Proverbs 8
It has again been a while since my last post. The Prime minister (Like Voldamort, and Rumpole I call her "She who should not be named") called an unexpected snap election (well I hadn't expected it as she said she would not call one) - and lost her party's overall majority in the house of commons, Many see this as a huge own goal when the whole reason for the election was to give the government a strong mandate to say what they like to the rest of the EU.
Why start with this?
Well when I read this chapter it reads a bit like a manifesto, a call to action from none other than wisdom herself (or himself?)
So what does wisdom say, and how does she say it?
"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet she takes her stand, beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance she cries aloud"
"To you, O people, I call out, I raise my voice to all humanity
You who are simple gain prudence, you who are foolish, set your hearts on it"
I understand the the word foolish has lost some of it's strength since Biblical times - a fool used to be one with little or no moral compass rather than one who is a bit of a twit.
Wisdom does not really mince words here "Listen for I have trustworthy things to say , I open my lips to speak what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
All the words or my mouth are just, none of them is wicked or perverse."
"To the discerning all of them are right, they are upright to those who have found knowledge"
The chapter continues with some interesting things that perhaps the politicians have taken somewhat too much to heart when it comes to funding education?
"Choose my instructions instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her"
Education is incredibly valuable - any graduate will probably tell you this, but it is also expensive and I hope we, who have the benefit of a good education treasure what we have studied and gain value, wisdom and understanding (Except Laplace Transforms, I NEVER go the point of them, but I digress!)
Wisdom seems to share a house with prudence, possessing knowledge and discretion.
We have another of these Fear the LORD sentences, again I think the English word "Respect" or "Honour" are better than "To be afraid of"
"To Fear the LORD is to hate evil"
"I (Wisdom) hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech"
I've not read Pride and Prejudice, but it is probably not the same as pride and arrogance?
Wisdom has friends in high places and is the power behind the throne -
"Counsel and sound judgement are mine, I have insight, I have power, by me kings reign, and rulers issue decrees that are just, by me princes govern, and nobles - all who rule on earth"
I think those in power and their advisers need all the wisdom they can get, and I hope they find wisdom for their people' s and countries sake
Wisdom makes several promises -
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me, find me"
One thing I am very sceptical about is what is called "the prosperity Gospel" - where if you follow their teachings and send money, you will be blessed with riches and if you don't, well it is your fault for not believing enough.
However the Bible does promise riches to those who seek wisdom and understanding.
"With me are riches and honour, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than gold, what I yield surpasses choice silver"
"I walk in the way of righteousness along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full"
Like this post, the chapter is actually pretty long - Wisdom is not a new-fangled invention, wisdom is in the very creation of the planet, close to and rejoicing in the presence of the creator
To be honest, if Wisdom stood for parliament - I think she would get my vote.
"Those who find me, find life.
"But those who fail to find me harm themselves, all who hate me love death"
We've seen too many examples of people failing to find wisdom, I think to be complacent about not looking good and hard.
It has again been a while since my last post. The Prime minister (Like Voldamort, and Rumpole I call her "She who should not be named") called an unexpected snap election (well I hadn't expected it as she said she would not call one) - and lost her party's overall majority in the house of commons, Many see this as a huge own goal when the whole reason for the election was to give the government a strong mandate to say what they like to the rest of the EU.
Why start with this?
Well when I read this chapter it reads a bit like a manifesto, a call to action from none other than wisdom herself (or himself?)
So what does wisdom say, and how does she say it?
"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet she takes her stand, beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance she cries aloud"
"To you, O people, I call out, I raise my voice to all humanity
You who are simple gain prudence, you who are foolish, set your hearts on it"
I understand the the word foolish has lost some of it's strength since Biblical times - a fool used to be one with little or no moral compass rather than one who is a bit of a twit.
Wisdom does not really mince words here "Listen for I have trustworthy things to say , I open my lips to speak what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
All the words or my mouth are just, none of them is wicked or perverse."
"To the discerning all of them are right, they are upright to those who have found knowledge"
The chapter continues with some interesting things that perhaps the politicians have taken somewhat too much to heart when it comes to funding education?
"Choose my instructions instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her"
Education is incredibly valuable - any graduate will probably tell you this, but it is also expensive and I hope we, who have the benefit of a good education treasure what we have studied and gain value, wisdom and understanding (Except Laplace Transforms, I NEVER go the point of them, but I digress!)
Wisdom seems to share a house with prudence, possessing knowledge and discretion.
We have another of these Fear the LORD sentences, again I think the English word "Respect" or "Honour" are better than "To be afraid of"
"To Fear the LORD is to hate evil"
"I (Wisdom) hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech"
I've not read Pride and Prejudice, but it is probably not the same as pride and arrogance?
Wisdom has friends in high places and is the power behind the throne -
"Counsel and sound judgement are mine, I have insight, I have power, by me kings reign, and rulers issue decrees that are just, by me princes govern, and nobles - all who rule on earth"
I think those in power and their advisers need all the wisdom they can get, and I hope they find wisdom for their people' s and countries sake
Wisdom makes several promises -
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me, find me"
One thing I am very sceptical about is what is called "the prosperity Gospel" - where if you follow their teachings and send money, you will be blessed with riches and if you don't, well it is your fault for not believing enough.
However the Bible does promise riches to those who seek wisdom and understanding.
"With me are riches and honour, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than gold, what I yield surpasses choice silver"
"I walk in the way of righteousness along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full"
Like this post, the chapter is actually pretty long - Wisdom is not a new-fangled invention, wisdom is in the very creation of the planet, close to and rejoicing in the presence of the creator
To be honest, if Wisdom stood for parliament - I think she would get my vote.
"Those who find me, find life.
"But those who fail to find me harm themselves, all who hate me love death"
We've seen too many examples of people failing to find wisdom, I think to be complacent about not looking good and hard.
