and cycles operating according to divine laws still elude man’s full comprehension. What man can grasp from their study of the material creation only approaches the fringes of God’s way and is but a whisper as compared to mighty thunder. This is even more true of God’s works of judgment and salvation. 

His thoughts being too deep for ungodly person to grasp – Job 26:7–14, Ps.92:5–6 “ He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.  The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.  He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.  By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.  Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?.. Ps 92:5-6.  O Lord, how great are thy works. and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

Consideration of divine understanding manifests in the material creation. This enables Job to discern his proper relationship to the creator and humbly recognized his own lack of understanding – Job 42:1-6. As the source of things in any realm of life, God can exercise insight into the thoughts and doings of all mankind and He chooses, gives thoughtful consideration or attention to individuals and classes – see prov. 21:21, Ps 5:1-2. He knows his own invincible purpose and what He will do in the future. His righteous judgment and standards are fixed and unchangeable. Hence there is no wisdom nor any discernment, nor any counsel in opposition to our father in heaven – God see Prov. 21:30 Compare Isa. 29:13 – 14, Jer 23:20, 30:24. He needs to consult no one to understand a matter such as how to help His servants effectively or how to receive them from distress and oppression. Isa 40:10 -15, 27:31, Daniel 9:32.

The scripture says that they that know their God shall be strong and shall do exploit. The knowledge of God and discernment of His will combined with faith and trust therefore form the foundation of all true understanding on the part of His intelligent creatures. Knowledge of the most Holy one is what understanding is which includes understanding righteousness and judgment and uprightness, the entire course of what is good. Prov. 9:10, 2:6 – 9, 16:20.

No matter of real importance can be fully understood unless all the factors are viewed from God’s standpoint and seen in relation to his standard, qualities and eternal purpose. A man that increases in understanding would earn a double results, that is an increase in knowledge and ability to deliver to others. He could constantly increase in understanding if he consistently connects to his source. He that does not in this sense begins to disconnect from his maker the source of all things both in the natural and eternal as a factor to be considered when making decisions and plans.

 Such a person allows his heart to blind him to the wrongness of his ways and loses insight – Job 24:27, Ps.36:1– 4.  Even if claiming to worship God, he puts men’s precepts above God’s and prefers them. He rationalizes and excuses his loose conduct as mere sport and becomes perverted, brutish, stupid in his reasoning, to the extreme of assuming that the invisible God does not see or discern his wrong Ps. 94:4 – 10, Isa.29:3–16, prov.10:23, Ps.139:7–13. Some by their courses and actions, they say in effect there is no God and leaves Him out of the picture. Not being guided by divine principles he cannot Judge matters  correctly, see the issues, evaluate the factors involved and arrive at right decision – Ps 53:1–2, Prov.28:5, Ps 14:2.

In view of the above, understanding may relate to knowledge and skill in mechanical activities, such as construction and designing of buildings or making  articles of woods, metal, stone or cloth. The Tyrian worker Hiram was a skillful man, experienced in understanding as a craftsman working a wide range of materials as we read in 2Chr.2:13–14. Such understanding contributes to effective work resulting in products of enduring qualities. Other may be experts in Matter of transportation, Music, linguistics, writing or other scholarly subjects due to their understanding. Such understanding can be gained through natural abilities and efforts. Of course, God’s spirit can augment, or enhance such understanding in person and qualify him to teach others the craft or profession as in the case of Bezaleel in Ex.35:30-35.  Some may have keen discernment of human nature being observant and able to put two together just like David noting the way his servants were whispering. He discerned that his child by Bathsheba had died in 2Sam.12:19. Rehoboam also was guided by his understanding of fallen human nature and its tendency toward envy and jealousy when assigning his son’s inheritances as we read in 2 Chro.11:21 – 23.

