Solomon is gathering steam in his thoughts about how crucial wisdom is. You can hear the passion building as he lays out the importance of wisdom above all other things a person could run after.
What struck you as profound today?
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It seems Solomon feels the need for a lengthy "commercial break," plugging the virtues of wisdom. It's like when you find the BEST product or restaurant and you're not satisfied until EVERYONE you know has tried it for themselves.
ReplyDeleteHe's trying to make this pursuit as attractive as possible, and he puts a lot of visuals together to do it, personifying wisdom in some verses:
-ESTEEM her (8)
-EMBRACE her (8)
-She will set favor on your head like a garland (9)
-She'll present you with a crown of splendor (9)
He saves his most vivid imagery for the contrast between LIGHT and DARK paths in 14-19. I get the idea that when I choose the wicked path, I'm cowering in a dark alley, stumbling around, full of my wickedness and drunk on violence. My choices born of wisdom give me sure footing on a path illuminated by Him: safe, level, straight, bright in the sun.
OK, Solomon. I'm buying.
What struck me as profound today is that once again Solomon is talking like a father would talk to his children not in a dictatorial way, but in a loving, firm, stern way, kind of like how God talks to us today. I'm praying that God will keep my mind pure and on his ways. I have a tendency to start things and not finish them. Help a brother out in this.
ReplyDeleteCan't help you much with that Kevin. I, too, have the tendency to start something and then not fin
ReplyDeleteWhat strikes me today (and yesterday, and the 2 days before that) is that these Proverbs are addressed specifically to "sons". I KNOW the Proverbs apply to me as well, but a translation that says "children" of "offspring" would be nice for us daughters.
ReplyDeletevs. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts are the most important thing to God.
Mt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in HEART
Mt. 12:34 out of the overflow of your HEART the mouth speaks
I love the word picture that comes with Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL of your heart" I think about playing hide and seek with Emma earlier this morning and how much effort she put into finding me...oh how I need to have that same desire to seek God with all of my heart. Jana Edens
I have learned that I must focus on acquiring wisdom in an extremely purposeful manner. Verses 7-8 are my a convicting force. "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you." Am I willing to really give up the things that I have put before God to get understanding? What sacrifices am I really willing to make for wisdom (alone)? What Solomon is teaching is that even though you may not feel willing to trade your habits of sin for wisdom, it is still worth it. Trading it in will exalt and honor you by setting "grace on your head", and when "you run, you will not stumble." Praise be to God!
ReplyDeleteFrom my viewpoint, I am blown away at how wisdom is described as a woman. It seems like not only is this laying out how to earnestly seek wisdom, but also how to treat your wife.
ReplyDeletev. 26 Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. ...talk about a thought out and intentional life.