Words of Wisdom (Proverbs 22:17-21)

It is so important for us to listen to encouragement and advice from our elders. What needs to be realized is that these are not controlling devices, rather, they are guard rails to keep us on the right track.

"Listen [consent and submit] to the words of the wise and apply your mind to my knowledge; for it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them." Proverbs 22:17-18, Amplified

First, the author encourages the reader to listen and apply themselves to his unique brand of wisdom. Remember that Solomon was the smartest man in the world. But this is the first step that we as believers need to take, consent and submit to the words and advice of those who are smarter and more experienced than ourselves.

We must do this because it will be pleasant for us. Notice that wisdom that comes from the Lord is never detrimental to the believer? But the more that we believe and accept advice and wisdom from the godly, it will be easier for us to confess that same advice and wisdom. If you ever have watched one of those infomercials, the people that they have selling the product believe that it works. If they did not believe, they would never be able to sell any, because one must believe what he is selling. Then, sometimes they have testimonials from customers who have purchased the product talking about how good it is.

None of this would have been possible, however, if the product had not worked. None of this would have worked if someone did not believe in the product. None of this would have been possible if someone had not confessed that belief to others.

"That your trust - belief, reliance, support and confidence - may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even your." Proverbs 22:19, Amplified

Why is he giving this advice to the reader? He is directing the reader to the Lord. This is the great litmus test of advice given. Where does it lead you. Is it something supported by the Bible. Is it something the Lord would approve of? Advice given must always draw us, push us, guide us toward the Lord. If it does not, then the advice is not good.

"Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge, to make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who have sent you?" Proverbs 22:20-21, Amplified

Solomon is reaffirming his reasons to writing these words of wisdom. This world is so full of uncertainty, but the truth never suffers ambiguity. We must receive the truth in order to give an answer to those who ask it of us.

Due Diligence in Distinguishing Dialects (Proverbs 9:13-18)

We have covered the call of wisdom in this chapter, and as we end this chapter we will cover the call of foolishness. I tis interesting, as we will find, that Solomon translates the call of foolishness the same as eh does the call of wisdom. I visited this idea in the blog entry, "Distinguishing Dialects".

"The foolish woman is noisy; she is simple and open to all forms of evil; she [willfully and recklessly] knows nothing whatever [of eternal value]." Proverbs 9:13, Amplified

It is not necessarily the words of either wisdom or foolishness that we need to immediately concern ourselves with. Rather the actions of either will be sufficient in determining which path to follow. Wisdom prepares a place of long term lodging, she gets things ready for us. Wisdom sends her servants out to invite us all to a feast. Foolishness, however, is loud and obnoxious. She cares nothing about the eternal value of things and she is focused solely on evil. There is no mistaking foolishness and wisdom when we take heed to the action that each one takes in life. But if we do not perform our due diligence, then we too are in danger of being ensnared by the wiles of foolishness.

"For she sits at the door of her house, or on a seat in the conspicuous places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who go uprightly in their way..." Proverbs 9:14-15, Amplified

Foolishness is lazy and expects others to complete the tasks of evil and frivolity for her. She sits at the door of her own house and calls to those who pass by. But everyone is not her demographic. she targets those who go uprightly in their way. Those who have already been ensnared by the wiles of the devil have no need for foolishness to seek them out. She targets only those who are on a different path, a better path. It is like those new commercials on television for MGD 64. There are only 64 calories in this particular beer, but if you were to get only 64 calories in any other drink, then you would really receive nothing. So please drink this beer, because it is healthier than any other alternative and you get a whole bottle's worth. Marketers know how to market and push their product. They speak in a language that certain consumers can understand. They appeal to a certain mindset. This commercial is geared toward those who are health conscious but wish to have a more fun social life. MGD 64 promises to bring that fun, without the hassle of weight gain.

"Whoever is simple, wavering and easily led astray, let him turn in here! And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him..." Proverbs 9:16, Amplified

This is where we must put two and two together. The message of wisdom and folly are identical (though in this version of the Bible they differ slightly). It is the action of the two that we must pay heed to, then make a decision and follow the voice of the one that we choose. I pray that the choice will always be for wisdom. But the message of foolishness does not end here.

