Thursday, May 23, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Proverbs 8:1–21

Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
“To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all that live.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right;
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to one who understands
and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
I, wisdom, live with prudence,
and I attain knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
I have good advice and sound wisdom;
I have insight, I have strength.
By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
by me rulers rule,
and nobles, all who govern rightly.
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
endowing with wealth those who love me,
and filling their treasuries. (NRSV)

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Reflection

In this proverb, Wisdom speaks to us, personified, detailing how with her by your side, with her riches that surpass gold and silver, we are enhanced. That those who seek her shall find her. How wonderful it would be if Wisdom was a great friend, there to call on in need, literally to be beside you. I enjoy this metaphor, because so often wisdom seems bought at a great price: the price of a broken heart, of a disappointment, of the painful knowledge that life is not fair.

Wisdom, some say is experience, while knowledge is information. That wisdom is knowledge embodied, and that knowledge alone is not all that we need. Book smart versus street smart. Instead, we can take away from this passage in Proverbs that Wisdom is a caring nurturer rather than a harsh teacher. That she is there for us to call on her to draw closer to God.

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Prayer
Dear Lord of Wisdom and Knowledge, let us be at your mercy to understand, to be aware, to know, and to change. Let us learn from you, the embodied wisdom and knowledge of all, and nurture us to seek you as we are always learning. Amen.

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Written by Jessica Wang, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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