The Feminine Nature of Wisdom

 Wisdom is is spoken of as a woman in parts of Proverbs and i have been fascinated by that idea. This 'personification' is not actual... but it does reflect an aspect of human nature.

"The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man." - Genesis 2:20-22 ESV

Adam was missing something. He was incomplete. This morning i am seeing that rib as language and mathematics. Human things that are descriptive. God is transcendent. He is beyond what he has created but he took something human and made a woman to complete 'him' (humanity). Be His companion.

He gave us what we could never have alone.... wisdom... the rib became a woman... the logos (information) becomes a rhema (logical God breathed illumination).

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these - keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught." - Proverbs 3:13-26 ESV

Wisdom isn't a person we can meet like in Greek mythology... She is a gift we can treasure and a way we can operate. A companion both men and women can have so we are not alone in this world. Our 'plus one' who comes with us to commune with God and whispers insight into our ears about what she sees in those meetings.

"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man." - Proverbs 8:22-31 ESV

We are made in God's image and wisdom is an impartation He has given us if we want it and woo it and value it. We can be fools. Information can just be a tool for our selfishness but it doesn't have to be... she can make us noble.

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The Music Of Proverbs 14

Taking a bath in Proverbs chapter 14 this morning...

Each verse is like a note in a beautiful song... rising up one by one and then down with unexpected changes.

Those who don't believe we have free will can't have gone deeply into this book. It is all about how things are, who we choose to be and what likely happens because of choices made.

Here is a taste...

"A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance. The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways." - Proverbs 14:5-14 ESV

Wash, rinse, repeat...

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Grace In Proverbs Chapter Sixteen

The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom of all kinds. I marvel at it often. This morning I'm reading chapter 16 again and again and asking God to teach me. Grace is what I want to learn because grace is the channel by which God manifests all His other characteristics. Grace is the master key to the application of wisdom.

We could go verse by verse and gain so much but here are a few bits and pieces.

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud." - Proverbs 16:18-19 ESV

Yes! What am I looking for... the big score or the company of the humble?

"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." - Proverbs 16:1-3 ESV

The theme I'm seeing this morning in this chapter is the heart attitude that fuels ambition. Like any man I want to see big things happen. There is nothing wrong with that. Who is going to make those things happen?

"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work." - Proverbs 16:9-11 ESV

All the weights are in God's bag. Those weights are 'grace' weights. They are perfectly balanced. No funny business here. God honestly functions in grace all the time.

The royal mind listens to a faithful witness. Am I listening to a faithful witness? The Bible tells me who I am and what I am. It also describes God. Has grace and mercy done it's humbling work so that I have ears to hear? That is what I long for.

"Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." - Proverbs 16:22-25 ESV

I lean hard on God. I can be a proud man with arrogance ideas and methods but there is another way. Grace. I must have it. I do have it. It has been given to me. Jesus never leaves me or forsakes me. He is the lowly One I want to keep company with. He is the King who has right words. His words of grace are like a honeycomb.

I want the great things He will do. I meditate on the great things He has done. I want to think big in vision but have a humble mind. Only He can produce that in me.

Yes God. Fill us with your Spirit. Put our feet firmly on the ground as our minds are focused on Heaven. Let Your will be done around us and around all those that love you and need You. You are the Alpha and Omega. Your work is perfect work.

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Love, Trust And Wisdom In Proverbs Chapter Three

I am reading Proverbs chapter 3 this morning. It is so rich in wisdom.

Here are just a few consecutive thoughts...

"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man." - Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

"Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." - Proverbs 3:7-8 ESV

Love, trust and wisdom all are found in God. We derive and mingle these fine attributes with God regularly and there are specify benefits involved in these exchanges.

God is gracious so don't 'Let love forsake you.' In other words don't get left behind by a quality that would never willingly leave you behind. Don't believe a lie about love. If we let God love us we will have a favor that rests on our life that other people will see and want around. Joseph would not let love forsake him and though he faced prisons he also was favored by the Pharaoh who recognized the greatness he was connected to.

Trust in God that leans consistently on God produces a straightness in our direction, a single-mindedness, that becomes evident.

There is something refreshing about saying no to things... not because you have carefully mulled them over but just because that run contrary to what you know to be true. Awe of God and wisdom from His mind simplify what could easily be a very complicated life.

Favor, refreshment and a clear road ahead. Nice. God's grace simplifies a complex world.

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Making the Trip Home

"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts!" Psalms 84:1b NKJV

Reading Psalm 84 over and over again. What a Psalm. It is like proverb after proverb strung together. Truth wrapped in praise and longing.

