A Tale of Two Ladies--Lady Wisdom Proverbs 1

 

When you are browsing at the library or a bookstore, looking for something new, what do you look at first? I would guess if you're like me, you look at the back of the book jacket first, where you can find a general synopsis about what to expect.  Proverbs 1:1-7 is just that--a basic recap of what you can expect to learn in the following chapters.  As we've already learned, King Solomon, son of King David, is writing this series of proverbs-or parables- for his son to listen to and learn from.  King Solomon's father wrote at least 73 of the Psalms; and according to 1 Kings 4, King Solomon spoke or wrote 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.    So we can consider him an expert! The word for Proverb means a comparison.  So we find a lot of "possible scenarios" play out in these chapters.  

If I had to summarize Proverbs 1 into 3 sentences, it would be these--It's important to be teachable; learning begins at home; and ignoring wisdom has consequences. The first scenario the father warns his son against is being enticed by sinners.  They set a trap for absolutely no reason other than for the harm of others.  They find comfort in numbers and plot for evil with sweeping promises.  This is the first of many times the father refers to wisdom and folly as two paths.  He warns his son not to walk in the way with them, not to  follow their paths.  They get on their path and they RUN toward evil, in a hurry to shed blood.  They set traps for others, but in the end it's their own lives they forfeit. Its just the truth of the matter--following this path leads to death.  

But Wisdom....The same faithful God who promises no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man, he will provide the way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13)  Wisdom calls for you as you stand weighing your options.  If you turn at her call, that's square one.  Recognizing you are in spiritual poverty, and cannot make the right decision on your own.  Human, sinful nature will lead you into folly.  It will lead you into doing what is right in your own eyes.  But not everyone turns to wisdom;  some refuse to listen. The consequences of ignoring wisdom's advice is she will not answer when you call; she will not be found; you will reap what you sow,; and ultimately death.  The blessings of following her advice is the spirit of Wisdom poured out; words made Known; secure dwelling; security and no dread of  disaster.   

Ok,  I look at this first scenario of a mob calling for me to join them as they go commit crime, and I immediately think--"Well that's an easy 'no' for me!" But think through the word picture.  Do we ever get carried away in gossip?  Do we ever judge wrongly, or bully, or criticize too hastily?  Are we quick to believe the worst of someone and let that color every thing else we  believe of them?  We walk with the crowd, maybe not running toward the wrong, but definitely not attempting to turn around.  We think we are getting away with it, that no one's going to know.  But we aren't as clever as we think we are.  We are setting a trap right in front of the bird! They are going to know.  By joining in the sin, we not only "shed the blood" of those we hurt, but we also put our own reputation on the line, we set an ambush for our own lives.  

 There is no such thing as life without fear--we will either fear God or we will fear man. Pursuing wisdom is a choice.  As we hear wisdom crying aloud to us at every turn, my prayer is that I will be teachable, that WE will be teachable.  That we will hear and increase in learning.