"Proverbs 9" by David Wierzbicki
Tomorrow for the midweek service at church, I’m preaching on the Old Testament lesson for the week which is Proverbs 9:1-6. It’s a text of the Bible I’ve never paid much attention to. In the last 4 hours, it has really started growing on me! It’s all about the theme of “Wisdom.” My favorite translation so far is “The Message” which reads:
Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home;
it’s supported by seven timbers.
The banquet meal is ready to be served:
lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers.
Having dismissed her serving maids,
Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place,
and invites everyone within sound of her voice:
“Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on?
Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!
I’ve prepared a wonderful spread – fresh-baked bread,
roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
Leave your impoverished confused and live!
Walk up the street to a life with meaning.”
Interesting, eh? There are a few things I really like about this text:
1) Wisdom is totally inclusive and wants everyone to come over for dinner
2) I love the imagery! I imagine it like Lady Wisdom/Sir Wisdom coming and finding us in the midst of our stupidest moments, and then inviting us to a fancy dinner at Red Lobster (or another fancy restaurant). She makes a special spot for us at the table and then tells us how to live in a more fulfilling way.
In my mind’s eye, Wisdom looks like a very wise, wrinkly, beautiful, Great-Grandma or Great-Grandpa.
Who are the vessels of Wisdom in your life?
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