"My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young - Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God." Psalms 84:1-3 NKJV

God's house is our home. It is a miracle that there is a place at the table for everyone who comes. It is a place where they are safe to do the most important things in life like giving birth and raising a family

"Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools." Psalms 84:4-6 NKJV

Notice the three aspects of interpreting a proverb from (September 17, 2013)

> Synonymous Parallelism (Repetitious) - Repeating to reinforce a truth
> Antithetic Parallelism (Contrastive) - Just as one side or concept is true
> the other opposite concept is also true
> Synthetic Parallelism (Completive) - Expanding a truth with a new or
> reinforcing truth

The Selah is a trigger for this kind of contemplation and thought. These three concepts can be in our mind as we read and worship.

Blessed people who call the tabernacle their home are a thankful people. Those same people find strength in God (linked to living at the tabernacle) so their heart makes journeys to find God even when they are far away. They cry but their tears change the landscape. Their tears are mingled with tears from Heaven to become beautiful drinking places.

"They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah" Psalms 84:7-8 NKJV

Each one is strengthened. Each one has an audience with God..

'Jacob's God' refers you back to Jacob's life... a liar... a wrestler... a man blessed in spite of himself... fruitful with many children... humble and having power to bless others in the end... If you heard his prayer God hear mine. If grace is the order of the day then I will make claims based on grace.

The Psalmist leverages grace. God must make room and God must hear him because it is the nature of His deity. God's track record demands it.

"O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed." Psalms 84:9 NKJV

Jesus is our shield. In a sense we blind God with the glory of His Son and sneak into His house, sit on His couch and raid His refrigerator as one of the family.

"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalms 84:10 NKJV

Now we have an antithetic parallelism after many synonymous and synthetic ones (see above). The worship builds and builds in intimacy then breaks into a comparison. It reinforces truth to block against future temptation that is coming down the road. When the Psalmist is tempted or when he feels like Jacob he goes back in his mind to where he lives... God's house.

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!" Psalms 84:11-12 NKJV

Those who live in God's house are not there because of merit. They are guests of the Son and the Father is blinded by His Son's glory. All guests are honored guests. God's house has many mansions. Jesus left long ago to prepare a place for us. We have one now if we want it and make claim to it. Even if we stray it lies waiting for us. It will be beyond what we imagine when we see it with our own eyes.

I can read this Psalm as Jacob but my heart makes a pilgrimage and returns home as Israel. Yes... We worship You God.

"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts!" Psalms 84:1b NKJV

Some Meditations in Proverbs chapter Twenty-Three

Reading Proverbs chapter 23 this morning... truly great wisdom regarding the inner man.

"When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food." Prov 23:1-3 ESV

A worldly leaders lead by power, influence and a balance of debt. He will seek to make you indebted in some way to increase his influence.

Spiritual leaders present the removal of debt. After all Christ erased all debt.

"Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words." Prov 23:6-8 ESV

I like the word 'stingy' here. It is literally 'evil eye' but stingy works very well. The freedom presented here is one devoid of grace and mercy. It is apart from holiness. It is bait with a hook hidden in the midst of it. There is a strange inner calculation going on with an appearance of freedom. It is a freedom that robs you. It is the embrace that you find later was really for the purpose of stealing your now missing wallet. Our freedom is not the freedom of a 'stingy' person. Our fellowship is not 'networking.' Our love has no calculation.

"Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words." Prov 23:9 ESV

There are times when you have one thing to say to someone. If you say more, no matter how well meaning, it will just dilute what has been said and open up a pathway to mockery. We can be confident in love and it's power. It doesn't need our help.

"Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you. Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge." Prov 23:10-12 ESV

Here we see a restraint that is apart from law. The inner man that is instructed in grace becomes established and boundaries of honor are formed. Knowledge of God's presence creates invisible boundaries that don't need fences to be imposed to define their limits.

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol." Prov 23-13-14 ESV

Spiritual attachments are not sentimental. Reality is comprised of higher realms of the unseen and as friends we must wound each other at times. Those wounds are far better than deceptive kisses (see Prov 27:6).

"My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right. Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way." Prov 23:15-19 ESV

The 'stingy' man trusts primarily in leverage of some kind. But there is a upper highway of wisdom and worship that his feet will never see. It is a clean place that only the redeemed can walk. The new life has hope. It is possible to envy empty laughter... to miss the fact that the happy scene you see is really a set for of props on a stage that lacks substance.

Christ is the true path. To travel by His direction is a life of substance.

"Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags." Prov 23:20-21 ESV

Feeding our appetites only steals our time. Time that could be spent being about our Father's business.

"Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways." Prov 23:22-26 ESV

Wow. So much is in all of these verses. I like that the emphasis is not of doing or ever duplicating in some way. We need only behold grace to be changed by it.

"For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well. She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. 'They struck me,' you will say, 'but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.' " Prov 23:27-35 ESV

Instant gratification is a snare.

God gives liberty in Christ. The upper highway is a protected road but out in the wilderness there are all kinds of dangers. We need a light to illuminate our pathways. God has given us light. The Bible is that lamp. Christ is our compass. He will navigate our way today. There will be voices calling to direct us to a broader way. Let's not be fooled by their sound.