Meditation

Hi there,

Passages like the one we will copy out today are what make "copy work" so exhilarating.

The first two verses express Wisdom's "delight" in being in the presence of God and His creation, "rejoicing" in it and "delighting" in mankind.

The language couldn't be more effusive or exciting. Wisdom rejoices in God’s work and, significantly, in mankind.

Divine wisdom is not an abstract principle but something that finds its highest joy in an ordered universe and the creator's relationship with mankind.

You can't copy this out and not feel excited by it.

But...Wisdom is not benign. Wisdom demands a response.

Verses 32 to 34 restate the appeal to listen before the sucker punch in the final two verses. You will choose. And it's a stark choice between love and life or hatred and death.

This most uplifting and exciting of proverbs ends on the starkest note and the sternest warning. Wisdom is a gift of God's grace that we either accept or reject.

Echoing Deuteronomy 30:19 ;

"I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

The stakes are as clear as they are eternal —Wisdom is not just a helpful tool for better "life choices;" she is the very path to life itself.

Copying out these verses today will take 5-7 minutes. You'll go from the high of verse 31 to the stark warning in verse 36.

When you write these out, you can't look away; you'll face reality...aka "Wisdom," on her terms and find her generous and approachable but demanding and uncompromising.

Today's text is Proverbs 8:30-36

Then I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
​³¹ rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

³² “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
​³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.

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​³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.

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​³⁵ For those who find me find life​
and receive favor from the Lord.
​³⁶ But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”

Encouragement

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3

Andy

If you have a little more time this morning you might enjoy reading about how 'copywork' improves your mental and physical capacities here at ​Bible Copy Club.