Wisdom's Call
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Genesis 1:26-28
26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Philippians 2:15
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Proverbs 8
1. Does not wisdom call, does not understanding raise her voice? 2. On the heights beside the way, in the paths she takes her stand; 3. beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: 4. "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the sons of men. 5. O simple ones, learn prudence; O foolish men, pay attention. 6. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right; 7. for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 9. They are all straight to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge. 10. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; 11. for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. 12. I, wisdom, dwell in prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. 13. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. 14. I have counsel and sound wisdom, I have insight, I have strength. 15. By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; 16. by me princes rule, and nobles govern the earth. 17. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. 18. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity. 19. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. 20. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, 21. endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries. 22. The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. 23. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth; 26. before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. 27. When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28. when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29. when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30. then I was beside him, like a master workman; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31. rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the sons of men. 32. And now, my sons, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways. 33. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34. Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; 36. but he who misses me injures himself; all who hate me love death."
I know this is long. . . But there are countless notes directing us to the New Testament! Some of my notes indicate that “wisdom” is personified by Christ. John indicates that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." He was with God in the beginning because He is part of God.
God created us last—the climax to His masterpiece! And after centuries of misunderstanding, disobeying, and turning our backs to Him, He sent us one final, undeniable, unimpeachable word—wisdom personified: Jesus. He lived a life of wisdom—but not by man’s standards! He lived a life on the edge—and put himself in danger of being killed by living God’s wisdom. The beatitudes spell out clearly what Proverbs 8 establishes. Don’t seek silver and gold, power and might—seek only God’s wisdom; the power of His words, the riches of His heavenly kingdom, the might of His hand in nature and within us. We are each a part of Him—created by Him and for Him, and Christ spelled it all out for us one final time.
Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life—God’s wisdom personified.
I hope you spend your day seeking the riches of God’s heavenly kingdom, that you may be found blameless and innocent in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.
Mary
