Thread: Wisdom IS A SHE... That Bestows Well-Being
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Wisdom IS A SHE... That Bestows Well-Being
Posted : 4 Apr, 2018 04:25 PM
Proverbs 3 New International Version (NIV)
3 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
My son, do not despise the Lord�s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. By wisdom the Lord laid the earth�s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, �Come back tomorrow and I�ll give it to you�� when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason�when they have done you no harm. Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
The Lord�s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Women in the Bible For Dummies By Rev. John Trigilio, Jr., Rev. Kenneth Brighenti
The Book of Wisdom (sometimes called the Wisdom of Solomon) doesn�t mention any women by name. (You can find the Book of Wisdom in the Apocrypha of Protestant Bibles or in the Deuterocanon of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles.) What it does do, however, is refer to Wisdom, in concept, as a feminine entity.
In the Christian sense, wisdom isn�t the same as truth or knowledge. Wisdom isn�t just intellectual insight or book learning, either. Wisdom is the ability to make good judgments. A wise person doesn�t have to be the most intelligent or the most accurate but does have to be someone who knows what to do with the knowledge he or she has, where to find more, and how to apply it. The author of the Book of Wisdom underscores the connection of wisdom with righteousness.
THE PERSONIFICATION OF WISDOM: The Bible, of course, is a collection of different books, by different authors, in different places and times, with different narrative formats. Besides the historical narrative of straight storytelling, the Bible also includes various literary devices, including the following:
Personification: Attributing personal qualities and characteristics to abstract ideas or inanimate objects
Allegory: Using symbolic fictional figures to represent abstract concepts
Metaphor: Using an implied comparison between objects or events to indicate an analogous relationship
Typology: Usingthe Christian doctrine that says that events and people in the Old Testament prefigure the events, particularly the coming of Christ, in the New Testament
The Book of Wisdom uses personification. In this case, wisdom is spoken of as a woman, even beyond using simple feminine grammatical endings. The Hebrew word chakmah, like its Greek (sophia) and Latin (sapientia) equivalents, is a noun with feminine gender. Even outside the Book of Wisdom, this device is employed � Proverbs 1�9 not only uses the word wisdom but also speaks of wisdom as if it�s a she.
�The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her� (Wisdom 6:17).
�I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be, and I will hide no secrets from you, but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation, and make knowledge of her clear, and I will not pass by the truth� (Wisdom 6:22).
�For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things� (Wisdom 7:24).
�With you is wisdom, she who knows your works and was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments� (Wisdom 9:9).
�Wisdom rescued from troubles those who served her� (Wisdom 10:9).
Wisdom is called the �fashioner of all things� (Wisdom 7:22). She has a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, humane, steadfast, sure, and free from anxiety (Wisdom 7:22�23). She is easily found and quickly recognized. She swiftly goes to anyone who earnestly seeks her.
WHY THE ALLURING IMAGE? Wisdom is presented as more than an abstract concept like justice. By personifying wisdom as a woman, the abstract idea becomes more immediate and attainable. And the description, beautiful and poetic as it is, makes Lady Wisdom someone you want to know and know well. As described, wisdom becomes someone whose company you enjoy and look forward to. She is approachable to anyone and everyone. The goodness of your heart and purity of your spirit � not your I.Q. � is what attracts wisdom. The desire and resolve to do what is right and just in the eyes of God are the first steps toward wisdom that anyone and everyone can take, if they so choose.
DECIPHERING BIBLICAL INTENTIONS: Wisdom is portrayed as a lady� a woman of social status, refinement, charm, and wit. But why? Some Bible scholars believe that the feminine is used because in ancient Old Testament times many women weren�t taught to read and write as were their male counterparts. Knowledge, especially gained through reading, was described in masculine terms, whereas wisdom, which wasn�t derived from book knowledge but from experience and from communication with God, was described in feminine terms because women had access to wisdom even if many of them were illiterate. Other scholars propose that the �lady� terminology is a literary device to depict wisdom as an honorable, noble, beautiful, elegant, and cultured object in itself while using a personification technique to give some intimacy to wisdom as well. But the Bible never actually explains why wisdom is portrayed as a lady, just that it does.
