Treasures of wisdom

Only twice in Scripture are the words “treasure,” “wisdom” and “knowledge” used together. In Isaiah 33:6, Yahweh promises that after He destroys the Assyrian destroyers, He will fill Zion with justice and will open the fourfold treasure of wisdom – salvation, wisdom, knowledge, and the fear of Yahweh. Earlier, the Branch from Jesse was given the Spirit of wisdom, knowledge, and fear (Isaiah 11:2), but in chapter 33 Isaiah says that the riches of the Spirit will spread from the Branch to the entire nation.

The other place that uses this combination of terms is Colossians 2:3, where Jesus is identified as the One “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Isaiah prophesies about the riches of jeshua , salvation (33:6), the riches of Jesus. Those treasures are opened only after a “time of distress” (33:3) when Gentiles attack Zion. That too is Jesus, for it is on the far side of the distress of the cross that Jesus is unlocked as the treasure-chest of the Father’s wisdom and knowledge.

“Wisdom” and “knowledge” do appear together in other connections, which give us further insight into what Isaiah and Paul promise.

The first use of the combination of terms is in Exodus 31:3 and 35:31, both references to the gift of the Spirit to Bezalel: “I have filled him with he Spirit of God in all wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.” Bezalel’s wisdom is artistic skill to craft the vessels and furnishings of Yahweh’s house. The Branch too is given the Spirit of skill to fashion and orchestrate the human vessels of God’s house. This is the treasure that Isaiah promises will be opened in Zion for all the people of God: When the Spirit’s riches are poured out, every resident of Zion will be a king, every resident will be an architect devoted to “edifying” the house and promoting the beauty and harmony of justice and righteousness (Isaiah 33:5-6). Yahweh will do this work, but He will do it through His Spirit-equipped craftsmen.

Of course, “wisdom,” knowledge,” and sometimes “fear of Yahweh” are a common combination in Proverbs (1:7; 2:6, 20; 8:12; 9:10). We can overlay this layer on the earlier connections we’ve drawn: The Branch becomes a true son of Solomon, a true sage-king, by the gift of the Spirit. Isaiah predicts that this same wisdom and knowledge will fill Zion and its inhabitants. And of course this all comes to a climax in Jesus, the Branch, the incarnate Wisdom, the Father’s living treasure-chest, opened in His death and resurrection to share His Spirit and all the Spirit’s wealth with us.