Wisdom Metaphors

3/01/2019

We have been spending some time talking about how wisdom is found in a Christian perspective of being single-minded rather than double-minded. Today we will look at some of the metaphors that describe just how desirable wisdom is. I mean that we all want to be wise right? Who would say that they would desire the opposite of wisdom? Well…That would just be dumb. 

There should be a spiritual foundation within all of us that desires to mature in faith. This is an ongoing continuum for all of us. We don’t just suddenly arrive at wisdom, we are constantly faced with choices and decisions where we have the opportunity to respond properly. Again, using Peter as an example. He grew in wisdom over time from the train wreck of denying Christ, to a place where history tells us that he surrendered his life for his faith.

So, here are some of the descriptors of wisdom.

Wisdom is like…honey.

Proverbs 24:13-14 declares My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future and your hope will not be cut off. Wisdom is sweet.  It is delightful. However in order to obtain it, we will encounter the honeybee that does not easily want to part with its nectar. There will always be a challenge put forth for us to rise up to the occasion. Mark Bertrand states. “For all that wisdom promises, we are not naturally inclined to it. We would rather eat junk food. It is hard work to examine your assumptions, to test whether your view of the world corresponds to the mind of Christ. Even harder is to live consistently with your beliefs, to act out your faith in the world around you. But the consistent outworking of those beliefs and actions is what wisdom is all about. It is not a single insight. It is not a bit of knowledge. It is a way of living, a lifestyle of daily obedience.” The good news here is that God has deliberately chosen to place the Holy Spirit within us in order to help guide us through this process.

Wisdom is like… a woman calling in the streets.

Now this is interesting.  There is nothing subtle here at all. Wisdom challenges us to respond to her calling. Proverbs 1: 29-31 states Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,  and have their fill of their own devices. There is a demand and desire for a shifting from rebellion against God, to a submission to him with holy fear. It is more of a surrender than an attitude of a can do spirit.

Wisdom is like…Silver.

Proverbs 2:4-10 states if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord  and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

I love how this passage spells out what our desire to walk looks like. Wisdom is to be sought out. It does not come easily but in the process, it becomes  very valuable and pleasant to our souls.

This wisdom has nothing to do with self-righteousness in trying to earn our salvation, however it has everything to do with walking in the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is the pathway that God has chosen for his people to walk in.  Let’s walk this path with passion and humility.