Prov 7:4 [ESV] Say to wisdom, “ You are my sister, ” and call insight your intimate friend,
On a mission trip in the 1990’s to India I was given the privilege to visited a few orphanages. The children were all born from parents who had HIV – so there was a strong likelihood of perinatal transmission, and the chances are than none of these children received the recommended antiretroviral drugs within six hours of birth.
For most children in this condition in Mumbai, they would be born and die on the street, unseen, unknown, and, to an extent, uncared for.
The orphanages were packed full of smiling, happy, healthy looking children, with lines and lines of laundry drying in every available space. The staff worked tirelessly – many of them were either volunteers or working for a very small wage.
We were simply passing through as visitors. But, part of our role in the UK was to coordinate some fundraising and to ensure the funds went to the correct orphanage at the correct time to help them meet their needs. The day we visited it became so much more than just an admin job we did (usually on a Sunday afternoon between church services) – but from then on we saw the faces of the children that we were doing our tiny little bit to support. We had a degree of insight.
KNOWLEDGE
As I take time to reflect on this scripture, it speaks to me about a foundation. Something that can be built upon, and can withstand the pressures and rough and tumble of a busy and demanding daily life. It’s an adopted position – we adopt it, and it adopts us. Just as we are adopted into God’s family – Rom 8:15 [ESV] “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry ‘Abba Father!’ “
What position will you adopt today?
UNDERSTANDING – Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The Hebrew word for “insight” is pronounced “biynah” and is translated as “understanding; insight; discernment; good sense; and wisdom (usually referring to wisdom that responds to the Lord and his instructions). This word is used 38 times in the Old Testament.
In the LXX the Greek word used is φρόνησιν (phronesin) which appears twice in the New Testament – a thoughtful frame, sense, rightmindedness, Lk. 1:17; intelligence, Eph. 1:8
So, this idea of “insight” carries with it the idea that we apply our intelligence and sense to both hearing from God and responding to his leading.
WISDOM – What insights have I had recently? How have I then gone on to apply these to my daily life?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Strategic as a Gallup Talent, has the innate ability to see through problems to the best solution, as an intuitive ability. Imagine this talent applied in a godly fashion?
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – Say to yourself “all skills and morality in life, trade, war, and spiritual matters, you are all endeared to me [like a sister]”, and announce and proclaim that the discernment of God’s ways is your kinsman.
Say – say to yourself
to wisdom – all skill (moral) in life, trade, war and spiritual things,
you are my sister – you are all endeared to me
and call – and announce and proclaim
Insight – discernment of God’s ways
your intimate friend – your kinsman.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to consider how I use the skills and intelligence you have given me. To serve you and others each day.
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