"Stolen waters [pleasures] are sweet [because they are forbidden], and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." Proverbs 9:17, Amplified

There is something alluring about doing what is wrong. The forbidden things in life seem to be all the more sweet because of the nature of sin. I will have to say that in my own experience I have to say that this is a very true statement. There have been times that I have felt the pleasures of sin in secret and enjoyed every minute of it because it was taboo. But what foolishness refuses to disclose, is that emptiness fills the soul of one given over to sin. It soon becomes a race to fill that void with stolen bread. It is impossible. Wisdom, however, has a feast where there is meat and wine available to the consumer. There is substance to the things that wisdom offers, whereas foolishness will offer nothing of her own invention.

"But he does not know that the shades of the dead are there [specters haunting the scene of past transgressions], and that her invited guests are [already sunk] in the depths of Sheol [the lower world, Hades]." Proverbs 9:18, Amplified

If our due diligence is not performed when both wisdom and foolishness call, then we can expect to fall into the clutches of foolishness. It is our nature to turn in a different direction than God. All who have partaken in certain lifestyles that sin offers have died, but the pleasures of the moment overcome the stories of the past. Sinners partaking in sin do not think that the same end will come upon them, but I am here to say that things have not changed in a long time. When we think of Sodom we think of sexual sin, am I right? But the true sin of Sodom was listed for us in Ezekiel, "Look, this was the iniquity of you sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit." (Ezekiel 16:49-50, NKJV) This sin that is normally attributed to Sodom is actually listed very last.

The point that I am trying to make is that foolishness will distract in anyway possible. As long as you are better than the next guy, then you are not that bad. To partake in any of the stolen water or bread of folly is truly a mistake. Pleasures last a moment, but the teachings of wisdom last a lifetime.

Distinguishing Dialects (Proverbs 9:1-6)

Wisdom and folly have a similar agenda, both wish to convert humanity. What I mean by this is that either one calls out desiring to grab hold of our hearts. We must then learn how to distinguish between the two. It is like having a gentleman from England and a gentleman from Australia standing in front of you. Not knowing where either is from, can you determine the home land of either? The process may be difficult, but it is possible. Each accent differs from the other. Wisdom and folly are the same way, only the message differs slightly.

"Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out out and set up her seven [perfect number of] pillars." Proverbs 9:1, Amplified

Wisdom has prepared a place for humanity to reside. The house is built on seven pillars, perhaps on center pillar with six peripheral pillars, each one dependent on the other. Seven is the number of perfection or completion. Seven days complete one week; seven color make up the rainbow - white light breaks down into red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. But what are the seven pillars that make up the house of wisdom? "But wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17, NKJV) I do not believe in coincidences in the Bible, I believe that James wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit and this Easter egg was placed here for us to find.

"She has killed her beasts, she has mixed her [spiritual] wine, she has also set her table." Proverbs 9:2, Amplified

There is a feast being prepared for the recipients of wisdom. A certain reward awaits humanity when it heeds the call of wisdom. But even before the call goes out to humanity, wisdom prepares the feat. True wisdom prepares, how many can someone expect to heed the call of wisdom? It is unknown, yet wisdom takes the opportunity to prepare.

"She has sent out her maids to cry from the highest places of the town, Whoever is simple [easily led astray, wavering], let him turn in here! As for him who lacks understanding, [God's] Wisdom says to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the [spiritual] wine which I have mixed." Proverbs 9:3-5, Amplified

In the New King James version of the Bible, verses 4 and 16 are identical. This is where we need to differentiate the dialects. Both calls appeal to the simple. Both calls cater to those who do not understand. It is the result of heeding the call that separates the two. I will not give away the result of heeding folly, yet. However, if the call of wisdom is heeded then a feast ha already been prepared for humanity to partake in. Time and effort has gone into this preparation as well as skill and care.

"Leave off, simple ones - forsake the foolish and simple-minded - and live! And walk in the way of insight and understanding." Proverbs 9:6, Amplified

When the call of wisdom is heeded, a lifestyle change must take place. Notice how those who heeded are not called wise as of yet. She tells the simple to "leave off". Wisdom takes time to cultivate in the hearts and minds of men. But to initiate that cultivation one must begin with some outside influences. Forsake the simple-minded around you. There are those who are not as like-minded as you and would throw stumbling blocks in your path. To forsake the simple-minded leaves all the more room for the voice of wisdom. Less static translates to better reception.

Wisdom Cries Out (Proverbs 8:1-11)

Everyday, wisdom calls out to man. It is the duty of wisdom to ensure that man is well equipped to sustain himself in life. Too many times, however, man has ignored the call of wisdom. Wisdom is excellent and she desires to bestow her gifts upon man, but he must first heed the call.

