The Proverbs Series: Wisdom’s ‘Human Side’
Walking the Wise Path to the Good Life
Dear #DailyFollower,
Introduction
I trust you're having a lovely and restful Sunday. Enjoy your downtime to get refreshed for the week ahead.
For all NFL fans, have fun today and enjoy the Super Bowl.
Today in the Proverbs Series, Lady Wisdom continues to speak as she’s done since we met her on Day #5.
We’ve heard her cry and share her hopes and frustration (check out Days #5 to #8 here to read about Wisdom’s Cry, Hope, Frustration, and all the other Proverbs Series letters for anyone just joining the Proverbs Series).
Let’s listen in to hear Wisdom’s contemplation for today.
The Text
Proverbs 1:26-32, EXB
26 So I will laugh ·when you are in trouble [at your calamity]. I will ·make fun [ridicule you] when disaster strikes you,
27 When ·disaster [dread] comes over you like a ·storm [tempest], when trouble strikes you like a whirlwind when ·pain [distress] and ·trouble [oppression] overwhelm you.
28 “Then you will call to me, but I will not answer. You will ·look for [seek] me, but you will not find me.
29 It is because you ·rejected [hated] knowledge and did not choose to ·respect [fear; hold in awe] the Lord.
30 You did not ·accept [want] my advice, and you rejected my correction.
31 So you will ·get what you deserve [eat from the fruit of your path];
you will ·get what you planned for others [or be satisfied with your own counsel].
32 ·Fools [The simple/immature] will die because they ·refuse to listen [turn away]; ·they [fools] will be destroyed because ·they do not care [of complacency].
Some Thoughts
Since the introduction of the speaking Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 1:20, we’ve heard her cry, share her hope, and share her frustration; now, we get to the point in her story where we can say she’s had enough.
At this point, we can see ourselves in Lady Wisdom, that breaking point, where we say, “You made your bed, so lie on it as you made it“. Caring Lady Wisdom now says she will laugh at the troubles those she cried over (and earnestly hoped would listen to her and got frustrated with) when they face the consequences of turning their backs to her counsel.
One crucial thing we can’t afford to miss in this second rendition of Lady Wisdom’s frustration is that it is foolish to have access to counsel that would improve our lives and choose not to care enough to listen to such counsel. The end of such a choice is fatal.
One Question To Ponder
What choices am I making today that set me on a foolish path that takes me far away from the good life God desires for me?
This question forces us to engage in self-reflective meditation to either find our way onto the wise path that leads to the good life and away from the foolish path that leads to destruction or double down on our commitment to avoid choices that take us away from the wise path we’re currently on.
Whichever of these two cases is yours, you must commit to walking with Lady Wisdom. She’s holding out her hand to you and wants to guide you through life (Proverbs 1:24, EXB); there’s no better way to do life than with Wisdom leading us in the way to go.
Conclusion
I’ll skip to Proverbs 13:20, EXB (we’ll get to it, and I’ll share more thoughts then) to share the closing thought for today because it captures the outcome of choosing to walk with Lady Wisdom or ignoring her in the best possible way. King Solomon says:
20 ·Spend time [Walk; Go] with the wise, and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will ·suffer [or get into trouble].
Our choice to embrace Lady Wisdom and walk with her will pay off handsomely. Wisdom will likely not set us on courses that are popular with most people around us, but one thing is sure: the course we take with Wisdom will always lead us to the good life.
We will conclude our journey in Proverbs 1 tomorrow. Until then, please stay on the wise path.
Yours faithfully,
John, a #DailyFollower.
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