The voice of wisdom!

Wisdom personified: Proverbs ch.8

Proverbs 8:1-11 ESV
[1] Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? [2] On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; [3] beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: [4] “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. [5] O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. [6] Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, [7] for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. [8] All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. [9] They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. [10]  Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, [11]  for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.8.1-11.ESV

Wisdom cries out, like a voice from heaven. There are many voices competing for our attention, every day. Wisdom cries out from heaven, and from within when we hide God’s word in our hearts. If we’re truly listening to hear God’s voice, we’ll hear Him. But he doesn’t force us to take heed to his voice when we do hear Him. Freewill is a part of our human nature and the way God created us. It is more meaningful to choose to follow God’s ways, as opposed to being programmed like robots.

Some might call this the voice of reasoning or common sense, and the word of God contains these elements of truth as he speaks to us through the scriptures. But it’s more so the voice of wisdom and understanding that comes through the living power of His word; both His spoken and written word, the scriptures, and through His eternal word, Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, indwells our soul. This is how he speaks to us on the inside, in our hearts, in our inner being. Jesus is the word, who took on flesh and dwelt among us.

John 1:14 ESV
[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.1.14.ESV


Both wisdom and folly, which is foolish and reckless behavior, are personified in Proverbs. The power of our own flesh and human nature vs the power of God unto salvation, which is the gospel. This is really the daily decision we’re faced with; walk in the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that comes from God’s word, or walk in my own ways.

The Gospel is more than just the recorded, historical events surrounding the life, ministry, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is the power of God to save people from sin, destruction and death.

In Proverbs, wisdom and understanding are contrasted with foolish and wicked, rebellious living. Rebellious merely means a life that doesn’t live for or seek the kingdom of God. One can go to church, pray and even read the Bible, and still not be seeking the kingdom of God in their daily lives. Religion may contain all of the above, but unless it’s from a pure heart, focussing on the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God’s word, you’ll never experience the full power of God’s word, to transform you daily, by the renewing of your mind.

This is the value of gaining wisdom and understanding, so that we can truly live out God’s word daily in practical ways. Every day we are confronted with choices and decisions. Which way shall I go? What shall I do when faced with everyday, ordinary decisions?

Do these “small things” matter to God? Yes they do. But oftentimes, the answer to our prayers are found by stepping out in faith and doing whatever we need to do to make the right decisions and live them out for the glory of God AND for our good.

ALL things work together for our good (Romans 8:28) which means, every decision we make, through prayerful reflection and exercising true wisdom, will be beneficial for our ultimate good, and for those who are around us in our daily lives.

Everyday, ordinary, seemingly small stuff can cause confusion and chaos when we’re not submitting ourselves and our hearts to God, as living sacrifices, so that He can guide us with His wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discretion.  That’s exactly what happens when we’re left to our own human nature, to figure life out in our own, by our own wit and human resources.

Proverbs 5:21 ESV
[21] For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.

https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.5.21.ESV