Today’s passage: Proverbs 9
Helpful thoughts:
- The seven pillars are a picture of the completeness, the sufficiency of what wisdom calls us to. The life wisdom offers is not lacking in any way. Whatever the world offers that is contrary to wisdom is outside of wisdom’s sufficient complete offering.
- There are two perspectives we must look to in verses 7-9:
- Once you realize you are talking to a scoffer, dial it back. There is only losing down that road for everyone involved.
- When someone is loving you by speaking the truth in love, be very quick to listen and slow to speak. Be the wise person who will still be wiser when others build into you through constructive criticism.
- Both wisdom and folly cry out from the high places. There are many voices fighting for our ears and hearts. This truth has been repeated often so far in the Proverbs.
Questions to consider:
- If what wisdom offers is everything that is good, then what is left outside of wisdom for the world to offer? Why is it so foolish to reject the Lord and rush after the desires of the flesh and the world? What will a person ultimately find in that pursuit?
- Compare and contrast verses 3-6 and 14-18. What are the similarities and differences? What are the consequences of heeding their differing advice? How does the foolish obtain his bread and water? How does the one who listens to wisdom obtain his bread and flavorful wine? How does this point to the gospel?
- How often do we talk with others in a way that would encourage growth and change? How often do we offer or hear constructive criticism? What attitude would foster and encourage this in the church? What attitude would prevent it?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for your grace to us in offering wisdom and life. Thank you for the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ! We thank you for giving us bread to eat and wine to drink when folly would tell us to go thieve an inferior alternative. May we fear you and see the blessings in this life and the life to come that result from listening to and heeding your wisdom. And may your church work together as a team, a family to encourage and exhort one another in wisdom, speaking the truth in love, listening to one another in patience and thanksgiving, growing together in Christ-likeness.