Unlike the call of the adulteress who brings destruction, wisdom’s call brings prosperity. Wisdom stands at the gate, in the middle of crossroads, in the light of day calling out to people passing, and beckoning them to listen to what she has to say. As we have read before, she tells us that her wisdom is more precious than anything in the world, more than silver, gold, or rubies. What she speaks is true with no hint of evil intent.
I think this is going to be a quickie post. Chapter 7 repeats the same sentiments as Chapter 5 and Chapter 6:20-35, just using different wording.
Warning Against Adulteresses; Verses 1-27
We start out once again with a few words of encouragement, to sit up and pay attention. I’ve started seeing this as a kind of preamble to let us know that what is about to be read is important and shouldn’t be glossed over.
Warning Against Folly, Verses 1-19
Now when I read verses 1-5, they immediately made me think of Christ’s words in Matthew 5:33-37 about oaths. He makes it very simple for us. “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’, and your ‘no’ be ‘no’,” verse 37a. These few verses are warning us not to agree to anything unless we can deliver. That we should not be too rash when we give our ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ to think about whether or not we have the time or ability to follow through. But as I re-read the verses, I thought perhaps I was a little off, so I checked out what Matthew Henry had to say about these verses in his Commentary on the Old Testament and I’m sooo glad I did, because I was waaaaaaay off! These verses are about entering into a surety with a stranger. In other words, don’t cosign a loan with a stranger! If you’re doing it for a friend or relative whom you trust, ok then, but don’t enter into a legal, financial agreement with a stranger who could leave you with the full burden of the debt! God is very generous to give His people not only spiritual advice, but here it’s a bit of everyday advice as well. Looking at the verses this way now makes me think of Christ’s words in Matthew 10:16 instead which says, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” In other words…be on your guard, not everyone who claims to be your friend…is really your friend.
These are just a few of the blogs I LOVE to read! I know they are listed on the right side of my blog, but I wanted to give y’all a little blurb about each one. I made a separate Page so that I can add and tweak this list whenever I want.
If you have a favorite blog, or if you write on yourself, feel free to leave a on the My FAVE blogs page!
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Ok, I know you’re not supposed to have “favorites,” but I can’t help it, Wendy Blight’s blog Living Truth, is my favorite. Her’s was the first blog I ever read, starting back in February 2011 and it’s because of her blog that I found the wonderful women of the Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her focus is leading online Bible studies that she has written herself and y’all she is AMAZING! God has truly given her a gift for helping you dig deep into his Word. She will push you to go further with your faith, not letting you rest in a place of complacency, not allowing your faith to become lukewarm. Along with her posts that include your homework {believe me you will LOVE it!}, she takes the time to do a little vlog for each lesson as well, which you can access at anytime. Click HERE to be directed to her Bible study archive.
As I read these verses, I pictured my dad and I hanging out in the garage when I was growing up. He would be working on something way to complicated for me, while I hammered nails into a block of wood {fun times!}. Here and there, he would call me over to explain something simple that he was working on. I would listen intently, excited about whatever it was he was teaching me. As I got older, he taught me more complicated things like how to rotate my tires, change my oil, and other even more complicated tasks such as how to replace my starter, alternator, and swap out my serpentine belt {Yes, I still know how to do all that}. There were other times though, that my dad wanted to share some knowledge with me, but frankly, I thought I had better things to do, same with my mom. Instead of listening to what they had to teach me, I would either feign interest or completely blow them off :/; not my proudest moments as a daughter. I imagine I am not alone in this though. We’ve all do it at one time or another, whether it’s with our parents, teachers, coworkers, friends, or even our boss. We look like we’re listening, but it’s actually going in one ear and out the other. Proverbs 4 encourages us to sit up and pay attention, especially when it comes to the teaching of our parents.
Sorry I’m late with chapter three y’alI, but had a wedding Saturday afternoon and just didn’t have enough time to write before I had to leave. So here’s chapter three {I’m now working on chapter 4 and it should be up later today}.
Further Benefits of Wisdom, Verses 1-35
Let’s break this one down verse by verse as we check out a few more benefits of wisdom.
Moral Benefit of Wisdom, Verses 1-22
In the first six verses God tells us that when we seek wisdom, seek it with everything we’ve got as if we were searching for some great treasure, then we will NOT be disappointed. He will give us the wisdom we desire so much. That wisdom will come directly from Him. What generosity! The Lord of all creation wants to give us His very own wisdom! He doesn’t keep it hidden from us either. The wisdom we desire so much can be found through the study of His Word and through the ministry of His own Son Jesus Christ who is the Word made flesh {John 1:1}.
