February 13, 2023

“Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice? 2On the top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand; 3Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: 4“To you, O men, I call, And my voice is directed to the sons of men.5“O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense; And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living]. 6“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.”

Proverbs 8:1-6 AMP

As we are working our way through the book of Proverbs, it is becoming more evident that knowledge and wisdom are intimately connected to God’s Word. In the opening verse of Proverbs 8, Solomon paints again a picture of God’s Word calling out to those who will listen! The word “wisdom” here is the Hebrew word meaning “the capacity to understand and so have skill in living, implying adherence to a set moral standard.” We read in the book of Deuteronomy Chapter 4,

““Look, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may do them in the land which you are entering to possess. 6So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God [is to us] whenever we call on Him? 8Or what great nation has statutes and judgments so righteous (upright, just) as this whole law which I am [a]placing before you today?”

Deuteronomy 4:5-8 AMP

Can you see it? The demonstration of a wise and understanding people is keeping the precepts of God! Wisdom is not a passive understanding but rather an active demonstration of the truth. Look at the descriptors used here, cry out, lift up; I call, and I will speak! All words of action. And where is this action taking place? “2On the top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand.” God is calling to us in the moments of decision. In the book of James we read,

“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. 7For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].” 

James 1:5-8 AMP

Joel tells us that there are many about to suffer God’s judgement but are weighing their options.

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision (judgment)! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision [when judgment is executed]. 

Joel 3:14 AMP

God has always called out to the lost,

““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.”

Isaiah 1:18 AMP

When you find yourself in the valley of decision, what will you do? I encourage you to call out to God, who gives generously and promises the right answer if only you would listen!

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken