Day 11 | 21-Day Growth Challenge | "You're Invited to the House of Wisdom"
SCRIPTURE:
Proverbs 9:1(NLT) Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed.6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
INSIGHT:
Today, we'll stay in Proverbs Chapter 9, and move up to consider the first six verses. Bible commentators suggest that Proverbs Chapters 1-9 are the introduction to the book, since Chapter Ten begins with the words, "The Proverbs of Solomon."
It is fitting that Chapter Nine summarizes the message of the necessity of embracing wisdom, as well as the dangers of rejecting wisdom. In this text, we see wisdom portrayed as a "good" woman, in contrast to other narratives of the "immoral woman" to describe the condition of persons who lack wisdom.
What is remarkable about this text is the portrayal of wisdom as a house possessing the following characteristics: Stability ("seven pillars"), Provision ("banquet prepared"), Inclusiveness, (Servants sent to invite persons needing wisdom), and Satisfaction, ("Come, eat my food").
I think of this as "The House of Wisdom." The message is, "Come into the house where wisdom is present." In a similar invitation, Jesus said, "Come unto me all you who labor…I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28). The message is an invitation to come and dwell with God in His House of Wisdom.
Verse Six is especially powerful: When we come into the House of Wisdom, we should make the choice to "Leave [our] simple ways behind, and begin to live." Coming to God provides an opportunity to leave behind the baggage of ignorance and foolishness. When we gain wisdom from the Lord, we must not go back to pick up our old ways. For example, I used to feel compelled to have the "last word." But after spending some time in the House of Wisdom, I left that simple-minded behavior behind years ago.
Accept the invitation and learn how to prosper God's way.
PRAYER:
"Lord, thank you for the invitation to your House of Wisdom. I will come, learn, and leave my simple ways behind."
ACTIVATION:
(Use comment section below to share your insights. Record sensitive items in your personal journal. You can login or simply use your first name.)
- After receiving God's wisdom, what "simple ways" have you (or will you) leave behind? (Answer in your private journal)
- What actions will you take today related to this lesson?
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