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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Andy Robb and are based on Proverbs 8 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
1 Kings 3:4-28, 1 Kings 4:29-34, 1 Kings 10:1-29
1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: 4 “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. 5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. 6 Listen, for I have trustworthy 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
Sunday April 20 - Are you listening?
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? “...I raise my voice to all humanity.” Proverbs 8:1,4
We live in the age of scammers – of unscrupulous people who attempt to deceptively lead us astray. As we continue this week through Proverbs it’s worth reminding ourselves that throughout this Bible book there is always another voice seeking to contend with that of Wisdom – and that is Folly. Proverbs portrays folly as the antithesis of wisdom and as one who seeks to entice those drawn to its voice down a dangerous path. As the major author of Proverbs, Solomon later stated, ‘There is nothing new under the sun’ (Ecclesiastes 1:9). From the outset of creation, the Deceiver (Satan) has made it his goal to lure humanity away from God’s best.
In reminding ourselves that the wisdom Proverbs refers to is from God, this then begs the question why anyone would listen to another voice other than his? I would suggest that the answer lies in the degree to which pride resides in our hearts. Don’t forget that Adam clearly heard God’s voice – his wisdom – telling him not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and yet he did eat. Essentially it boils down to that wonderful gift which God has given us all – that of free will. We get to choose whether we humbly heed his voice or pridefully listen to the voice of the deceiver. The following prayer will help us to make the right choice.
Resurrected Lord Jesus, I choose not only to listen to your voice, but to receive the wisdom which flows from it. Amen.
are right; they are upright to those who have found 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 behaviour and perverse speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. 15 By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; 16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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