Walking in Wisdom with Christ (Proverbs 1:20-33)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

What is wisdom?

Bruce Waltke writes, “In Proverbs, ‘wisdom’ mainly denotes the skill to navigate through the maze of life so that one conducts one’s life to the greatest benefit of oneself and the community.”^[1] According to Timothy Keller, Wisdom “is making the right choice even when there are no clear moral laws telling you explicitly what to do.”[2]

Many Christians believe in Christ but struggle with wisdom and discernment. Thus, when tough judgment calls or relational conflicts emerge, they’re caught flatfooted. The reason we need wisdom is that some answers to the challenges of our day aren’t black and white. They’re gray and nuanced.

As Nicholas G. Piotrowski says, “Some decisions in life do not have ‘chapter and verse,’ but require sound thinking to draw together serval biblical teachings and relate them to several factors in life.”^[3]

Verse 20 says, “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice.” She is pleading with those who will listen. As Derek Kidner writes, “This passage is the first of many in which wisdom is personified.”[4] Wisdom is not just for the elite. It’s for everyone, and it should be proclaimed in the streets. It might even strike us as borderline obnoxious. “Lady Wisdom,” Kenneth Aitken says, “is no gentle persuader. She shouts, pleads, scolds, reasons, threatens, warns, and even laughs.”[5]

But notice her problem. Verse 22 tells us she is frustrated with those who are “simple” and “hate knowledge.” These are the primary marks of a fool. A foolish person does not want to be changed. They view stagnation as a virtue and take pride in the fact that they will never change.

But the wise person seeks out wisdom. And to people like this, Lady Wisdom gives this promise in verse 33: “But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.”

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | Lord, thank you for wisdom. I praise you that you have complete wisdom and can guide my life and understanding perfectly.

Release | I give you my foolish thoughts today. I want your wisdom, not my own.

Ask | Empower me to make wise decisions in my home and work today. 

Yield | Thank you that all true wisdom is found in you.

A Challenge to Act Like Christ  

The real path to wisdom is conformity to Christ.

As Ray Ortlund says, “According to the New Testament, Jesus is God’s gift of wisdom to sinners (1 Cor. 1:30). Solomon was a genius, but Jesus was greater than Solomon (Matt. 12:42).”^[6]

He goes on to say,

The way to read the book of Proverbs is to slow down and prayerfully think it through, one proverb at a time. Consider what each instruction reveals of God’s nature by what he values and instructs. Then consider what each proverb reveals about human frailty and need by the instruction we require. Such careful reflection will reveal much about the grace humanity requires, which God will ultimately provide in Christ.^[7]

When we know Jesus, we have wisdom beyond our human capacity. Bishop Claude Alexander writes, “We give evidence of our having been with Jesus through the wisdom and knowledge that we display.”^[8]

*Unless you specify otherwise, comments and questions you ask may be featured in upcoming podcast episodes.

[1] Waltke, Bruce K.,De Silva, Ivan D. V.. Proverbs: A Shorter Commentary (Kindle Locations 1006-1008). Eerdmans. Kindle Edition.

[2] Keller, Timothy; Keller, Kathy. God's Wisdom for Navigating Life (p. 2). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

[3] Nicholas G. Piotrowski, How Do We Apply the Scripture to All of Life? 240.

[4] Derek Kidner, Tyndale Commentary

[5] Kenneth Aitken, Proverbs, 22.

[6] Ray Ortlund, ESV Gospel Transformation Bible, 793.

[7] Ray Ortlund, ESV Gospel Transformation Bible, 794.

[8] Claude Alexander, Becoming the Church, 122