Reading: Proverbs 8:1-11

Wisdom cries out:

“Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man” (4).

Her voice comes from the Scriptures.

And nature.

And events.

And people.

The voice of wisdom is all around…sorta like wireless signals for my cellphone.

If my cellphone is off or off sync, I’ll miss the calls intended for me.

And if my heart is not turned on and tuned in to wisdom, I’ll miss the messages she has crafted just for me.

I often turn on my cellphone first thing in the morning.

I want to turn on my heart to wisdom with at least that much dedication and priority.

from Proverbs 8:6

A little bit more from Proverbs 8: Hear Her?

Reading: Proverbs 7

“Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman…” (4,5).

Without wisdom and understanding, he was vulnerable and easy prey for moral and spiritual corruption.

“Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house” (8).

No, no, no! Stay away! Oh, please — that’s a bad move! Stay away!

“In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night” (9).

Darkness and night — a time and season to be extra careful and watchful. Physical darkness, spiritual darkness, emotional darkness, moral darkness, cultural darkness, intellectual darkness — all times of greater peril.

“Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves” (18).

Don’t listen to her. She is only a substitute for the real thing. Even if the attraction is strong, get away!

“With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him” (21).

So be forewarned: Don’t even listen to her!

“He goeth after her straightway…” (22).

Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths” (25).

Guard your heart. Guard your way. Get away!

“For…many strong men have been slain by her” (26).

They thought strength would compensate for carelessness. They were confident they could go so far…and stop. They thought they were too strong to be victimized.

They. Were. Wrong.

Oh, Father — help! Help me and my wife in the “strength” of our middle years. Help my children in the “strength” of their youth. We are no match for this strange woman you warn us against. Deliver us from self-confidence and carelessness. Make your strength our strength. Keep us from temptation. Deliver us from evil. Teach us to keep and live by your commandments.

from Proverbs 7:24

A little bit more from Proverbs 7: Keep. Live.