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Wisdom’s Credentials

July 28, 2014 By Peter Krol

Rowan WickEven if you like baseball, you probably haven’t heard of Rowan Wick, but someday you might. He rocked our town earlier this summer, but now he’s gone.

The State College Spikes are a Single-A short season minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Our family goes to enough games that we feel like we get to know the players. This season, Rowan Wick needed only 19 games to break the Spikes’ single-season home run record. After Wick’s 14 homers, 38 RBIs, and a .378 batting average, the Cardinals decided it was time to move him up the chain, and they relocated him to the Peoria Chiefs in Illinois.

We miss Wick and the high-strung energy that rippled through the stadium when he was at the plate. But he was well-qualified for the next level of baseball, and his credentials earned him a place of honor and advancement in the Cardinals franchise.

Similarly, Proverbs 8:22-31 describes wisdom’s qualifications for honor and advancement. In this chapter, Solomon has already promised wisdom’s surprising availability and unimaginable fruit. Now he backs up his assertions with some particular credentials.

Wisdom is the Lord’s Possession

The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of old. (Prov 8:22, ESV)

Wisdom is an affiliate, not an independent. Because wisdom belongs to the Lord, those who find wisdom find God’s favor (Prov 8:35). And because godly wisdom provides a pipeline to the God of wisdom, becoming wise and drawing near to God are the same. You can’t know God without receiving his instruction and becoming more like him.

The point is this: Seeking wisdom is seeking the Lord.

Wisdom was brought forth before God made the world

Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first dust of the world. (Prov 8:23-26)

Observe the fourfold “before” and the double repetition of “I was brought forth.” There’s a sense in which wisdom is passive; it exists because God chose to bring it out. Before the Lord made anything tangible—before his work of shaping the earth—he brought forth wisdom and paraded it around.

In other words, wisdom is more fundamental and central to existence than any other created thing. That’s why wisdom is better than jewels (Prov 8:11) and gold (Prov 8:19). Wisdom is more intimate and satisfying than sexual activity (Prov 7:4-5). Nothing we desire compares with wisdom (Prov 3:15). If we get anything at all on earth, it should be wisdom and insight (Prov 4:7).

The point is this: Life without wisdom isn’t truly life.

Wisdom was present when God made the world

When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
then I was beside him,
like a master workman. (Prov 8:27-30a)

Notice how “I was brought forth” in the previous stanza (Prov 8:24-25) has shifted to “I was there” (Prov 8:27) and “I was beside him” (Prov 8:30). Wisdom was present in the world from Day 1. When God created the heavens and the earth, wisdom saw what God did and how he did it. Wisdom saw what worked and gained experience as a “master workman” (Prov 8:30).

The point is this: The way of wisdom is tried and true. God’s wisdom makes the most sense of how the world works.

Wisdom delights

I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man. (Prov 8:30b-31)

In this stanza, wisdom finally gets active. It goes from being possessed, being brought forth, and being present to delighting and rejoicing.

Wisdom delights in two ways: It is both delightful to God and delighting in others. Note the progression:

  1. God delights in wisdom.
  2. Wisdom rejoices before God.
  3. Wisdom rejoices in the world.
  4. Wisdom delights in humanity.

God didn’t implant the world with wisdom because it would kill joy. No, quite the opposite. He knew wisdom’s delight would go viral. He understood that his world would be dull without wisdom. What use would sex and money and music and sports and hiking and productivity all be if we couldn’t know the fear of the Lord, receive instruction about how life works best, find satisfaction in God’s ways, and have hope that anything can change? “Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness” (Eccl 2:13-14).

And joy will be joyful only when we know the joy God has in us.

The point is this: Wisdom gives you eyes to see who alone can make you happy.

Filed Under: Proverbs Tagged With: Creation, God's Wisdom, Proverbs, Rowan Wick, Satisfaction, State College Spikes

5 Things the Wise Person Can Do

July 21, 2014 By Peter Krol

Because God implanted his wisdom in this world, wisdom empowers us for life in this world. It doesn’t take us out of this world into vague, ethereal, or escapist sentiments. Thus, true wisdom will never lead us into otherworldly practices like denying pain (Prov 3:11-12), forbidding pleasure (Prov 5:18-19), or romanticizing the past (Eccl 7:10).

