Thoughts for the Day

Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
‘To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all that live.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right;
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to one who understands
and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
Riches and honour are with me,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
endowing with wealth those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Solomon imagines Wisdom as a woman - a noble, beautiful, helpful woman. She stands at the crossroads and at the entrance to the city, calling to all who will listen. She especially speaks to ordinary people, she is not confined to the lecture hall or the temple. She is not hard to find; she is not hidden away; nor is she out of reach up the top of a mountain.

But what does all this mean in practical terms? Well Solomon is not talking about intelligence or learning, as though he were saying "Go, my son, and learn about architecture, it's better for you than gold or silver!" He is talking about the Wisdom of God. We should remember that it was wisdom which he asked God to give him when he first became King (1 Kings 3.5-9). Now he offers his advice concerning this knowledge or wisdom that should be learnt from God. Solomon advises his son that the God's Wisdom is available to the simple (those with little education) and to all people. He urges them to acquire such learning, for God's instruction is better than gold and jewels.

Many theologians have pointed out that although some part of the scriptures may be difficult to understand, the basic truths of the Bible are plain to those who trust in God. My greatest example of this was my mother, Olive, who had no education other than that learnt from her mother (who had spent a little time at a "dame school). She was brought up in Costa Rica in the 1920 and 30s, yet her understanding of her faith was deep and all-encompassing. As Mark Twin once said "It's not the parts of the Bible I can’t understand that bother me; it’s the parts that I do understand." May we all allow God's Wisdom to teach us more about His Word, this day!

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Wisdom of God,
may we be open to learning
more of Your teaching from the Bible.
When we feel we have learnt enough
show us how wrong we are.
Enable us to find out how to apply
all that we have absorbed
of Your loving care for us,
to those around us.
So may we never stop showing
love to those around us,
through acts of kindness
and generosity.
Amen.