Even on this snowy day...

Proverbs 8:

I keep coming back to Proverbs 8 and 9 because I think I'm just captured by wisdom's persistance. I see wisdom as a metaphor for the Lord who always comes to meet us. I think after this week and what has happened at the leaders' meeting, we need that wisdom that God so willingly offers. Can you guys believe it - "Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?" (v.1) Wisdom is ALWAYS THERE. We have to be willing to listen - to "Listen, for I [wisdom] [has] worthy things to say." (v.6)

Wisdom blatantly says "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." (v.10) NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING can compare!

Verse 34 - "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway."

I need to be there...at those doors. I need to listen for His wisdom in EVERYTHING I do...while doing schoolwork, while interacting with friends and family, while planning Maranatha events... I need to make that effort and making that effort is enough because whether people see a glimpse of His work in my life through getting to know me or begin to wonder about who Jesus really is, it's up to them and the Holy Spirit. Nothing happens because of my works, only His.

Proverbs 3

When I read the New Testament, I really can't read far before I stumble a verse regarding the justification through law vs the justification through grace.

It seems like the author of Proverbs also hints at it as well.

The first 12 verses is based on the law, the commandments. And when if you do not "forget [the] teachings" and "keep [the] commands in your heart", "length of days and years of life and peace will add to you."

But from verse 13 on, it begins, "blessed is the man who finds wisdom."
"Long life is in her(wisdom's) right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace."
And the rest of what this wisdom will bring is so beautiful.

The law and wisdom.

But this I loved:

Verse 3, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
And in the NKJV and ESV version, verse 21 says, "keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck."

The comparison of the law being a binding on your neck while the wisdom is grace to your neck; the law as an inscribed tablet on your heart to wisdom becoming life to your soul.

To me, the words in the bible become so much more incredible and tasteful when they are less of a series of directions for me to be good and to be wise, but more of this reoccuring evidence of a lover who has come to rescue us from the chains of law (because we inevitably sin) to freedom in grace.

Proverb 2

I remember, more so during high school, when people prayed for me. They would pray that God will give me the wisdom He gave Solomon, to help me through my studies and guide me through life's choices, etc. I guess the basis of that is that wisdom is this tool for enhancing our success.

Or other times, when we think of wisdom, we think of it as an unseen entity, like a force that we can maybe create or bring to life by, I don't know, studying? reading? learning? getting old?

But I think the author tells us otherwise.

Primarily, he says we need to be more passive or surrendering--"if you receive my words" and be "attentive to wisdom." And then, maybe when we've seen a glimpse of it, "call out", "raise your voice", "seek it", "search for it".

And not just search for it like it's some pair of pants we want to wear that we just can't find!!! (I hate it when that happens..) But seek it so desperately that we are willing to let go of all that we possess, to invest our life in it, like a "hidden treasure". (Matt 13:44)

It's really interesting the way Proverbs 2 personifies wisdom. Maybe, this wisdom, which will "come into our [hearts]" and "[deliver us] from the ways of evil", isn't really the kind of wisdom that we have perceived for so long. Instead of 'wisdom' being a 'thing' that brings us good school, a well-to-do career, or a great husband/wife, perhaps 'wisdom' is rather 'someone' who will reveal, show, and guide "the way" to righteousness that we just cannot find or obtain on our own. But we need to be willing to open up ourselves, take in, and have the faith to seek because this is it; this 'wisdom' will bring us to where we are to be.

Welcome to our new blog.

Hi everyone,

Here's the blog where you can jot down your thoughts (and respond to other people's) as we read through the book of Proverbs together. Enjoy!

- Regina