"Does not skillful and godly wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice? [In contrast to the loose woman.] Proverbs 8:1, Amplified

I am not sure if this is the idea that Solomon was trying to convey, but the translator of the Amplified Bible seems to think so. It is interesting how the loose woman of chapter seven was discrete and walked around searching out the simple. If chapter seven and eight are one continues proverbs, then yes I would agree with the translation of this translation.

With all the other translations that I have read over the years I have never interpreted this verse in quite this fashion. Wisdom has always been calling out for man. Within one century man went from driving in horse drawn carriages to flying to the moon. Advances in medicine are being made everyday. All this wisdom is given by the Lord, but the true wisdom that Solomon is speaking of is the moral wisdom of life. How is one to live his life on this earth. Morally and ethically. I believe that not all Christians have truly heard and heeded this call of wisdom. But the day is coming when all will understand, and all will know. Wisdom cannot and will not be ignored forever.

"On the top of the heights beside the way where the paths meet, stands Wisdom, skillful and godly..." Proverbs 8:2, Amplified

Did you catch that? Wisdom stands by the way where the paths meet. In other words, Wisdom stands at the cross roads in life. There are certain junctures in life where wisdom makes herself available. When you have two doors open for career opportunity, pray for wisdom. Finances are tight and you have one of two bills to pay, pray for wisdom.

Wisdom also makes her stand in the heights. she is hidden from no one. There are no secret hand shakes, no elusive quests. Pray for wisdom, listen for the cry of wisdom. Wisdom will be found by any who seek it out.

"At the gates of the city at the entrance of the town, at the coming in at the doors she cries out..." Proverbs 8:3, Amplified

The city gates is where the elders would sit and all important decisions would be made. When reading the book of Ruth, the finale takes place at the gate of the city. If a man were to seek out wisdom, it is there that he would go.

I love the Lord. He is making painfully obvious that wisdom is readily available to everyone who will heed the call. Not only is that wisdom available, but also where to find wisdom.

"To you, O men, I call, and my voice is directed tot he sons of men. O you simple and thoughtless, understand prudence; and, you [self-confident] fools, be of an understanding heart." Proverbs 8:4-5, Amplified

Wisdom call out and first states to whom she is addressing herself. She is calling to all men and all generations. She is calling out to the simple and the foolish. To both she calls for an understanding. The heart is where all growth begins. In the parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, Jesus speaks of the four different types of soils and only one is ready to hear and understand and receive the Word which will bring forth either a thirty, sixty or a hundred fold of what was sown. "Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times..." (Isaiah 32:6, NKJV) Today is a day of wisdom.

"Hear, for I speak excellent and princely things; and the opening of my lips shall be for right things." Proverbs 8:6, Amplified

What wisdom speaks is excellent and right. She even speaks princely things. This tells us that we will receive the same wisdom as royalty. Wisdom does not change nor is it biased. The prince and the pauper receive the same wisdom. The thief and the priest receive the same wisdom. Right and excellent is the way of wisdom.

"For my mouth shall utter truth, and wrong doing is detestable and loathsome to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous - upright and in right standing with God; there is nothing contrary to truth or crooked in them." Proverbs 8:7-8, Amplified

Wisdom is in this place of right standing with God. We cannot pull it down to our level, rather we must step up into wisdom. As we heed the call of wisdom, all wrong doing will become detestable and loathsome to ourselves. In heeding the wisdom of God, we begin to take on the traits of that wisdom. We become in right standing with God. We come to a place in our walk where we are no longer living contrary to God, nor is the path of our feet crooked, rather straight and narrow.

"They are all plain to him who understands [and opens his heart], and right to those who find knowledge [and live by it]." Proverbs 8:9, Amplified

Once we come to a place of openness, we come to find that the truths and ways of wisdom are very plain. In Greek mythology, for a hero to find wisdom he had to subject himself to fantastic tasks. It seemed impossible, and was intended to do so. Man was never intended to receive the knowledge of the gods. But our one God desires for us to have that wisdom, to live decent and prudent lives. Once that acceptance of the heart comes, then we can live out wisdom through practical application. As we live out this wisdom in our lives one can find there is no wrong found in right living.