In Proverbs 8:12-21, we saw 5 things wisdom won’t do in this life. The wise person will take these things to heart and apply them diligently.

Because wisdom won’t run out (Prov 8:12), you can always draw on it. Wisdom is available to you, and it will always be available to you. You don’t have to rely on the experts to tell you what to think, and you don’t have to wait on authority figures to tell you what to do. Your questions are not beyond God’s concern, and your problems are not beyond God’s reach. And when same-sex marriage is universally legalized and religious freedom is broadly rejected, it won’t mean that divine wisdom has failed or gone on vacation. We shouldn’t get so uptight about increased hostility, lost opportunity, or apparently restricted liberty. Such things cannot thwart God’s kingdom and gospel from advancing. “And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, we will not fear for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us” (Martin Luther).Martin Luther

Because wisdom won’t pander to pride (Prov 8:13), you can relinquish your self-interest. You won’t get what you want by demanding it. And just because you don’t have to rely on experts or wait on authorities—it doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from anyone. You’re not always the expert or the authority; God made you to function in community with others. If you don’t have to protect or defend yourself, you’re free to hate the evil within you as much as the Lord does. Only then will you find the wisdom you need to put it to death. Luther again: “No man can glory in thy sight; all must alike confess thy might and live alone by mercy.”

Because wisdom won’t let you down (Prov 8:14-16), you have every reason to execute your responsibility faithfully. You can move into your own place. You can buy that house; you can learn that skill. You can work hard, even under a harsh supervisor. You can love and respect your spouse, even if it’s not returned. You can discipline your children consistently, even if it feels like you’ll do nothing but spank them all day (the feeling isn’t true!). You can lead your own Bible study this year. You can tame your tongue. You can set aside sexual immorality. The Spirit of wisdom—the Spirit of God—can do all these things and more through you. More Luther: “Christ is himself the joy of all, the Sun that warms and lights us. By his grace he doth impart eternal sunshine to the heart; the night of sin is ended! Alleluia!”

Because wisdom won’t play hard to get (Prov 8:17), you have only to ask. There’s nothing to complain about. You don’t need to make more money or buy more books. You don’t need to go to seminary or Bible college. You don’t have to earn your way. You don’t have to prove yourself. You have not because you ask not. Everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. Those who knock are the ones who have all the open doors. There’s no mystery here; you can try it now: “God, please give me wisdom for _____________. My only hope is Christ. Amen.” Luther once again nails it: “Christ alone our souls will feed; he is our meat and drink indeed. Faith lives upon no other!”

Because wisdom won’t leave you empty-handed (Prov 8:18-21), you have everything to gain by seeking it! Sure, you might spend some money or sacrifice financial stability. You might give up some free time that could have been spent on amusement. You’ll risk misunderstanding or ridicule if you look too fanatical. But what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Guess who: “Happy the man who feareth God, whose feet his holy ways have trod; thine own good hand shall nourish thee, and well and happy shalt thou be.”

Filed Under: Proverbs Tagged With: Fear of the Lord, God's Wisdom, Humility, Martin Luther, Proverbs, Wordly Wisdom

The New Testament Uses the Old Testament

July 16, 2014 By Peter Krol

scrollThe apostle Paul provoked an uproar up and down the Roman empire with a simple, two-point message:

  1. The Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead

  2. The Messiah is Jesus

He staked these claims in the soil of Scripture.  Luke tells of his stint in Thessalonica:

And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.’ (Acts 17:2-3, ESV)

The citizens of Berea wouldn’t take it on Paul’s word alone.  They had to see it for themselves:

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica [who ended up attacking both Paul and his message]; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

Paul wasn’t the only one to use this method of reasoning.  Every apostle used the Old Testament to explain this great message about Jesus, and many of them wrote it down for us in the New Testament.  Some authors were more explicit in their use of the Old Testament than others.  And we can learn much from them about how to read the Old Testament ourselves.

