Proverbs 8:1-5 

¹Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? ²At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; ³beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: ⁴“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. ⁵You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

Comic Strip

            To attract arguments on the effect of high-tech gadgets, there was a comic strip shared online about one boy playing computer games. His mother called him and said,“Son, help me prepare the table for dinner.” The boy who was playing computer said, “Just a minute!” Few moments later, the mother said, “Call your siblings, and we have our dinner!” “Just a minute!” the boy responded again.

You can add your guess or wild imagination on what happened to the story.

            So, why are children not very quick to obey their parents? They are not very quick also to internalize that it favors them to obey their parents. Obedience to parents practically manifests wisdom. Wisdom is blessing from God. God blesses obedience to parents.

Let’s reflect on what was stipulated in Ephesians 6:1-3: ¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

            Take note: This is godly instruction; it was written for believers. Meaning: It is expected that commands of God can only be followed by faith in him. So, the word of God is expected to be ignored by anyone who does not trust the Lord.

We love the hymn, “Trust and obey:” “When we walk with the Lord / in the light of His Word / What a glory He sheds on our way! / While we do His good will / He abides with us still / And with all who will trust and obey / Trust and obey / for there’s no other way / To be happy in Jesus / but to trust and obey.”

            Singing this hymn with much conviction brings deeper meaning and joy in expressing our faith in Christ through the song. Obedience to Christ Jesus our Lord is the path to happiness and blessedness in Christ Jesus. What do you think?

1.  Path

¹Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? ²At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; ³beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:

Wisdom comes out loud shouting in the open for everyone. She situates herself where she can be readily recognize where she can possibly encounter anyone who desires understanding, and where everyone may possibly pass by or go through. If wisdom does not hide herself, she could be easily searched. Really?

            If wisdom is easy to search, why is it that not everyone can get wisdom? Wisdom won’t literally, verbally introduce herself to anyone. “Hey! I’m wisdom!” The Scripture says that wisdom cries aloud. Why is it that only a few posses great wisdom? What is this wisdom and understanding that calls out and cries aloud?

Unfamiliar

            Wisdom is most needed when situated in unfamiliar places. When his life was threatened, David fled to a Philistine territory? 1 Samuel 21:10-14 narrated: ¹⁰David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. ¹¹But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” ¹²David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. ¹³So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.  ¹⁴Achish said to his servants, “Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? 

            David was spared when he acted like madman. Where did he get his idea of acting like madman? Can you accept that God enabled him? David overcame a lot of dangers in his life. He killed a lion, a bear and the giant Goliath. In battle, he’s victorious. It recorded in Psalm 91:14-16, ¹⁴“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. ¹⁵He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. ¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

            By his grace, we ask God for wisdom. He graciously gives wisdom to anyone who asked him by faith. David was careful not to provoke the Philistines when acted like madman; his enemies were deceived to believe his acting. Being careful of possible disastrous situation practically manifests wisdom called prudence.

2.  Prudence

⁴“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.  ⁵You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

            Why does wisdom says, “You who are foolish, set your heart on prudence?” They ignored the call to gain wisdom. Did they think that if they set their heart to prudence, they avoid being called foolish, and they want to be called smart?

            Yet, all the more they displayed their foolishness. Why? Foolishness cannot comprehend wisdom. They cannot fathom and grasp the essentiality of wisdom.

Fancy

            A mother and child visited a garage sale. The child asked her mother, “Ma! Please give me money to buy a necklace.” When they went home, the girl showed what she bought to her father, “Dad! I bought myself a gift. It’s necklace. Look!” she proudly said. “That’s nice fancy necklace!” the father replied.

            On her birthday, the father gave a golden necklace as gift to his daughter. But the child never used it. So, the father asked, “Why don’t you wear the golden necklace I gave you?” “I like this necklace I bought for myself!” the girl replied. The girl had no idea that the golden necklace is far more precious than the fancy necklace she cherished. Similarly, foolishness has no idea how precious wisdom is.

            It’s human nature to be proud. When we admit our need for wisdom, it is humility. Humility is fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who inspires us to be humble and realize our need for wisdom. And that is when wisdom starts to function in us. Together, let us reflect on what it declares in Psalm 111:10, ¹⁰The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

The English term “Fear” should not be interpreted as being scared that you want to run away and hide. It is more appropriately interpreted as reverence of the Lord, and we want to follow and abide in him, no matter what happens. Reverent fear is best interpreted as highest respect to the awesome God.

And, the Holy Spirit gives us deeper understanding to have such mindset and desire to be with God forever, and we want him to guide and sustain us.

When it says, “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind,” this godly wisdom has concerned for all people. Wisdom originates from God.

The Lord rhetorically challenges everyone in Job 38:36, ³⁶Who has put wisdom in the innermost being, or given understanding to the mind? (NASB)

Sin prevents seeking godly wisdom. When we’ve got so much confidence and disregard any advice, the foolishness of sinful pride prevailed in us.

In contrast, when we sense the need for understanding and wisdom, it’s the transformational work of the Holy Spirit in us. Wisdom is godly attribute.

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