Doors and Gateways

 Proverbs 1:20-21

Wisdom shouts in the street,

She lifts her voice in the square;

At the head of the noisy streets she cries out;

At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:

Right through scripture we come across the world wisdom. From an Old Testament perspective. Wisdom is really an approach to life, a way of looking at the world and, for Israelites, a way of living out in very deliberate, rational ways their commitment to God. 

From these two verses we see much of how wisdom is expressed within the cut a thrust of everyday life. We notice that wisdom can make itself known in spite of the hubbub of existence. Did you also note the pronoun for Wisdom, “she”, for the word for Wisdom in Hebrew is Sophia. Also, note that Wisdom lifts her voice  in the square the centre of the community as well as at the entrance to the city. 

Have you ever noticed how it is possible to screen out certain sounds and even voices to the extent that you cannot hear them any more. In order to focus on a particular conversation, listeners need to be able to focus on the voice of the speaker they wish to listen to. This process is called "selective attention" and it has been long known by researchers that it happens in the part of the brain called the auditory cortex, which processes speech information.

We could also say that in spiritual terms we may selectively decide to screen out the voice of Wisdom and its rich life giving meaning. In 1 Corinthians we find Paul saying, “But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Again, Fred Beuchner helps us when he says, “Wisdom is a matter not only of the mind but of the heart, like a woman's wisdom. It is born out of suffering, as a woman bears a child. It shows a way through the darkness the way a woman stands at the window holding a lamp. "Her ways are ways of pleasantness," says Solomon, then adding, just in case there should be any lingering question as to her gender, "and all her paths are peace" (3:17).”

Lord, You are all-wise, the source of all true wisdom. With Your supreme wisdom, you have planned my life and the course I have to take. Lead me, Lord, to the way I have to go through and direct me to the path you have prepared for me. Help me Lord to make the right decisions and allow me to experience Your power and love in my life that I may, with a sound mind, shun away the fears that confusion brings. Amen.