To that end, I’ve compiled a few lists to help launch you into the delightful world of intertestamental hermeneutics (a big phrase that simply means “how the New Testament authors understood the Old Testament”).

These lists won’t give you a complete understanding of the Old Testament and how it speaks of Jesus.  But they will direct you to the passages that most explicitly influenced the apostles’ thinking.  May they help you see Jesus more clearly.

Top 10 OT books quoted in NT

10 OT books never quoted in NT

Top 13 OT chapters quoted in NT

Top 11 OT verses quoted in NT

Top 10 NT books that quote OT passages

10 NT books that don’t quote the OT

Now go, you Berean, and see if these things are so. Check out the Resources page for an exhaustive list of NT quotations of the OT.

Question: What do you think about how the NT authors used the OT?

Filed Under: Sample Bible Studies Tagged With: Jesus Focus, New Testament, Old Testament, Quotes

Who is Buried in Abraham’s Tomb?

July 14, 2014 By Peter Krol

rp_Image-Empty-Tomb-300x160.jpgGenesis 23:1-20 tells a strange episode in the life of Abraham: the negotiation and purchase of a grave site – the cave of Machpelah – for his wife, Sarah.  Coming between the climactic tale of (almost) sacrificing Isaac on Mount Moriah (Gen 22:1-24) and the procuring of a wife for Isaac (Gen 24:1-67), the narrative of Genesis 23 seems out-of-place and awkward.  It can be difficult to see any point to this chapter beyond Abraham’s bereavement of his dear wife.

Consider, however, who ends up buried in this tomb: both Sarah (Gen 23:19) and Abraham himself (Gen 25:9-10).  Also, Isaac, Isaac’s beloved wife Rebekah, Jacob, and Jacob’s unloved wife Leah (Gen 49:29-30, 49: 31-32, 50:12-13).

Notice specifically that Rachel, the wife whom Jacob loved most, was not buried there (Gen 35:19-20).

Why is this tomb given such emphasis in the narratives of Genesis?  I have some suggestions:

  1. It was the only piece of land Abraham ever owned, even though he was promised all of Canaan (Gen 17:8).  Thus, it was a bit of a deposit or foretaste on the promise.
  2. Abraham refused to receive it as a gift from any man (just read how extensive the negotiations were in Gen 23:6-16).  He was fully committed to owning it legally, publicly, and personally.
  3. This foretaste of the promise for Abraham and the next few generations came only as each person died.  They did not enjoy it in their lives; only in their deaths.
  4. As they died in faith, these men and women received part, but not all, of what was promised to them (Heb 11:13-14).
  5. They would only receive the full promise along with us (Heb 11:39-40).
  6. Those buried in this tomb were those who were to become ancestors of the son of promise.  Remember that it was Leah, not Rachel, buried in the cave.  Leah was the woman who gave birth to Judah, from whom came David and Jesus.

In short, knowing who would be buried in the tomb at Machpelah is the key to understanding why it gets so much press in Genesis 23.  Abraham’s investment in the tomb represents his faith in God’s promise to send a Son who would crush Satan (Gen 3:15) and enable God’s people to live with him forever in close companionship (the point of the “Promised Land” of Canaan – see Gen 17:7-8, overturning the fall in Gen 3:23-24).

The only real estate Abraham ever owned was that tomb.  His descendant Jesus didn’t even own his own tomb (Matt 27:59-60), but he fulfilled every promise (2 Cor 1:20) and brought us into eternal fellowship with God (Eph 2:13-16).

Filed Under: Sample Bible Studies Tagged With: Abraham, Genesis, Machpelah

5 Things Wisdom Won’t Do

July 7, 2014 By Peter Krol

Evan Leeson (2008), Creative Commons

Evan Leeson (2008), Creative Commons

We often think of wisdom as something otherworldly, like the sound of one hand clapping or the ability to be incomprehensibly vague. That’s why we find Eastern mysticism so alluring, and why we fall for crazy, less-than-biblical, escapist sentiments like “leave all your cares behind as you come into worship this morning.”

