April 16
DebDay 33: Wisdom and Folly
This week I'm reading Proverbs. Proverbs has a game plan. The first 9 chapters talk about wisdom. Then chapters 10 through 31 dole out the wisdom, some in big chunks, some bite sized.
Proverbs 9:1-6 paints a picture of Wisdom personified as a lady (true at my house) preparing a banquet and calling out to anyone passing by to come on in and eat.
The essence of the invitation is verse 4, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! To him who lacks sense..."
In the very same chapter, verses 13-18, we see different banquet host, Folly, again personified as a woman.
The essence of her invitation is (verse 16) "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! And to him who lacks sense..."
The writer, presumably Solomon, is making a point. Wisdom and Folly can seem so similar at first blush. One can seem like the other. This thing can look like that thing.
So who's to know the difference?
Chapter 8:12 is helpful here. "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion."
Wisdom has friends, housemates. "Prudence" is cautious and slower to come to conclusions. Knowledge, (in this case) is testing what is unknown by what is known. And discernment is the capacity to tell the difference between wisdom...and folly. Good roommates to have!
This week we are all confused by clashing opinions: What factors need to be in place before we can reemerge? Is herd immunity the way out? Is economic recovery now more important than continuing isolation?
All of the experts have opinions. And the experts disagree with each other.
So how can we move forward in the midst of this mess?
Let's seek the source of wisdom. Seek what was in place long before any of this present stuff happened (8:22-31)
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (9:10)
And here's where I run the risk of offending...
Let's not be experts.
Let's not post anything that only reveals our political leanings and personal preferences. Let's not publish folly that is sourced in incomplete research or perhaps in data that will end up just plain wrong. Whose projections of the curve are correct anyway?
Let's not blindly accept opinion as truth. Let's not grade one PhD against another PhD. Let's not blindly trust the internet. Let's be convinced that not everyone needs to hear our opinions on this pandemic.
Let's seek wisdom. Prudence, knowledge and discretion live with wisdom. And wisdom lives with God.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." (9:10)
-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau
