Do you like a great adventure story? I sure do. How many times have I watched the Indiana Jones series? It’s too numerous to count. Dr. Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) may seem like a meager archeology professor, however his mind is always running in overdrive to solve legendary finds and lost treasures. But he’s not the only one. There’s always a villain or two who want to get there before he does or, at least, wants Dr. Jones to do most of the leg work only to snatch up the find right at the opportune time.
In the stories, we know he has captured some decent artifacts – which have increased his credibility in the archeological community – but the stories we are entertained by are the truly mysterious and valuable: the lost Ark, the Holy Grail, a crystal skull. The more valuable the item comes greater risk and greater reward. It is probably easy to argue that none of us have had a similar journey, not that we should compare ourselves to a fictional character, but I doubt we watched just to be entertained. I believe there’s a lot more to this: we long for our own grand quest and discovery.
How many times have you heard someone say “experiences help to define you as a person.” Do you believe it’s true? I think many times we agree with someone or something when it sounds like it’s true or has little nuggets of truth. For example, without experiences it’s hard to know how you would react to a situation. I can agree that experiences help you understand more things about yourself - that I'm selfish and make a lot of mistakes - but I struggle with the underpinnings of the statement: experiences will help define your personhood, a unique person who will have a unique way of doing things that shouldn’t be hindered from doing them. Maybe I've read too much into it, but I feel surrounded by a world that charges us to find our diversity – not that being different is bad – but encouraging diversity as the end of the means. In other words, we should try to be different. And from this, we should revel in understanding our world the way we see it and encourage others to trust their human eyes over anything else. In my opinion, this gives birth to creating our own value structure and our own personal wisdom set.
If you read Proverbs 8, though, what a contrast to the instructions the world encourages us to follow. “My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness” (v. 7). “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold” (v. 10). “Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power” (v. 14). “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind” (v .4). Do you see what I’m seeing and hearing what I’m hearing? There is but one wisdom. But that’s not the end of it. “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began (v. 22, 23).” This wisdom, the one and only wisdom, was created by God and present before the heavens and earth were formed. Human wisdom – that is wisdom apart from God – will seem like it's sound, but it is not. It has not stood before the creation of the world, it is broken, and it will fail you.
If you didn’t know it already, you are an Indiana Jones and your quest is epic: You are on a quest to find His wisdom. But if you start looking for it where He is not, don’t expect good results. His instructions are clear but many are the enemy’s traps to ensnare us. Keep your eyes focused on Him and you will find His wisdom. “Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death” (v. 33-36).
1 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrances, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O men, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.
6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have understanding and power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and all nobles who rule on earth.
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,
before his deeds of old;
23 I was appointed from eternity,
from the beginning, before the world began.
24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth,
when there were no springs abounding with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the earth or its fields
or any of the dust of the world.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
32 “Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD.
36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death.”
Proverbs 8
21 days!
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