And in Proverbs 8, Wisdom’s great praise of herself, Solomon will clarify that wisdom is otherworldly. Or more precisely, pre-worldly (Prov 8:22-31). But before he gets there, he makes sure to inform us that wisdom’s effects and benefits are very much this-worldly.

Remember Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back? He gave his student, Luke, a chance to raise his star fighter from the swamp by means of “the Force.” When Luke assumed Yoda was asking the impossible, Yoda proved he was not by performing the task himself. In response to Luke’s exasperated “I don’t believe it,” Yoda’s retort summarizes the problem with other-worldly mysticism: “That is why you fail.”

Do you believe wisdom can make a difference in your life now? Do you understand that wisdom will not take you away from your life but toward it? Wisdom will give you not only the insight but also the motivation and the gumption to do what God wants you to do. And it will be worth it.

Through my study of Proverbs 1-7, I’ve written many posts on what wisdom does, including:

  • helping you honor God with your money
  • coping with disappointment
  • gaining satisfaction
  • learning humility
  • finding hope that anything can change
  • protecting against sexual immorality

Here in Proverbs 8:12-21, we see 5 things wisdom won’t ever do in this life, according to God’s promise.

Wisdom won’t run out

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
    and I find knowledge and discretion. (Prov 8:12, ESV)

Wisdom dwells with prudence. If she gets lonely, she knows how to find knowledge and discretion. Her friends are legion, and her well of insight cannot dry up. You will never exhaust what wisdom can do for you. Complicated relationship? Unforeseen financial crisis? Physiological changes? Wisdom always has more to offer.

Wisdom won’t pander to pride

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and perverted speech I hate. (Prov 8:13)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7), setting you on wisdom’s path. The alternate path—the way of evil—has its own beginning, which wisdom despises: pride, arrogance, and perverted speech. Wisdom won’t let you promote yourself with arrogant thoughts or words that pervert the truth about you. This is in your best interest, because God won’t have to oppose you (Prov 3:34).

Wisdom won’t let you down

I have counsel and sound wisdom;
    I have insight; I have strength.
By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
by me princes rule,
    and nobles, all who govern justly. (Prov 8:14-16)

Wisdom will strengthen you to execute your responsibility well. Wisdom has both insight and strength. If you are a king, wisdom enables you to reign and make just decrees. If you’re a mere prince or noble, you have the same promise. In other words, if God has given you a responsibility, his wisdom will help you to carry it out.

Wisdom won’t play hard to get

I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently find me. (Prov 8:17)

All you must do is seek her, and she’s yours. What are you waiting for?

Wisdom won’t leave you empty-handed

Riches and honor are with me,
    enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
    in the paths of justice,
granting an inheritance to those who love me,
    and filling their treasuries.” (Prov 8:18-21)

Wisdom has riches and honor for you, but not the kind of riches and honor you might think. This stuff is enduring wealth (Prov 8:18), nothing less than complete righteousness and favor with God (Prov 8:35).

Here’s the rub: To get what wisdom offers in this world, you must give up what you can get from this world. Since fearing the Lord means giving up all claims to self-righteousness, you must come empty-handed. But the empty hand that loves wisdom becomes a full and bursting treasury (Prov 8:21).

Filed Under: Proverbs Tagged With: God's Wisdom, Pride, Proverbs, Worldly Wisdom, Yoda

Assurance Requires Exposure

June 30, 2014 By Peter Krol

I’m taking a short break from my Monday Proverbs study for this reflection on assurance from 1 John.

‘Tis the season for going to the pool, which means I get to do more reading than usual. But I can’t sit comfortably poolside unless I have assurance of my children’s safety, which involves:

  1. Strategic positioning to see all pool areas.
  2. Head counts every 5 minutes.

If I can’t see a child, I must get up and walk around until I have all the facts. Only when the facts come to light can I rest assured and return to my literary bliss.

