Meditation

What grabs our attention in these lines is 'wisdom' breaking the "fourth wall" and talking directly to us as an audience.

Initially calling out to us in the street, where we are to be found living out our day-to-day lives. Yesterday, we copied out the initial call and setting. Today, we hear directly from the personified wisdom making her pitch, moving back and forth between the first and third person.

Listen to her because what she says is good and true...and more valuable than any worldly good. The emphasis on all these things being found at the end of each phrase (I've bolded them for effect.)

Copying this out gives you a sense of the persuasive rhythm of the writer. It's intoxicating.

Wrapped up implicitly (and explicitly) is a call to make a choice. Wisdom is appealing, offering a choice between life and death. It will be given freely to those who submit to receive it.

But will we accept?

Today's text is Proverbs 8:6-11

The verses to copy today are in black. Yesterday's verses are in grey.

Wisdom’s Call

8 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
​² At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
​³ beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
​⁴ “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
​⁵ You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

​
​⁶ Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
​⁷ My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
​⁸ All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.

​
​⁹ To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
​¹⁰ Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
​¹¹ for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.​
​

Encouragement

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you"

James 1:5

​

Andy

If you have a little more time this morning you might enjoy reading about how a "lived-in" Bible marks a "lived-out" faith here at Biblecopyclub.com. It's a moving two-minute tale.