Wisdom is Calling, Do We Hear?
Wisdom freely calls. That is what we are told. Do we hear? If we truly believe the inspired writer in Proverbs, then we must understand that if we lack wisdom, it is not Wisdom’s fault. Chapter 1 of the book of Proverbs gives a vivid personification of Wisdom.
Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge.
Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.
She is available to all; she is not selective and is not looking for specific people with a certain intelligence level. She is raising her voice in the open air and cries for us in the areas we travel each day! She is at the gates, in the chief places of our busy-ness, she is rebuking and begging, pouring out with generosity her words making them known to all. Then who are those who do not harken to her call? How is it that many do not see or hear her as she calls for them?
We do not miss our mother’s calling us to dinner, we do not block out the bell that rings to end a particular class period, we do not ignore our name being called in the waiting room of a doctor’s office, we even awake from sleep when our children call in the night. It is no wonder that Wisdom personified, is astonished that those who need her so desperately do not pay attention to her earnest and persistent calls.
God’s wisdom is fully expressed in the creation of the world and the workings of the universe, as Psalms 104 reminds us, “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all.” We see the spirit of wisdom given by God to those who worked to build and decorate the tabernacle, to Joshua, to Isaiah, and to many others. Ephesians 1:17 tells us that God gives the spirit of wisdom to the believers of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the revelation and knowledge of Him.
James 1:5 tells us that “if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him.” And so, there is no question that all are offered the opportunity to be wise, that all are exposed to this particular wisdom as she cries and pleads for all to listen. Each of us has been given the same opportunity to hear; in fact, to those who answer the call and come to be entertained by the wisdom described in Proverbs – the words are poured out and made known and understood! So, how can it be that so many are unwise, how can it be that so many never know the wisdom found in creation, in words that offer grace, mercy, peace, comfort, and love?
The problem for mankind is that the wisdom described and offered to everyone in these biblical texts is not the wisdom found in the halls of our universities, the laboratories of our hospitals, the chambers of our political leaders, or the news airways and media of our nations. In fact, the wisdom of God that is poured out from heavenly places is hated by fools, disregarded by the noble, and scorned by the mighty: “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26).
And so, as men and women rush about their days, pursuing the knowledge of institutions, searching answers from counselors, seeking advice from experts, and forming identities based on culture and modern thought, they miss the call of Godly wisdom standing on streets, seen in creation, and pleading in logic. The wisdom of God does not capture, it does not drag, it does not force. It calls. We must hear and be drawn to know such wisdom.
Psalm 119 repeats the sentiments of one who knows the value of this wisdom and understanding over and over again:
“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven…Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction” (89-92).
“I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts” (99-100).
“Give me understanding according to your Word…. let your judgments help me” (169, 175).
There is utter emptiness in the wisdom of this world; we are left bankrupt when our desires, pursuits, meditations, goals, and energy are spent using the wisdom of man as our guide. We must look for, seek out, and pursue Godly wisdom and understanding as it reveals itself throughout our days. The wisdom of God is not earned by birthdays; it is sought after by those who desire to have it, whatever their age and circumstances. The wisdom of God is not reserved for the highly intelligent, but rather, it is possessed by the diligent who set out to find it and work to embed it in their hearts. The wisdom of God is not mysterious or magical; it is simple and available with no hidden meanings or riddles to be solved.
And the pursuit for Godly wisdom is essential for a Christian’s life. As Jesus opens His gospel ministry, He promises to fill all those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He assures us that the spiritual blessings of one’s life are for those who have the character transformed by heavenly wisdom: the meek, those who mourn, the poor in spirit, and the pure in heart. When we hear the call, we must dismiss the wisdom of man and believe in the wisdom that is scorned and ignored by our world as simple and without value.
I will end our discussion with the beautiful passage of Proverbs 3:21-28, which expounds on the value of what a life filled with Godly wisdom looks like. May we all have lives that reflect the ornaments of sound wisdom and discretion.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.