This process is also true of the Christian life. John wrote his first letter to those who believe in Jesus, to give them assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13). But assurance requires exposure. There can be no assurance without first exposing the cold facts. Though John will give three tests for assurance (obedience, love, and confessing Christ), we cannot evaluate our lives without first exposing them (1 John 1:5-2:2). And we’ll never be comfortable with exposure unless we know 3 things.

1. God’s nature is to expose

John’s message is simple: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Any hint of darkness is incompatible with this God who is light. God is not like light or with the light. He is light; it’s his nature to be light, to shine light.

James Wheeler (2013), Creative Commons

James Wheeler (2013), Creative Commons

What does light do? It shines in the darkness, but the darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5). When God—light—is in the picture, there is nowhere to hide. There is no such thing as “under cover of darkness.” God is a constant illuminator. He is the great exposer. You can’t know God and avoid the light. You can’t be a Christian and keep parts of your life hidden in the dark.

2. We don’t respond well to exposure

The fact that God illuminates and exposes rightly terrifies. So we use a few tactics to cope with this God-light.

Tactic #1: Shore up our defenses

We say we have fellowship with God, but walk in darkness (1 John 1:6). In other words, we talk a lot about God, but very little about ourselves. We love the sentiments of a relationship with God (love, joy, peace, etc.), but we hate the threat of total disclosure.

For example, I’ve always struggled with my weight and body image, and I hate myself for it. I want to keep this part of my life tucked in a dark corner never to come out. I spend too much time in front of the mirror…until someone else walks into the bathroom. Then I’m happy to pretend I wasn’t fixated on my appearance.

How will we ever come out of hiding? John gives both motivation and power (1 John 1:7):

  • Motivation: We have fellowship with one another.
  • Power: The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

It’s worth it to walk in the light.

Tactic #2: Deny our sinfulness

We say we have no sin (1 John 1:8). In other words, we talk a lot about ourselves, but very little about God and his view of sin. We see ourselves as “nice,” “innocent,” or even “good.” We deny that our fundamental identity apart from Christ is “sinner.”

For example, I don’t see myself as a “glutton”; I just like food. I’m not “greedy”; I like my hobbies. I’m not a “gossip”; I’m merely concerned about the situation.

How will we ever acknowledge the truth? John reminds us that God is both faithful and just (1 John 1:9):

  • Faithful: He has promised to forgive those who confess their sin, and he must keep his word.
  • Just: Jesus paid for those who trust in him, so God must forgive them when they turn.

Because the faithful and just God already executed his wrath on his Son for you, you are free to label things accurately. The Bible calls such labeling “confession.”

Tactic #3: Refuse to change

We say we have not sinned (1 John 1:10). In other words, we talk a lot about what we did right, but very little about what we did wrong. The difference between tactics 2 and 3 is the difference between general and particular. This third tactic represents a move from the broad “I’m not a sinner” to the specific “This thing I did was not sin.”

For example, it might be easy for me to admit being a prideful person. But if I never ‘fess up to specific instances where I have acted pridefully, I haven’t yet begun walking in the light. I must connect recent behaviors with long-standing patterns. I must take ownership to search and destroy the issue in my life, without waiting for others to point it out to me.

How will we ever be free to stop defending ourselves and make changes? John reminds us that we already have a double defense in Jesus (1 John 2:1-2).

3. Jesus defends the exposed

John doesn’t want us to sin, but if anyone does sin, we have two lines of defense. If we don’t feel the need to defend ourselves, we might be willing to risk true exposure.

As a defense attorney

We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). An advocate argues for the accused before the judge. God, the great judge, the exposer of all people, allows only one attorney into his courtroom. If you have Jesus, you have one who pleads for you—not because you are righteous, but because he is.

As a defense barrier

He is the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2). A propitiation is a defense barrier. Jesus is like the bulletproof vest that prevents rounds of ammunition from penetrating your vital organs. He is like a baseball glove that absorbs the shock from the foul ball that almost knocked you silly.

Every time you sin and face exposure, you rightly sense God’s displeasure hurtling toward you. And every time, Jesus still deflects the blow. Not by dying again (that happened only once for all), but by reminding the Father of his death and by pleading your case.

