January 14th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Choose Wisdom

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Today Lord, I want to give, tell, and live Your gift through me to the world. Help me to do so.

Read PROVERBS 8:1-21

[1] Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? [2] On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; [3] beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: [4] “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. [5] You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. [6] Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. [7] My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. [8] All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. [9] To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. [10] Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, [11] for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. [12] “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. [13] To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. [14] Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. [15] By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; [16] by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. [17] I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. [18] With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. [19] My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. [20] I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, [21] bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

Before reading today’s passage, think about the cross and what it means. Thank God for how that meaning is being worked out in your life.

Think Further

Today the “praise of wisdom, which has welled up already in Proverbs, now breaks out in a sustained appeal of great beauty and immense range” (Derek Kidner). What is referred to here, however, is much more than an abstract way of seeing and engaging with the world. It points to the personification of wisdom, namely Jesus Christ himself (1 Cor. 1:24,30). Over the past two weeks, we’ve listened to Jesus and watched him act and there is much that ought to resonate with us. For instance, just as Jesus enters the workplace (Luke 5:4-7), so, too, is the wisdom of God as relevant there (2,3) as it is in heaven (22). And just as Jesus responds with love to those who seek him out, so wisdom does the same (17).

Compare this wonderful description of the nature and benefits of wisdom with what you know about Jesus. Wisdom is announced with a calling out and raising of the voice, reminiscent of John the Baptist’s preparation of the way for the Messiah, Jesus (Luke 3:4). When Jesus dealt with Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, he demonstrated the qualities of wisdom described in vs. 12-14. Jesus’ message is for all humankind and not for the Jews alone, as is wisdom’s (4). His concern for justice announced in his inaugural speech is shared by wisdom, too (8,15,20).

At the heart of this passage is an invitation to make a choice. We either rely on wisdom’s instruction and godly knowledge to make our way in the world, or upon money and material things (10,11,19). We make this choice daily in small things as well as large. Will we choose to live “the Jesus way,” dependent upon him who is wisdom personified?

Apply

Talk and pray with a friend about ways in which you might help each other grow in godly wisdom. What practical steps can you take to support one another in this?

Closing prayer

Father, often I allow the world to squeeze me into its mold. Forgive me that I too readily conform to the world.

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