Proverbs 9
Have you ever seen the film "Lawrence of Arabia"? - it tells the story of one T E Lawrence, a British Army character from the first world war era.
Lawrence wrote a book whose title was inspired by this chapter of the Bible, so let's see what we find
Wisdom has built her house, she has set up its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servants and she calls from the highest point of the city.
"Let all who as simple come to my house!"
To those who have no sense she says "Come eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed"
Leave your simple ways and you will life; walk in the way of insight.
The invitation from Wisdom certainly is not high brow, nor is it unappealing is it?
Come to wisdom and share food and wine - sounds like somebody I would like!
There is a bit of a downside being wise - I like the expression "I hate people who think they know it all - it really annoys those of us who do!", though in reality wise people know their limitations.
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults, whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you.
Sounds a bit like some politicians really, doesn't it?
Rebuke the wise and they will love you, instruct the wise and they will be wiser still
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
We get another reprise of the old verse "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Again I'll say fear could almost be translated as respect here - One should treat things like fire and electricity and hazards with respect to avoid the danger associated with them.
Back to the chapter -
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you
If you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Folly is unruly, simple and knowing nothing
(I'll leave out the bit here about the gender of folly - English is a bit unusual as a language in that we refer only to people and animate objects in terms of masculine and feminine, unlike French or German that have genders for pretty much anything!)
Like wisdom, folly sets up an invitation, but this time she offers water that is stolen, and food eaten in secret is delicious.
Little do her guests know that in effect they are eating in a morgue.
Have you ever seen the film "Lawrence of Arabia"? - it tells the story of one T E Lawrence, a British Army character from the first world war era.
Lawrence wrote a book whose title was inspired by this chapter of the Bible, so let's see what we find
Wisdom has built her house, she has set up its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servants and she calls from the highest point of the city.
"Let all who as simple come to my house!"
To those who have no sense she says "Come eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed"
Leave your simple ways and you will life; walk in the way of insight.
The invitation from Wisdom certainly is not high brow, nor is it unappealing is it?
Come to wisdom and share food and wine - sounds like somebody I would like!
There is a bit of a downside being wise - I like the expression "I hate people who think they know it all - it really annoys those of us who do!", though in reality wise people know their limitations.
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults, whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you.
Sounds a bit like some politicians really, doesn't it?
Rebuke the wise and they will love you, instruct the wise and they will be wiser still
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
We get another reprise of the old verse "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Again I'll say fear could almost be translated as respect here - One should treat things like fire and electricity and hazards with respect to avoid the danger associated with them.
Back to the chapter -
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you
If you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Folly is unruly, simple and knowing nothing
(I'll leave out the bit here about the gender of folly - English is a bit unusual as a language in that we refer only to people and animate objects in terms of masculine and feminine, unlike French or German that have genders for pretty much anything!)
Like wisdom, folly sets up an invitation, but this time she offers water that is stolen, and food eaten in secret is delicious.
Little do her guests know that in effect they are eating in a morgue.
