Today I am resuming this blog which has been neglected because of my daughter’s death, and my thoughts about her which can be found in my other blog: xtremejesus.co
THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
A CHAPTER A DAY
CHAPTER 8
8 With great understanding,
Wisdom is calling out
as she stands at the crossroads
and on every hill.
She stands by the city gate
where everyone enters the city,
and she shouts:
I am calling out
to each one of you!
Good sense and sound judgment
can be yours.
Listen, because what I say
is worthwhile and right.
I always speak the truth
and refuse to tell a lie.
Every word I speak is honest,
not one is misleading
or deceptive.
If you have understanding,
you will see that my words
are just what you need.
Let instruction and knowledge
mean more to you
than silver
or the finest gold.
Wisdom is worth much more
than precious jewels
or anything else you desire.
I am Wisdom -Common Sense
is my closest friend;
I possess knowledge
and sound judgment.
If you respect the Lord,
you will hate evil.
I hate pride and conceit
and deceitful lies.
I am strong,
and I offer
sensible advice
and sound judgment.
By my power kings govern,
and rulers make laws
that are fair.
Every honest leader rules
with help from me.
I love everyone who loves me,
and I will be found by all
who honestly search.
I can make you rich and famous,
important and successful.
What you receive from me
is more valuable
than even the finest gold
or the purest silver.
I always do what is right and I give great riches
to everyone who loves me.
From the beginning,
I was with the Lord.
I was there before he began to create the earth.
At the very first,
the Lord gave life to me.
When I was born,
there were no oceans
or springs of water.
My birth was before
mountains were formed
or hills were put in place.
It happened long before God
had made the earth
or any of its fields
or even the dust.
I was there when the Lord
put the heavens in place
and stretched the sky
over the surface of the sea.
I was with him when he placed
the clouds in the sky
and created the springs
that fill the ocean.
I was there when he set
boundaries for the sea
to make it obey him,
and when he laid foundations
to support the earth.
I was right beside the Lord,
helping him plan and build.
I made him happy each day,
and I was happy at his side.
I was pleased with his world
and pleased with its people.
Pay attention, my children!
Follow my advice,
and you will be happy.
Listen carefully
to my instructions,
and you will be wise.
Come to my home each day
and listen to me.
You will find happiness.
By finding me, you find life,
and the Lord will be pleased
with you.
But if you don’t find me,
you hurt only yourself,
and if you hate me,
you are in love with death.
Is the woman with God Lady Wisdom?
Although the translation given here, the Contemporary English Version, is not eloquent, it is a profound utterance about Wisdom. It suggests that when God moved out of the Godhead to create the universe, he gave life to wisdom, who is not simply divine intelligence but a partner to God, helping God to understand what is best for created things and beings, adding as it were, common sense to God. This is very much in tune with Process Theology which states that God is not unchanged by the task of creating. If much of God is found in creation, something of creation is found in God.
Probably the image of the Torah, the five books of the Law, was already seen by Jewish thinkers as present with the creator God. These are above all teachings relevant to created life, God’s common sense. In some Christian theology the figure of wisdom is identified with Jesus, who not only brings God’s concerns to humanity, but also humanity’s to God. God is not unchanged by the creative adventure.
The quality of wisdom then, unites heaven and earth. No wonder this Lady knows she is valuable. She offers a fruitful plan for politics, for commerce, for all forms of leadership. The modern idea that politics and religion are separate spheres would have seemed daft to this author: why neglect the greatest source of happiness? Because Wisdom has shared the life-giving activity of God, she is a source of life, a means of sharing in the creative energy of God. People who neglect or reject her must be in love with death.
Arrogant leaders who imagine their own wisdom is good enough will be bringers of death. Just thinking of President Trump is enough to confirm this diagnosis.
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