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It Takes A Village – Week 17

The book of Proverbs is a collection of writings, a good portion written by king Solomon, that biblical scholars considered to be a manual for every day living during our human existence. And wisdom- God’s wisdom- is an essential gift of the Holy Spirit that we as believers must seek in order to make good and right choices as we navigate this human experience.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:3-4

King Solomon is considered one of the most respected kings in history for his insight and wealth, but in his latter years he struggled to stay true to God in his worship tainting his views with that of other religions. The kings who succeeded Solomon on the throne often failed to keep the wisdom scribed by Solomon, many wise in their own eyes. As we read farther into the passages, we encounter the wisdom of other kings including king Hezekiak, king Lemuel and an Arab man by the name of Agur, all of whom had wisdom deemed inspired by God Himself.

At the very beginning of the book we are confronted with the greatest wisdom of them all: everything must start with God. We are encouraged bluntly to bow down to God for only fools withhold submission to the One who created all the heavens and earth. And foolishness is a term used often; a term of endearment one would not desire to be saddled with through life. But fools we are if we fail to listen to the teachings of those who have gone before us.

Life Application:

Wisdom and knowledge are two very different things when it comes to right living. We can possess great knowledge about a great many things, but a lack of wisdom is a hurdle guaranteed to trip us as we run the race of life. The writings of Proverbs are rich in detail of how we must live with each other in community for life is better lived with one another. The teachings are specific in how we must conduct ourselves in relationship: guard ourselves from those intent on evil, separate ourselves from those who love to sin, free ourselves from the gossip of a loose tongue, surround ourselves with those who choose to be wise.

We have all heard the words ‘you are the company you keep’ uttered from our parents lips, and we know this to be true. So, naturally, the village of which we are rooted will either thrive by the way we choose to love or suffer by the way we choose to live. Are we choosing to live by the wisdom of those who have gone before us learning from their mistakes so we may not make our own? Are we upholding Christ’s standard by loving our neighbour just as we desired to be loved in return?

Wisdom is the greatest of allies we can have in this life- wise in our own eyes will only fail us miserably. And for this gift we must pray for God’s Word promises that the Spirit will pour it out in abundance if only we should ask.

Father, pour out your wisdom until it saturates my bones. Help me to make right choices in how I live and love others within the village I call home. May the words of my mouth and the actions of my heart be not only pleasing to you but help me find favour in the eyes of those see me. In Jesus name, amen.

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