You can’t have acquittal without a trial. You can’t have a trial without a defendant. You can’t have a defendant without charges of wrongdoing. You can’t have charges of wrongdoing without exposure. Thus, we must be exposed before we can be acquitted.

It usually doesn’t feel good, but what could be better for you?

Filed Under: Sample Bible Studies Tagged With: 1 John, Assurance, Confession, Exposure, Sanctification

How to Love What Wisdom Loves

June 23, 2014 By Peter Krol

Desires are not as ingrained as we sometimes make them out to be. We treat them as part of our identity, as though “dog-lover” or “outdoorsman” are written somewhere in our genetic code. But a child who hates vegetables might enjoy broccoli after giving it a chance. And a man who gets dumped by the “love of his life” one week can discover sudden feelings for a new gal the next.

DesireWhen the Lord exposes sinful desires, he expects to win us through offering something better. He expects our desires to change as we trust in Christ. Thus, simple ones can learn prudence and fools can learn sense (Prov 8:5) when they find that all they may desire cannot compare with wisdom (Prov 8:11).

We’ve seen in Proverbs 8:1-11 that wisdom is available to those who choose truth over wickedness, righteousness over crookedness, and instruction over material gain. Last week I gave a few diagnostic questions to test where you might be on each spectrum. If you find yourself living for wickedness, crookedness, or material gain, God wants you to change. Do you believe it’s possible?

For those who love wickedness over truth, know that Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). He came into the world to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37). He spoke not on his own authority, but he spoke only what the Father commanded him to speak (John 12:49-50). Jesus spoke truth while he was on earth, and then he sent the Spirit of truth to guide us into all the truth (John 16:13). Though we set aside the truth for our wicked desires, Jesus never did. And when we trust in him, his Spirit won’t allow us to get too far from the truth.

For those who love crookedness over righteousness, know that Jesus is the righteous one (1 John 2:1). If you sin and get distracted from God’s straight path, you have an approved advocate before the Father. Jesus speaks as your defense attorney, arguing your case before the judge. And Jesus acts as your defense barrier (the meaning of “propitiation“), intercepting God’s wrath against your unholy desires and choices (1 John 2:2).

For those who love material gain over instruction, know that Jesus became to you wisdom from God (1 Cor 1:30). He who was rich became poor for your sake, so you through his poverty might become rich (2 Cor 8:9). He endured the cross, despising the shame, all for the joy set before him (Heb 12:2) – the joy of winning you!

Armed with this good news, you’re free to make different choices.

Gaze upon Christ the Truth, and you will love the truth. Spend more time in the Word, because it means spending more time with Jesus. Speak the truth to others, because you love them enough to bring them to Jesus. Get help with your finances and choose not to click the porn link, because you know the truth – that these things will make you more miserable and lead you away from Christ the Truth.

Gaze upon Jesus Christ the righteous, and you will love righteousness. Your life will become far more clear as the crookedness straightens out. Decisions will be easier, because the fogginess of sinful self-justification will lift. You’ll learn to choose to love God and love your neighbor, for on these two straightforward principles hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Gaze upon Jesus your wisdom from God, and you will love instruction. You’ll find that which you could never pay for. You’ll receive that which you could not earn. Your heart will soften, your sin won’t feel like something worth protecting, and you’ll know the fear of the Lord and the joy of godly change. Your stuff will become more useful than ever before, because you’ll see it as a tool for the kingdom and not as the end of happiness. You’ll be able to use it without having it use you.

So what should you do when you don’t love what wisdom loves? Love something else. Love Jesus, and you’ll learn some sense in the process.

Filed Under: Proverbs Tagged With: Desire, God's Wisdom, Jesus Focus, Proverbs, Sanctification

Do You Love What Wisdom Loves?

June 16, 2014 By Peter Krol

Wisdom is available to all people who choose truth over wickedness, righteousness over crookedness, and instruction over material gain (Prov 8:1-11). Are you one of those people? The following questions may shake loose some areas for you to consider further application.