Similarly, man or communities of men may show considerable discernment in business operations, a factor in their success enriching themselves as did the leaders of Tyre in Ezek28:2-9. Rulers may have understanding of military warfare and strategic or be experts in political diplomacy, yet their understanding may be narrow and of short – range benefit as in the foregoing cases – Isaiah 10:12 –13, Dan.8:23. It could be seen then that the scriptures refer to understanding obtainable by natural means. Yet any such comprehension of worldly intellectual men becomes foolishness, vain when God’s purposes are not considered for the entire human existence on earth. 

The scripture primarily urge for a superior understanding, one that is spiritual, having God as its foundation 1Cor.1:19 –20. No matter how much men may exploit the earth’s resources, exploring its depths and depths of the sea or studying the skies, they can never by their own efforts find the place and way of understanding and wisdom that lead to enduring and successful life in righteousness and happiness – Job28:1-21, 28. This understanding cannot be found among the living. It is natural for people who do not understand the importance of God’s word to seek understanding here on earth. People look up to philosophers and other leaders to give them direction for living. Yet, Job said that understanding is not found there. No leader or group of leaders can produce enough understanding or insight to explain the totality of human experience.

 The ultimate interpretation of life of who we are and where we are going, must come from outside and above or mortal life. When you are looking for guidance, seek to know God’s words as made clear in Ps119:105. In  other to be lifted above the boundaries of life, we must know and trust the Lord of Life. Ps.119:130, Ps.14:2. Smart people can perform all kinds of technological wonders. They can find stars invisible to the eyes, visit space and store volumes of information in a microchip, but even the greatest scientists, on their own, are at a loss to discover and understand the way to peace with God. 

There is a vast difference between being smart and being wise. Only God can show them where to look to find understanding. True understanding is having God’s perspective in life.  As the creator of life, He knows what is best for his creation and He only can discern enduring factors for our lives. It is fruitless for us to try to become smart without seeking God’s understanding because God alone sees the greater purpose for this world. 

The limitation in man’s abilities was established in the Garden of Eden but let us reason together here. In reality of the issue, can a finite understanding homo-sapiens even angels challenge or bye-pass the authority and reliability of the infinite understanding omniscient and omnipotent God the creator and source of things in the natural and supernatural? No one who understands that God is the creator of the universe should be foolish enough to challenge Him the way Lucifer did before creation of the heavens and earth. – Ps 147:5.                            

Man needs to have the understanding that he is not safe in this life without helps from spiritual arms always. This is because we are in the midst of foes that is seeking prey to devour left and right. If we do not use the shield of faith and lose focus we may not be long in the physical reality without wounds. More so if we do not set our heart immovably with determination upon our maker, we may be fighting this spiritual warfare as one beating the air. This is because man is a little bit lower than the angels as a result of the fall in the Garden of Eden. It is in God through Christ Jesus that mortal man’s victory, peace and tranquility are sure. But you need to understand that trying to escape from this way of understanding and looking for private ends may make you miss common good and make you withdraw from the supernatural grace. 

The greatest enemy of man is himself when he is sold out to carnality and not thoroughly in accord with his maker. Man is clay  and earth in the hand of his maker hence he must learn to humble and should show himself as submissive to break up his carnal desires and yield to the infinite understanding God who could fashion and maximize the best out of him all good works. For this process to be fulfilled the entire humanity must exhibit the attitude of yieldedness in the absolute. This means.

Y - yearn for nothing but God’s glory alone so that his image may be  restored and likeness established in man – Isa 43:7

I-    Incline your heart to obey God’s words for spiritual understanding. Ps 119:130

E-  Embrace faith in God’s promises in the scriptures to obtain victory all round – Heb 11:32

L - Learn of the Lord and lean upon him for help and wisdom – Dan 11:102

D- Discipline yourself in His word with absolute adherence Ps.119:101–122

 N-     Navigate by divine direction in every situation Ps.60:11–121

E-  Exercise yourself in godliness through faith with your God’s given abilities. Spiritual excise is more important them when building muzzles. 1 Tim.4:7 – 8.

S - Seek things which are eternal and not earthly transient vain. Col 3:1-2.

S-  Stand fast in faith and endure suffering because they are part of the process to glorious end. 1 Cor.16:13, Rom 8:17 – 18.