Hello Church!
As followers of Jesus, we have a unique advantage over those who don't know Him. We have Holy Spirit - the 3rd person of the Godhead living on the inside of us. He is there to guide us, reveal truth, and the will of the Father. How sad it is that so many Christians live their lives without seeking Him. Imagine how different this world would be if every follower of Jesus was really living life led by the Spirit of God. I believe, according to scripture, that Holy Spirit calls out to the whole world to turn to Jesus...through us! That's our mission - filled with the Spirit of God to witness to the world about Jesus (Acts 1:8).
In today's reading we have a picture of lady Wisdom calling out to the world in the busiest part of the city - the center of commerce, the downtown core. She calls to the simple, the mockers, and the fools - those who really don't know God (20-23). Through repentance, her desire is for people to listen to her instruction, as she willingly wants to reveal her thoughts to all. Sadly, they refuse her free gift of wisdom to navigate this difficult life. Wisdom that would prevent them from future troubles, disaster and calamity (24-27). It must grieve her when people refuse her offer of wise counsel and instruction. She laughs, like God does in Psalm 2:4. Laughing as she sees the stupidity of not listening to wise counsel that would prevent lots of heartache. As in Psalm 2, people choose to lean on their own understanding, refusing the wisdom of God. It is foolishness, and worthy of laughter. Hollywood has made a whole industry of entertaining people as they watch the stupidity of humanity, making dumb decisions. Reality TV shows, bloopers, videos of America's funniest stupid decisions. We sit and laugh at the idiocy of people and their choices. God laughs too!
Then, after people get in a whole lot of trouble because of their stupid choices, they call out to Wisdom for help. She does not answer - they refused her advice; she will refuse to bail them out. She will let them reap the fruit of their decisions (28-31). Here is the conclusion of the matter: destruction for the fool who does not listen to God, and blessing for the righteous one who does:
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
and be at ease, without fear of harm.” (32-33)
Some say that Wisdom personified in the Book of Proverbs is Jesus. Some say she is Holy Spirit. Let's just split the difference and say Wisdom is God. As we go through life, living our life in the "city square", are we going to listen to the world and it's stupidity, or are we going to allow Holy Spirit to reveal the Lord's truth to us? Christians! Followers of Jesus! The world needs us to be the voice of reason, as we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us! Let's stop leaning on our own understanding as the fools are doing, and let us seek the wisdom of God. Could this be a call to the Church, as in Revelation 2 & 3, to hear what the Spirit says to the Church:
Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings. (23)
We desperately need the mind of the Lord as the world becomes more hostile and chaotic. We need Wisdom in every area of our lives! Don't leave home without Her! Don't do business without Her! Don't make decisions without Her! Don't lead your family without Her! We need the mind of the Lord! We need the leading of Holy Spirit! We need the Father's guidance! Let us choose what others refuse: Knowledge of the Holy One - the fear of the Lord (29). Listen to Wisdom!
Peace
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