“Some unwelcome yokefellows”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, February 21, 2022
Proverbs 3:11-20 (Forward, p. 23) CEV p. 649
Unfortunately, the way that our Scriptures are divided into chapters and verses can sometimes interfere with the flow of meaning, especially considering that the ancient Hebrew Bibles had neither. So, if we look at chapter three in its entirety (which, even in itself, is something of an artificial construct), we will see a deliberate and helpful flow of ideas:
Verses 1-10 talk about the reliability and soundness of God’s teachings and instructions and about how wise it is to trust them and obey them rather than trusting in our own understanding or judgment.
Verses 11-12 then go on to talk about the Lord’s correction, which only stands to reason if we fail to follow His ways.
Verses 13-20 follow along with this overall theme by talking about God’s wisdom and its worth and its application in daily life and in the creation of the world;
And then verses 21-35 follow up on this with instructions about how we are to apply this divine wisdom to our lives.
As I read along with this, I could not fail to notice how easy it is to have mixed feelings about these things. Yes, we are more than happy to have wisdom and enjoy its blessings, but, are we also willing to submit our wills to God’s instructions and learn from His corrections? Or, to put it more bluntly, are we willing to suspend or put to one side our own understanding and judgment in order to listen to, embrace and obey what God has to say? My guess is that our listening to God far too often takes second place, far too often happens ‘after’ we have already tried our solutions and found them wanting. I suspect that many of us have trouble humbling ourselves, playing second fiddle, and going to God first. Maybe, as we approach Lent this should be our resolve. Amen.
Forward notes: “[Wisdom’s] ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy” (verses 17-18).
“Wisdom is a fascinating quality. It’s distinct from intelligence or knowledge, both of which are easier to measure (and maybe more highly valued in the modern age). Yet a person can be wise without formal education. And we’ve all met people who, while they may be obviously smart and knowledgeable, could hardly be called wise.
“The book of Proverbs gives us a beautiful glimpse into God’s vision of wisdom. It is the force by which God created the heavens and the earth, but also the force that leads us into ever greater peace and joy. The wise person may not accumulate great wealth, but they will be able to keep their desire for wealth in perspective; they may not win every fight, but they will know what is worth fighting for. In moments when we are tempted to try to prove our own knowledge or intelligence, God may be calling us to turn toward a deeper love of wisdom instead.”
MOVING FORWARD: “How do you define wisdom?”
