Proverbs 8
I don’t know about you, but I feel good when I have “insider knowledge.” Feeling left out is never a good feeling. It reminds me of coming to America in the first grade and not being able to speak any English. This was before ESL, where they would just throw you in with the other kids and you would have to figure it out.
Insider's knowledge is information known only to people on the "inside," to people who are part of an organization. People who aren't members of that group, outsiders, don't have access to that information.
Proverbs 8:1-3 spoke to me. Wisdom is available to all! Not just those with insider knowledge! Wisdom is for all people—she is not confined to an academic classroom or to some backroom “afterglow, secret handshake, hallelujah password meeting.” Neither is wisdom atop some high unattainable mountain where only the hardiest and most determined will find her. To the contrary, she wants to attract all and be accessible to all. The message says it all.
Do you hear Lady Wisdom calling? Can you hear Madame Insight raising her voice? She’s taken her stand at First and Main, at the busiest intersection. Right in the city square where the traffic is thickest, she shouts, “You—I’m talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets!
I love that! And if we listen, vv. 32-36 give us the result – “Blessed is the man who listens to me…for whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD!
Blessings,
Pastor Adrian
Insider's knowledge is information known only to people on the "inside," to people who are part of an organization. People who aren't members of that group, outsiders, don't have access to that information.
Proverbs 8:1-3 spoke to me. Wisdom is available to all! Not just those with insider knowledge! Wisdom is for all people—she is not confined to an academic classroom or to some backroom “afterglow, secret handshake, hallelujah password meeting.” Neither is wisdom atop some high unattainable mountain where only the hardiest and most determined will find her. To the contrary, she wants to attract all and be accessible to all. The message says it all.
Do you hear Lady Wisdom calling? Can you hear Madame Insight raising her voice? She’s taken her stand at First and Main, at the busiest intersection. Right in the city square where the traffic is thickest, she shouts, “You—I’m talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets!
I love that! And if we listen, vv. 32-36 give us the result – “Blessed is the man who listens to me…for whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD!
Blessings,
Pastor Adrian
Posted in Proverbs Challenge
13 Comments
Yes, Pastor Adrian, I do hear wisdom calling after ignoring her for so long. I embrace her and I do feel life and favor from the Lord. I also feel called to help her reach others whenever possible. She has a powerful message, but she is in competition with others whose message would lead elsewhere.
Good Question about the feminine nature of wisdom...just "my thoughts"; I like to think of her as the Holy Spirit pouring out Revelation Truth, as you say PA, to each and every one of us! That makes me feel rather special, to think that our God is a God who has NO partiality and comes to me daily, yes, "seeking me out" to abide, to have fellowship and communion with me! I AM LOVED!!
Mike, the imagery of other voices calling out to us is a strong one. Often times wisdom gets drowned out by competing voices who call out, in "louder," or dare I say more seductive ways. I agree with you. We as people of wisdom need to help others distinguish between the shouts/voices, while walking the path of wisdom.
On another note: why do you think wisdom is referred to so often as a "she"?
Good Question about the feminine nature of wisdom...just "my thoughts"; I like to think of her as the Holy Spirit pouring out Revelation Truth, as you say PA, to each and every one of us! That makes me feel rather special, to think that our God is a God who has NO partiality and comes to me daily, yes, "seeking me out" to abide, to have fellowship and communion with me! I AM LOVED!!
Mike, I think "Wisdom" is called "She" because of the beauty she brings into the lives of those who will listen! We are all attracted to something that is beautiful. A person, a sunrise or sunset, the beauty of creation.
Idk, just thinking through it together.
Love your analogy, Lindy!!
I love the imagery of this chapter! I had never read it before.
My thoughts on this chapter: God's wisdom in our core. Much like God Himself, we just need to accept it and access it.
V33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.
This makes me think about how many times my intuition has been correct and I haven't listened or I've had a convicted idea and instead of acting on it I've missed opportunities.
Andrea, you are correct. When we follow our "gut hit", we more often than not have discerned wisdom. God placed it their for our protection.
My thoughts about wisdom being female:
The human species is designed such that the male pursues the female. The female is desirable, with many wonderful qualities, but her mysteries are not easy to discover. She does not pursue us.
Likewise, wisdom will not pursue us. She will remain aloof and if you don't make the effort, you will never know her. However, if you do make the effort and show her the respect she deserves, she will add to your life in unimaginable ways.
How beautifully put.
Well put, Mike.
How beautifully put.
Love that image you painted with your words!
How beautifully put.
Well put, Mike.
How beautifully put.
Great insight, Mike! The characterization of wisdom as a woman also stands in stark contrast to the adulterous woman of the previous chapter.
Chapter 8 is labeled The Blessings of Wisdom in my ESV version.
Want to test wisdom and if it comes from God? He says, "ALL the words of my mouth are righteous; there is NOTHING twisted or crooked in them." (V. 8)
I know it's so easy to ride off Scripture but I believe it's important to really let these words soak in. All His words are righteous and nothing is twisted. If a friend is giving you advice and it's not lining up with Scripture, do not invest into said advice. He goes on to say in verse 9-10 "they are all straight to him who understands (must understand) and right to those who find knowledge (you must find it)"
We know how to find it. We must have a true fear of the Lord. Not only do we need to surrender, but we must TRUST. Trust he is who he says he is. That he will fulfill his promises. That the God who knows everything is wholeheartedly invested into your life.
We do this beginning with the heart.