"Receive my instruction in preference to [striving for] silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all the things that may be desired are not compared to it." Proverbs 8:10-11, Amplified

Riches and wealth and the acquisition of stuff cannot be compared to rubies or gold or silver. How is a ruby supposed to help you in making a moral decision? It cannot. As a matter of fact, it has been proven throughout the years that riches have corrupted the heart. True wisdom has no price on it. It is free for all who seek for it and it is priceless for those who find it. "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. The deep says, 'It is not in me.'; the sea says, 'It is not with me.' It cannot be purchased for gold, nor can silver be weighed for its price." (Job 28:12-15, NKJV)

The call of wisdom is not finished. Wisdom has more to say.

The Call of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-33)

Just as sin calls for the believer, so too does wisdom. Wisdom has just as big a stake in our lives as sin. It is our duty and responsibility to decide which of the two to follow. As we continue to go through the book of Proverbs, we will see this dichotomy many times more. Both call to the believer, both promise to deliver something to the believer, both are tempting to follow, but only one is true, only one is right.

"Wisdom cries aloud in the streets; she raises her voice in the markets. She cries at the head of the noisy intersections - in the chief gathering places - at the entrance of the city gates she speaks..." Proverbs 1:20-21, Amplified

This is wisdoms endeavor to find us. She seeks us out. Just as sin surrounds us, so too wisdom surrounds us. She is relentless in her pursuit of us.

"How long, O simple ones and open [to evil], will you love being simple? And he scoffers delight in scoffing, and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge?" Proverbs 1:22, Amplified

Wisdom poses an honest question. How long? I know that when I sin, the enjoyment may be for a minute, however, that joy is soon replaced by disgust. I do not hate myself, but i do hate the actions and choices that I made to get me to that place of disgust. Nonetheless, the question deserves an answer. How long can one continue to love being simple, or a scoffer or a fool? The question is posed, I feel, for the same reason that the disgust wells up inside of myself. There is no true fulfillment in neither of these things. Simplicity leaves no room for growth, but wisdom is a continually growing dynamic. Scoffing keeps pushing different things away because nothing truly satisfies whereas wisdom embraces things to glean from because the Lord is the Maker and Creator of all things. And the fool has said in his heart that there is no God, but wisdom knows God and loves God.

"If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom], will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you." Proverbs 1:23, Amplified

This is the promise of wisdom, to pour itself out on the one who finds it. In order to find wisdom, one must repent from sin. Repent simply means to make a 180 degree turn in our lives. If we are not running to the Lord then we are running from Him, if we are not running from Him then we are running toward Him. With repentance comes an openness to what the Lord has to say to us. As sinners, none of us wants to speak to a holy and just God. But as a believer, we can envelope every word He has for us. The Lords wisdom is not detrimental to us all, no harm will come from listening to the Lord.

"Because I have called you and you refused [to answer], I have stretched out my hand and no man heeded it, but you have treated as nothing my counsel, and would accept none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when the thing comes that shall cause you terror and panic, when your panic comes as a storm and desolation, and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you." Proverbs 1:24-27, Amplified

Wisdom has no choice but to mock the one who denies it. Wisdom is full of knowledge and logic; for one to suffer because they would not listen to that knowledge or logic is quite ironic. But notice the continued promise of wisdom. She states that "when you calamity comes". Make no mistake, the refusal of wisdom will result in calamity. And what happens when that calamity comes? Zechariah speaks of this event in his book, "'But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,' says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 7:11-13, NKJV)

"Then will they call upon me [Wisdom], but I will not answer; they will seek me early and diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel, and despised my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be satisfied of their own devices." Proverbs 1:28-31, Amplified

Hindsight is always 20/20. There will come that day when the simple will remember the call of wisdom, but it will be to late. Wisdom has nothing but good things for us, but the offer is not available to us forever. Now I am not saying that there are some the Lord cannot reach, but there are those who harden themselves so much that they make themselves unreachable. We are constantly molding our future by the choices that we make.

"For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the careless ease of [self-confident] fools shall destroy them." Proverbs 1:32, Amplified

It is inevitable that a fool will undue himself, but fools are not fools only for themselves. "For the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity; to practice ungodliness, to utter error against the Lord, to keep the hungry unsatisfied, and will cause to drink of the thirsty to fail." (Isaiah 32:6, NKJV)

"But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom], shall dwell securely and in confident trust, and shall be quiet without fear or dread of evil." Proverbs 1:33, Amplified

To heed the call of wisdom leads to a life of security. To listen to the words of wisdom leads to a life of safety. To answer the call of wisdom leads to a life without fear.