June 16, 2021 -- Proverbs 31:10-12 -- pursuing lady wisdom

Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus

An excellent wife who can find?
   She is far more precious than jewels
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
   and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
   all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12 ESV

While in day-whatever-it-is now of my most recent quarantine, I have been listening to Bible podcasts to feed my faith and continue to be encouraged in the Lord. A number of months ago a friend introduced me to “The Glory-Cloud” podcasts. The two men who host it reflect on themes of the books of the Bible and in their reflections they integrate the insights of Meredith Kline, the late American, Old Testament scholar.

This passage from Proverbs 31, as explained by Kline via the men of the Glory-Cloud podcast, is not about a particular wife who is the standard to which all other women must aspire. In that sense this passage has caused many a woman to feel guilty and inadequate. Instead, the key is found in Proverbs 7 and 8. In Proverbs 7 the adulteress is a woman who leads men to their destruction. In Proverbs 8 wisdom is a woman who leads men in godliness and wisdom. Wisdom is personified as a lady who leads men to God. Wisdom is to be a desire of all. Therefore, the woman wisdom, is the great desire of all who seek to follow Jesus.

What a glorious change this perspective brings to the passage. Married or single. Young or old. Man or woman. Suddenly Proverbs 31:10ff is not a standard so high that it is used as a measuring rod to make people feel guilty. Instead, it is a glorious passage that stirs in our souls, creating in us all a greater desire to be wise. To pursue wisdom as a young man might pursue a woman. The attributes of wisdom are evident and many.

I encourage you, if you have 5 minutes, look up Proverbs 31:10-31 and read it from the perspective of the woman described there as Lady Wisdom. Think of yourself as the one who is desiring wisdom. Finally, understand that this metaphor is the desire for Jesus Himself, Who is wisdom from on high.

King Jesus, with the psalmist, I confess, I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked, those who follow the adulterous woman of the world. Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly You set the wicked in slippery places, You make them fall to ruin. Nevertheless, Father in heaven, I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand by the glorious work of Jesus Christ. You guide me with Your wise counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire beside You. Triune God, how vibrant and true, standing the test of time and generations, are Your words: “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge fools despise wisdom and instruction”. Amen.

Today’s prayer is drawn from various verses of Psalm 73 and the final sentence is Proverbs 1:7.

https://youtu.be/a1YYMSP5clM

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