Tag Archive for Proverbs 9

Proverbs: Come and Get it!

2017-12-13 Devotional, Pictures of God No comments

from the devotional book, PICTURES OF GOD
Proverbs 1:20-33; 8:1-21; 9:1-6

In 2000 my wife and I got the marvelous opportunity to visit Israel and parts of Jordan, Turkey, and Greece with a seminary tour group. Wow! What a fascinating trip! If you ever get the opportunity to go there, take it!

One of my clearest memories is the vendors in that part of the world. They are extremely aggressive, shouting at everyone within ear-shot to come and buy what they’re selling. They are not bashful!

That’s what comes to mind when I read Proverbs 1:20-33. Wisdom is not a refined aristocrat. She is not only for the elite and brilliant. You don’t have to visit a university library or an ivory tower to find it. Wisdom is a street vendor, shouting in the public square and noisy avenues, “Come and get it! How long will you cling to your ignorance and trouble? Listen to me, and you will enjoy all the best of life!”

A similar picture is found in 8:1-21. Wisdom cries out at the top of her lungs, offering her blessings to all who will come and receive instruction.

“You who are simple, gain prudence…
Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 8:5, 10-11, NIV)

Then in 9:1-6, wisdom is again personified and offers a generous invitation to all. But now she is a wealthy landowner. She has built a lovely home, has prepared a rich feast with all the best food and drink, and has set the table. With the banquet ready, she now sends her maidens to the highest points of the city to call out for all to hear: “My banquet is ready! Come and enjoy all the best food and drink, free of charge! Leave your hard and foolish way of living, and start down the road of understanding!”

God’s wisdom is not reserved for the brightest and most educated. His understanding is available to all, free for the asking. All you have to do is trust and obey God. That will lead you along the wisest, smoothest, happiest, most satisfying way of life.

God is eager to share His wisdom with anyone who will receive it.

The Source of All Wisdom

2017-06-14 Devotional with Hymn, Pictures of God No comments

from the devotional book, PICTURES OF GOD
Read Proverbs 9

We say that God is omniscient. That means He knows everything. But it means more than God having all knowledge, with perfect perception and intelligence. As the Creator, all that is flows from Him. He has a complete, organic understanding of all reality, for it is from Him. He not only has perfect knowledge. He has complete and all-encompassing wisdom.

Thus if we want wisdom, if we want to understand reality and live in harmony with it, we need to know God. He is the source of all reality. He is the source of all wisdom.

Knowing Him and living in harmony with Him is the essence of wisdom. Or as the OT repeatedly affirms,

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(Proverbs 9:10, NASB. See also Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 15:33)

The wonderful truth is this: God is not only willing to show Himself and share His wisdom. He is passionately eager to share Himself and His wisdom with us. This practical promise says it simply and clearly:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, NASB)

Understand this: His wisdom involves more than factual knowledge. During difficult times in our lives, sometimes we impatiently wonder what lesson God is trying to teach us. But often the “lesson” is simply an opportunity to know Him better. He is allowing us to experience His love and faithfulness in a personal way. Wisdom is knowing Him.

God pours out His wisdom constantly and lavishly through many different avenues: through creation, through His written word, through the life of Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit, through other believers, and through special revelation—that is, through personal encounters between God and individual believers.

God is generous with His wisdom! But the question is, are you listening? And once you hear Him, how are you responding?

Listen and sing:
Hymn: God Is Speaking
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