Seek Wisdom and Understanding (Insight)

“My son, remember what I say, and treasure my commands. Obey my commands, and you will live. Guard my teachings as you would your own eyes. Remind yourself of them; write them on your heart as if on a tablet. Treat wisdom as a sister, and make understanding your closest friend” (Proverbs 7:1-4, NCV).

The “my son” sections of Proverbs put much store on gaining wisdom and understanding. Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of the Old and New Testament (Zondervan, 2006) defines “wisdom” as “aptitude, experience, good sense, skill”. Wisdom has its source in God and begins with the fear (awe, reverence, respect) of God. Understanding is the ability to apply wisdom and has as a synonym insight. The sage told his young student to guard wisdom as he would his own eyes. This is significant, because “to understand” is “to see” and to be able to perceive how to live a righteous and God-fearing life. Wisdom and understanding will guard the person against all manner of evil and help him (her) to live a God-guided and productive life.

Proverbs was written in Hebrew poetic form, as we saw earlier in this series of devotionals on selected Proverbs. Being a poet of sorts, I tried my hand at expressing thoughts on wisdom and understanding (insight) in a free verse poem. In it I personify Wisdom as a sister and Insight as a friend, as does Proverbs. I offer my poem as my own thoughts on this important cited scripture from Proverbs 7.

Wisdom, My Sister ~ Insight, My Friend

Wisdom, you knock at my mind’s door today seeking entrance.
I welcome you.
We talk, as sisters, discussing family matters—
The health of a dear one, the welfare of another.
From our conversation we conclude
That this day, too, like all our past and future,
Is in God’s hands and we will rest secure
In hope and prayer.
Thank you, Sister Wisdom.
Your visit has brought me joy.

Another knock I hear.
Answering, I find Insight standing there,
My dear and noble friend.
What do Insight and I have to share
As sunlight floods the sky,
As sounds of commerce blast the quietness
And as a new day begins?
Insight tells me I am not to fear.
“No problem will arise today
That God and I can’t handle together.”
This thought, much more than a repeated adage,
Is ingrained in my beliefs,
A vital part of my thinking and actions.
When I am prone to turn aside
From responsibilities and possibilities,
Insight whispers:
“You can do this! Don’t give up!
You do not know how widespread can be
Your response from accepting opportunity!”

As another day launches
Sister Wisdom makes her visit
And Friend Insight encourages me.
Their messages impact my day
And my life.

I thank you, Lord, for Wisdom and Insight.
Keep me alert to follow them for they come from You. Amen.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, July 5, 2010