Although a few contemporary authors have proposed some controversial theories, like the idea that Lady Wisdom is the feminine side of God, most accredited scripture scholars offer a deeper reason why wisdom is referred to as a feminine concept. God is a pure spirit, unlike human beings, who are body and soul. Our sexuality and gender are a part of who we are because they�re important components of our physical makeup. God, however, is neither male nor female, neither masculine nor feminine (Galatians 3:28). Wisdom can�t be the feminine side of God. Neither is wisdom a goddess to parallel God the Father, as believe some philosophies. If not a deity, then who is wisdom? Here are some ideas that scholars have proposed:
Wisdom as described in the Book of Solomon is a type of lady suitable to become the bride of an equally honorable, virtuous, intelligent, and respected groom. (Type refers to someone or something in the Old Testament that prefigures someone or something in the New Testament.) Who�s the lucky guy? Christ. Wisdom was intended to be the image of the future bride of Christ � the Christian church. The image of Christ as groom and of the church as his bride is first used by Paul and later by many of the fathers and doctors of the church. In this scenario, wisdom is united to Christ but distinct and separate from him. Wisdom is considered created by God and endowed with the highest authority and respect.
The Gnostic sect of the ancient church did in fact deify wisdom to the level of a goddess, or at least a demigod. For Gnostics, salvation was secret knowledge (gnosis in Greek), which only the few and elite could possess. Logos (Greek for �word� and often used in reference to Christ as the Word of God) and sophia (Greek for �wisdom�) were seen as complementary powers that only the learned could appreciate.
Wisdom is a type (biblical prefigure) of the Holy Spirit, which is revealed only in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit gives the gift of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to the apostles at Pentecost.
Lady Wisdom is a type (biblical prefigure) of the Virgin Mary, who becomes intimately connected to the Logos, the Word, often used to identify Christ: �And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us�(John 1:14).
Christ is given the name Logos, which denotes knowledge of truth: �I am the way, and the truth, and the life� (John 14:6). Wisdom (sophia) is a little different, however, because it�s considered the bride of the Word made flesh, or Jesus Christ.
Bride and bridegroom is an image used heavily in the Bible, not just at a realistic level, as in the case of Adam and Eve, but also in the typological sense. For example, the relationship between God and the Hebrews � the �Chosen People� � is described as a spousal union. Even when the people become unfaithful by experimenting with idolatry, the covenant is not dissolved, and the union is intact. Later, when Paul uses the same image, both bride and groom are portrayed as faithful partners in this covenant of love. Similarly, the Word and Wisdom are faithful partners � the ultimate biblical bride and groom.
2 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding�indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 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 holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair�every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life. Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
Ella, I have asked you many times if you believe the following Scriptures are the inspired words of God. Why do continually refuse to give any kind of an answer??
I Timothy 2:11: A **WOMAN** should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a **WOMEN** **TO TEACH** or to assume authority **OVER A MAN**!
I Corinthians 15:34,35:**WOMEN** should remain silent in the churches, They are not allowed **TO SPEAK**, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about anything, they should ask their husbands at home; for it is **DISGRACEFUL** for a **WOMAN** **TO SPEAK IN THE CHURCH**!!
2 Peter 3:15,16: Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our **DEAR BROTHER PAUL** also wrote you with the **WISDOM GOD GAVE TO HIM**. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand {To unbelievers} which **IGNORANT AND UNSTABLE PEOPLE DISTORT**, as they do other Scriptures, to their own **DESTRUCTION**!
I Timothy 3:16,17: All Scripture is **GOD-BREATHEED** and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead and in view of His appearing and His Kingdom, I give you this charge: **PREACH THE WORD**; be prepared in season in out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear!!
I Peter 1:23-25: For you have been **BORN AGAIN**, not of perishable seed but the imperishable, through the living and enduring **WORD OF GOD**. For all people are like grass, and all their glory is like flowers in the field; the grass withers and the flowers fail, but the **WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER**!!
This is off topic... nevertheless, I was compelled to share this...
HOW AWESOME IS THIS???!!!
Multi-cultural/racial Non-Denominational/Baptist Church - about 263 on roll membership; about 170-175 PLUS, faithful members who attend regularly; 80 or 90 plus Sunday School attendance, including children; 13 PASTORAL CANDIDATES - 2 FEMALES, 11 MALES; 3 PASTORAL CANDIDATES in the finals; 1 FEMALE 2 MALES... AND I'M THE ONE FEMALE CANDIDATE IN THE FINALS WITH THE 2 MALES FOR THE PASTORAL POSITION!
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young�let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance�for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Listen, my son, to your father�s instruction and do not forsake your mother�s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, �Come along with us; let�s lie in wait for innocent blood, let�s ambush some harmless soul; let�s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot�� my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!
These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.
Wisdom�s Rebuke:
Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: �How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you�when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
�Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.
Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.�
