Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.
“I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.
“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
I am a Leamon!
Denying the truth
Every parent has dealt with a child who denies doing something even when it is obvious they have done it. Trying to avoid dealing with reality is not exclusive to toddlers. Adults are just as guilty.
Wisdom personified shouts at us imploring us to open our ears to her knowledge and instruction. She invites us to deal with reality as God sees it instead of our own perceived reality. Too many times we respond to what we perceive as real, because we allow our perceptions to become our reality. When couples struggle to understand each other, it is often because they are two different views on reality. Each is perceiving what is going on through their set of lenses and acting accordingly. Often both miss what is actually real.
Instead of creating our own reality, living in our perceptions of reality, God invites us to adopt His perspective. He gives us wisdom, knowledge, and instruction to see beyond our simplistic and sarcastic worldviews. Wisdom invites us to move outside of our “know-it-all” attitudes to a place of open learning before the author of life.
Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus, open my ears Lord and help me to listen, open my heart Lord and help me to understand your Word. Please share your wisdom with me today. - Dan Jones
…and wisdom for allInteresting how readily available wisdom makes herself. (Solomon plays on the linguistic feminine of the noun “wisdom” by imagining this quality as a woman. The Greek word for wisdom is “Sophia”.) In fact wisdom is so available that it is as if she pursues everyone. Wisdom isn’t an experience only a few well educated, deeply reflective, or amazing persons can enjoy.
My problem, and I think the problem most people face, is my attentiveness to wisdom. Who doesn’t possess the wisdom to practice a balanced diet, eat in moderation, and stay away from foods or drinks that trigger a binge. Who doesn’t know the wisdom of getting enough rest but too much sleep, or the wisdom of saying no to enough good things to keep life in balance and cut down on stress levels.
And wisdom isn’t some repulsive hunchback of Notre Dame. She’s lovely and inviting. Life giving. Rewarding. Still, I too often ignore her. I can be a simpleton is practice, complacent in unwise choices, and then wishing I had more peace – that is deep and whole-life wellbeing.
I imagine myself peering out my window, having chosen unwisely, to see wisdom standing on the sidewalk with a look of “You could have listened to me. I’m sorry you didn’t.” Me too.
God, I know you are Sophia. All-wise. You have chosen to dwell within me, even though I ignore your wisdom too often. Forgive me. Help me not only to pay better attention in the coming year, but to practice your wise words. – Mike Leamon
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