Proverbs_8

Scripture

Proverbs 8:12 and 35-36

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion... For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.

 

Observation

In this chapter of Proverbs wisdom is personified and somewhat lays out what following God looks like through this lens. It mentions the importance of knowledge, but also mentions the importance of prudence and discretion, which seems to contradict wisdom.

 

Understanding

When I a freshman in high school I had to read the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. I remember that I didn’t want to read “another book about racism (these were my words)” because I figured that’s all this book had to offer. My father told me to give it chance because I might like it, and this book introduced some of my favorite characters in a novel to this day. One of which was Calpurnia, the cook of the main family that the book focuses on. She one day takes the children to church with her where she has a run-in with one of the ladies there, and Cal defends the children but not herself. The main character (Scout) questions her about this and she responds: “Folks don’t like to have someone around knowing more than they do, it aggravates them. You’re not going to change anyone by talking right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves…” I remember this quote blowing my mind for one sheer reason… people don’t like a know-it-all or someone who always talks at them rather than with them.

And this Proverb and Cal perfectly capture the heart of wisdom: knowing when to speak knowledge and when to keep you mouth shut. The word prudence refers to regard for the future, so if we are to be people that love well and act well we must have a regard for others and our future with them. Jesus didn’t come into the world to only share what He knew. Instead He used wisdom and understanding to relate to those around Him, so that He could effectively love everyone. Wisdom is knowing when to hold your tongue despite knowing the answer. Wisdom coupled with prudence equals success in the eyes of God, but those who only speak for the sake of appearing a certain way.

 

Life Application

May we be people that do not detest wisdom and patience and replace it with only knowledge and haste. Cal ends with this: “and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.” I’m not saying revert to speaking their language, but rather know when to exercise wisdom. Let’s not aggravate but instead offer a safe listening environment, conscious about our future with this person.

-Allison Khan