This chapter is written as if Wisdom is speaking to us and what she would say if she was. It's as if she is trying to let us know that if we will pay attention to her voice we will avoid so much trouble in our life. What stands out to you as you read this chapter? Just write down one thing from each grouping of verses that I outline together.
What Wisdom is Speaking
vs 1-9 Wisdom cries out and understanding lifts up her voice....
The passion in these verses is what impresses me. Whatever it takes for her voice to be heard is what she will do. She raises her cry at the crossroads (choices in our life) and at the gate (each time we enter a new place in our life). she speaks truth and against deception, bringing everything into the open and hiding nothing.
vs 10-11 Choose instruction....
This is something wisdom says over and over again - accept instruction, go after knowledge...it is more valuable than fine jewels.
vs 12-21 Attributes of Wisdom
Name several attributes that stick out to you - like - wisdom and good judgment go together. And Wisdom fears God.
vs 22-31 The Lord formed wisdom from the beginning before he created anything.
This was so surprising to me when I began to see Wisdom as coming before the beginning of creation. Wisdom actually helped create earth and all we see. Wow - wisdom will bring the best out of me if I will allow her involvement in my life.
vs 32-36 Listen to Wisdom...happy, fortunate and to be envied are those who follow her ways
"Hear her instruction and be wise" - again we hear it, listen to instruction. Be teachable and wisdom will be yours. I think vs 35 is the best "For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord."
I want God's favor so wisdom is something I need in my life. I can tell you one thing I see the longer I live and that is when I listen more, I gain wisdom. I listen to that inner voice when I need an answer and I wait until I hear it - then I act. Wisdom is tangible and real and attainable. Don't settle for less but reach for her and ask for her and she won't disappoint you.
3 comments:
In verse 1-9 verses 7-8 stuck out to me "For my mouth will speak truth....all the words of my mouth are with righteousness, nothing crooked or perverse is in them". To be wise women, like sister wisdom, we need to guard what comes out of our mouth. "pray don't say". The Bible also says"even a fool is thought to be wise when he keeps his mouth shut." My mother always used to say "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." That should be a proverb! Not that we don't speak correction when needed, but the Bible says that where there is much talk, there is much sin. The words that come out of our mouth should be those that truly exalt God, things that speak of righteousness, honoring God and others, not perverse, disrespectful, lewd, etc. Sometmes, especially if we are in a situation that is frustrating, or we feel disrespected, we want to retaliate, shame, disrespect back, but here in proverbs it says "speak excellent things". Cover people in our speech, honor God with what comes out of our lips.
In verse 12-21, the verses that stuck out to me are 17-18. "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me." The attribute of wisdom that sticks out to me is to really partake of all the benefits of God, we are to diligently seek Him. His eye is on you and me. He wants us to seek Him and it's His delight. Wisdom says to love Him with our whole heart, and He does find us....favor finds us, prosperity finds us (verse 21), being able to walk in righteousness (verse 20) and fruitfulness finds us (verse 19), etc.
In verse 22-31, the verse that stuck out to me was verse 30. He created everything, and personally formed me and it says "and I was daily His delight." I love that verse. He made all of creation, then made me personally, down to every detail, for relationship with Him. He cares about me that much! I really think this issue of daily personal relationship with Him is a life message for me. We aren't His delight sometimes, or when we get it right, or when we have all the circumstances looking right. We are DAILY His delight and it goes on to say "Rejoicing always before Him." He made us with the number one purpose for relationship with Him. He delights in our relationship with Him. He wants DAILY relationship with us. For a long time, I was so religious about spending 1 hour in prayer, reading my Bible everyday (3 in the old, one in the new--that is the way to get through the Bible in a year without a plan), but it is so much more about the daily relationship. A good devotional time is necessary, and I deinitely have one. But, having a devotional life is good to have a plan, but the power isn't in the form. It is the "praying without ceasing", "rejoicing always", etc etc, and just having an ongoing fellowship with Him in our day, our attitude, our heart, and constant communication. He LOVES to speak to us. He LOVES intimate relationship with us. He made us for that purpose. I love that verse!! I think that is going to be one of my new favorites in all the Bible. It has never stuck out to me like that before.
In verse 32-36, what stuck out to me was verse 35. "For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord." I love this. She gives wonderful advice! I used to get insecure sometimes and wonder why some people seemed to have so much favor. Why were they always blessed? Why were they so fruitful? The Bible says that God is no respecter of men. He doesn't favor one over another. It says that WHOEVER finds Him finds life and obtains favor. Favor is unmerited. We can all have it. I want favor in my life....and it is all about just seeking Him. We can walk daily in the favor of God...and I totally believe that when we are looking for His favor at work in our lives, we find it. It comes in little ways all the time....that discount we didn't expect, that upgrade we didn't expect, that conversation with someone that God opened the door to just by being there, open doors that we didn't expect, etc etc etc. God is so faithful.
I so agree about the relationship we have with the Lord. I believe the "plan" helps to enhance the relationship. I know when I stick to the plan God gives me to spend time with Him I grow more each day and capacity for Him becomes larger. Last year it seemed so hard to do those long readings, but this year I not only read Proverbs but add other chapters to my study. God wants to enlarge us - in a heart way!!! More of Him, not more of me in 2009!!!
Vs. 1-9 ... Wisdom is available, but am i listening? God doesn't make me listen - how it must pain Him when i don't!
Vs. 10-11 ... Better to have a life full of wisdom than a vault brimming with fortunes. Instead of working 50 different jobs to keep up with the Joneses, i can have wisdom to make good use of the resources God has given me and have plenty!
Vs. 12-21 ... With wisdom comes sanity! also a good name (speaks to me of integrity, righteousness), life ... things that money can't buy but are a hot commodity!
Vs. 22-31 ... God's brand of wisdom is creative and breathes life. I love this reassurance when i feel like there's no way i could come up with a creative thought to fulfill a goal or a ministry -- that's when i remember all the thousands and thousands of species and families and colors and shapes and functions of creation that God's wisdom wraught. There are still ideas out there for what i'm seeking - but they come thru God's wisdom, thru God Himself!
Vs. 32-36 ... Live a disciplined life! Youch! This is hard sometimes, but if i listen to wisdom beginning at the start of my day, i will have a life-filled day, pleasing to God! i need to seek God and His wisdom at the start of each day, not waiting 'til i run into a problem. (if each day just started a little later.... hehe)
P.S. My mom also used to say, "If you don't have anything good/nice to say, don't say anything at all!" good advice, thanks Mom!
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