How Then Shall We Live?

The best storytellers know that to really get a reader’s attention, it’s smart to create a twist or come from an unexpected angle. Some of the most fun discussions I’ve had in a book club center around how we experienced a writer’s use of various literary tools like flashback, multiple narrators, or subtle foreshadowing to tell their story. In the beginning of Proverbs, Solomon’s writing is straightforward, almost textbook-like, explaining that the goal of the book is “for attaining wisdom and discipline.” Then about halfway through chapter 1, Solomon makes a turn into more poetic writing by personifying wisdom into Wisdom, a wise, discerning woman who is desperately trying to get the attention of the “mockers” and “fools” who aren’t listening to her. Her voice is urgent and pleading. The streets are noisy, and yet she seeks to be heard over the chaos. What follows is lyrical in its rhythm and flow—and surprisingly, unexpectedly harsh. It’s challenging to read Wisdom’s predictions of “calamity” and “distress” for those who have ignored her. Frankly, passages like this can be troubling and ones we’d rather rush through. Yet isn’t that exactly what the voice of Wisdom is pleading with us not to do? While the poetic language is severe, just maybe it’s designed to get our attention.

Wise adults are willing to slow down and listen to the sage voice of our Wonderful Counselor. Maybe we don’t believe that we are so bold as to “hate knowledge,” but our refusal to center down and attune to God and God’s wisdom can be just as dangerous. Actually it may be even more dangerous because we’ve fooled ourselves into believing that we are listening and are without consequences. May we notice how God is seeking to get our attention and call us to wise living.