Prov 7:7 [ESV] and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense,
The day I became a Christian, I transitioned from someone who was alcoholic and addicted to drugs, to someone who had fallen in love with Jesus and knew that they would never need alcohol or drugs ever again. On the journey to becoming a Christian I had, in my lost state, visited a few local churches, hoping that the answer to my constant internal pain may be found there.
In those Churches I saw some of the same people that I saw in the pubs on a Saturday night, in different clothes singing different songs. I knew that different clothes and different songs would not remedy my internal pain. The message from the minister made no sense to me, it seemed to be presented to people who already had their lives in order, but lacked a direction for me to become one of those people. None of this is said in any sort of judgment, its simply what I felt/experienced at the time.
So, there I was standing outside my small cottage on the North West Coast of Scotland in the last light of the day, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, the next place was America. I had just encountered Jesus, on my own, broken and helpless, he had responded to my cries for help, and he had literally changed my tears to joy.
What was to be done? (follow along tomorrow)
KNOWLEDGE
Observation and perception are two aspects of life that can help us with our wisdom. The writer is telling us what they have both observed and what they have perceived from that observation.
If we are to operate in wisdom daily, this is a great model for us to consider. How observant am I each day, and how perceptive am I in all situations. Do I go into my day with the full intention of utilising my observational and perception skills and enhancing these skills through practice?
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 word for “perceive” in Hebrew is pronounced as “biyn”, and appears one hundred and seventy one times in the Old testament. It carries the meaning of “to understand, discern, realise, to have skill and insight, and to explain, and look closely.”
In the LXX the Greek word is “ίδη – (ide) she should behold” and this Greek word εἶδος (eidos) in the New Testament, carries the meaning of “appearance, form, shape, and sight”. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 we can read [ESV] “for we walk by faith not by sight (εἶδος)”.
Perception, and how we see things is intrinsically connected to wisdom.
WISDOM – How aware am I, how well do I perceive and discern what is going on with others before I commit to any sort of connection.
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: The Deliberative talent has an intuitive ability to spot obstacles and challenges – there is serious care taken with making decisions.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version –
It has become visible to me among those easily deceived, I have looked closely and discerned a young man, left wanting courage and discernment.
And I have seen – it has become visible to me
among the simple – among those easily deceived
I have perceived – I have looked closely and discerned
among the youths – among the generations
A young man – a young man
Lacking – left wanting
Sense – courage and understanding
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to discern and perceive in line with your wisdom, and to commit to like-minded companions and friends.
To chat to me as a professional coach/mentor – allan@theallankey.com
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