Koshy Koshy (2011), Creative Commons

Koshy Koshy (2011), Creative Commons

Do you love truth or wickedness?

  • Does God’s word delight you, or are you happy to set it aside or ignore it?
  • Do you understand more about Christ and his mission than you used to?
  • Have you become a teacher by now, or do you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God?
  • Do you quarrel or quibble?
  • Do you bear witness to the truth, or do you prefer to withhold the message of salvation and its offer of forgiveness from people?
  • When was the last time you sought counsel on your budget?
  • Do you act as though pictures on a computer screen can really make you happy?

Do you love righteousness or crookedness?

  • Are you a man or woman of your word?
  • Where have you made peace with disobedience because life is “too complicated”?
  • What changes have you made recently because of God’s commands to you?
  • What excuses are you prone to make?
  • Are you a party to any unresolved conflicts?

Do you love instruction or material gain?

  • What would you do with a million dollars?
  • How would you fill in the blank? “I would feel much more stable if ___________.
  • Which category of book takes up more shelf space at home: read or unread?
  • What would your last bank statement say about what you value?
  • What would your schedule say about what you value?
  • Would you prefer to have someone correct you or praise you?

These questions are not exhaustive. They just came to mind as I tried to examine my heart, which now looks blacker than I expected. Join me next week in taking these things to the cross, so we can work together to repent and believe the good news.

Filed Under: Proverbs Tagged With: Desire, Diagnostic, God's Wisdom, Proverbs

Wisdom is Available to Those Who Love What She Loves

June 9, 2014 By Peter Krol

I’ve never been very good at the shell game. I’m usually more interested in a good performance than in getting the right answer, so I’m easily snookered by a decent sleight of hand. But wisdom doesn’t work that way. She doesn’t need misdirection or illusion. She tells it like it is, and those who love what she loves will get in good with her.

Proverbs 8 summarizes all Solomon has said about wisdom in Proverbs 1-7, by showing how nobodies become somebodies. The first stanza explains how wisdom is available to all people who choose truth over wickedness, righteousness over crookedness, and instruction over material gain.

1 Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights beside the way,
At the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 Beside the gates in front of the town,
At the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O men, I call,
And my cry is to the children of man.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,
And from my lips will come what is right,
7 For my mouth will utter truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,
And all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” (Prov 8:1-11, ESV)

We can break Solomon’s argument into six pieces

1. Wisdom is Available

Prov 8:1 presents the kind of question that is not really a question. It’s similar to the trial lawyer’s query, “Isn’t it true, that on the evening of June 8th, witnesses observed you arguing with my client in public?” The interrogator assumes the answer to be, “of course!” and doesn’t care what you actually have to say for yourself.

McKay Savage (2008), Creative Commons

McKay Savage (2008), Creative Commons

So, too, in this case. “Does not wisdom call?” is not a true question. “Does not understanding raise her voice?” is more of an accusation than an investigation. Of course! She’s on the heights, at the crossroads, beside the gates, and at the entrance (Prov 8:2-3). Wherever people are to be found, she is there. She is available for us to find, anytime, anywhere.

2. To All People

Wisdom cries out in Prov 8:4 to “the children of man.”  In Prov 8:5, she specifies simple ones and fools as the objects of her pleading.

According to Proverbs 1:1-6, there are three kinds of people. The wise person is moving toward the Lord. The foolish person is moving away from the Lord. The simple one stands at the crossroads, about to decide whether to head toward or away from the Lord. The Lord is always the reference point, and Proverbs defines people by their attitude toward him, which is why “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7).

Wisdom now begs all people to hear and receive her. Look, no ring! She’s available to any who have ears to hear.

3. Who Choose

Wisdom is a choice. Always. It does not fall upon some while missing others. Those who get her want her. Those who don’t get her wanted something else. Folly works the same way. Just as the adulterous woman aims to seduce (Prov 7:5, 21), wisdom tries to persuade.

There’s a choice between instruction and silver, between knowledge and gold (Prov 8:10). Since wisdom is better than jewels (Prov 8:11), it makes sense to choose one and not the other. All you desire cannot compare with wisdom (Prov 8:11).

