Beginning of Wisdom III ...

Wednesday, March 6, 2019. We have been looking into the wisdom literature of the Proverbs, this important book of the Old Testament. As a core part, it tells us to listen to God and his wisdom, to trust God, to fear God and take him serious. But it also gives very practical on various levels. Wisdom is not only something spiritual, but it is practical. It has clear and immediate consequences. It is about action, about our behaviour!

What is the value of wisdom in our life? What is its status? The following passage talks about the role which wisdom has for us. Have a look!

Embrace Wisdom …

5 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. 8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 9 She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” (from Proverbs 4)

The images are strong and interesting. First, we are called to embrace wisdom. We are called to value her highly. To give her the highest price. Second, the consequences of wisdom which is governing your and my life are described. The author uses the image of a garland or a crown. Wisdom crowns your head! But you need to embrace her, be filled by her, value her highly.

Action …

Wisdom is also: action. In the modern world we value knowledge very highly. We value know-how. We also have a positive idea of wisdom. But do we know what wisdom means? We have lost the idea of a wise and balanced way. The values which are communicated today are mainly power, success, wealth, beauty, courage. I am not against these in general. The bible is not against it in general.

God himself is very powerful, very successful, very wealthy, very beautiful, very courageous. Yes, but he is also full of wisdom. He is also pure. He is trustworthy. He is faithful. He is love. He is truth.

Wisdom hates evil. Wisdom hates adultery. Wisdom hates crooked speech. It stays away from evil paths. Wisdom is not just the light sugar on our success, but it is a deep force from within, it is a path chosen by us to turn away from bad things again and again, and to turn to the eternal God day by day, search him and find him and his holy spirit. (Roland Potthast) ... further texts