Hearing Wisdom’s Voice – Proverbs 8
May 31, 2015Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speaker: Jerry Cisar
The seductress has spoken and allured with lies and deceit – all leading to death. But now another voice is heard – the voice of true love. A voice that leads to life. To this point in Proverbs, the voice of persuasion against the lies of seduction have been almost entirely on the lips of the father and mother. Wisdom spoke up herself once before (Proverbs 1:20-33), but seemingly only to mock those who had not listened.
Her tone is very different here. She is calling, she is actually courting, but in a very straight-forward fashion. Nothing deceptive; nothing crooked; all is right and good. In Proverbs 8 & 9, the last two chapters of the “narrative” portion of Proverbs (1-9), the father’s voice fades away; Wisdom’s voice takes center stage, the only competing voice belongs to Folly – the other lady, the seductress and deceiver who leads to death.
This is very much what it is like for those raised in a Christian home– assuming they were indeed taught the truth of God by their parents. But they have only heard it through mom or dad’s voice. Often, those who may have heard God’s Word speaking, it was in those times they had turned away and trouble was encroaching, and it seemed to mock with an “I told you so.”
But just like the son in Proverbs, as one matures, there comes a day when he/she hears Wisdom’s voice speaking directly to him or her, calling and courting. And each son and daughter must respond to that calling voice directly. Each must seek Wisdom in order to find and obtain the promised life and relationship she offers.