4. Truth Over Wickedness

Wisdom speaks truth and despises wickedness (Prov 8:7). Those who love her for it become wise.

5. Righteousness Over Crookedness

All wisdom’s words are righteous and approved by God (Prov 8:6, 8). Therefore, those who love wisdom love what God loves and receive his favor.

Wisdom’s words have nothing crooked or perverted in them. You never have to second-guess them. You won’t have to figure out the meaning behind them. They won’t lead you in a hurtful direction, but keep you moving straight toward the Lord (Prov 8:9). Those who love and heed wisdom’s words become wise.

6. Instruction Over Material Gain

Morality usually doesn’t pay. Purity denies sexual urges. Self-discipline limits spending. Hard work goes unnoticed.

But in seeking wisdom—in knowing Jesus—we do not settle for the lesser pleasure (Prov 8:10-11). And wisdom is so infectious that we can say with John, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).

Filed Under: Proverbs Tagged With: God's Wisdom, Proverbs, Righteousness, Truth

Wisdom Turns Nobodies into Somebodies

June 2, 2014 By Peter Krol

Susan BoyleIn April 2009, a frumpy, middle-aged, and socially awkward Scotswoman marched on the stage of the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. Susan Boyle flouted her spunky attitude and wish to be a professional singer, while judges and audience members alike snickered and visibly mocked her. But they gave her a chance.

You’ve got to watch the video to understand fully what happened that day. Simon Cowell—the world’s most cynical and scathing judge of performance talent—shows little mercy to this nervous woman, but his bewildered expression after her first few notes is priceless. Boyle’s performance gives new meaning to the song “I Dreamed a Dream.”

Boyle’s audition was the most viewed YouTube video in 2009. She went on to take second place in that season of Britain’s Got Talent, but it was enough to secure her a record deal with Sony Music.  Her first album sold more copies than any other début album in British history, and she has since gone on to record 4 more. Two Grammy nominations and 22 million pounds later, she’s performed in Windsor Castle and had a musical written about her. She’s become an icon of success, a contemporary rags-to-riches tale.

Wisdom is like that.

I don’t mean that wisdom will earn you millions of pounds or pageviews. Nor do I mean that wisdom grants your wishes to become famous or successful. I mean simply this: Wisdom turns nobodies into somebodies.

We’re drawing near the end of Proverbs 1-9. Over the next few weeks, I’ll work through chapter 8 in my Monday posts, and I’ll show how this chapter summarizes Solomon’s entire model of wisdom. Before we get to the closing vision of chapter 9—which launches the reader into the body of the book—Solomon will remind us of all that came before. Solomon assembles the pieces of wisdom’s instruction into a few long poems placed on Wisdom’s own lips.

  • In Proverbs 8:1-11, wisdom is available to those who hear. The simple and the foolish can both become wise if they will but humble themselves and realign their desires. Wisdom’s words are like God’s words, more precious than gold and jewels.
  • In Proverbs 8:12-21, wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and bears fruit beyond imagining. Satisfaction, justice, effective leadership, and enduring righteousness depend on the acquisition of godly wisdom. You won’t want to miss it.
  • In Proverbs 8:22-31, wisdom is intimately acquainted with the Lord himself and woven into the fabric of creation. You can’t delight in wisdom without delighting in Yahweh, Lord of heaven and earth. And because of what God has done in Christ, this wisdom now delights in you.
  • In Proverbs 8:32-36, wisdom promises divine blessing on those who listen and keep her ways. Those who find her find life, God’s favor. Those who miss her love death and end up harming themselves. This should be a no-brainer.

You and I might be nobodies. But God in his grace wants to make us into somebodies. His favor and life are stored up, ready for immediate disbursement to those who love his Son, Jesus Christ. If you grasp Christ, your wisdom from God, your life will never be the same again.

Filed Under: Proverbs Tagged With: Blessings, Britain's Got Talent, God's Wisdom, Proverbs, Susan Boyle

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