The ninth Proverb seems very appropriate for today, even for life in the 21st century. Wisdom is featured prominently. I pray this is a blessing for you as it was me when I read this morning.
Wisdom again is depicted as a woman who is prepared and invites those who would listen to her call. Here, she has built a ‘house’. Note this is different than the word for ‘tent’, sometimes used in the Old Testament as a dwelling place. A tent, or tabernacle, on the contrary, was temporary, to be portable. This house built by Wisdom is a firm, permanent dwelling, with seven pillars, a display of incredible strength. And within these walls awaits all the comforts of home. With her house prepared, she invites all to forsake their folly and live.
With wisdom comes proper, or skillful spiritual living. Correction and reproof are a part of the wise life, both in the delivering and reception of these aspects of the Godly life. And when we try to correct a scoffer, we can get our own dishonor. Think of a scoffer one who talks arrogantly or in a mocking (other Bible versions use “scorner” or “mocker”). Further, if we reprove (correct, rebuke, judge, etc.) someone who is wicked, we will get insults back as a result. That scoffer will hate us.
A wise person will take correction and reproof with love, according to verse 8. A wise person is seen to increase in wisdom by being corrected, or instructed. A righteous person’s learning is increased by teaching. Communication is therefore so vital. We must deliver correction and reproof properly. We must receive both equally as properly. Much, much easier said than done.
Where do we begin? The fear of the Lord, that’s where. The healthy, reverent, awe and respect for God is where wisdom begins. Wisdom is an eternal attribute of God, “she” was there before in the beginning with God (Prov. 8:22). Today, just as in all times past, we need a good and healthy fear of the Lord in our lives. With that fear comes wisdom, followed by knowledge, and understanding. To understand how we properly relate to God and to others first requires that we understand God and who He is. Really knowing God shapes and frames everything else in life.
The other “woman” we keep running into is Folly (the adulteress, the wicked, etc.). She, too, has a house, and she has placed it in a prominent location, also easy to see and find. Recall from verse 4 that Wisdom calls the naïve, and in verse 13 Folly is called naïve. But Folly does not heed that call; rather, she spends her time calling to, inviting those who are trying to make their paths straight. We see clearly here that some walk that path upon which Wisdom has placed them, and yet they are enticed by what is ultimately a death trap. The point seems to be that just because we get on the right path, we are not home free, at least regarding the skillful spiritual life. No, it takes continual effort to live wisely, and not naively. This is a clear pattern in the first nine chapters of Proverbs.
The encouragement is that wisdom CAN be attained to; skillful spiritual living can indeed be a realistic goal for the God-fearer. And it begins with that fear of the Lord, because only He, with His wisdom, using our knowledge and understanding of Him, can make that wise path clear to us. I pray that we all, naturally self included, will make good choices today, with a healthy fear of the Lord in mind. All the “stuff” that is not wise will certainly entice, even today. The challenge is to proverbially seek out the house built by Wisdom; this is the most secure place, covered by trusting in our great God.
No comments:
Post a Comment