Prov 8:1 [ESV] Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?

One of the greatest and ongoing lessons of my life is learning to listen to my wife. But not just to listen, but to hear her with an attitude of willingness to change, to accept her views and experience and to make decisions based on valuing these. For some strange reason, I find that difficult at times, less so as the years roll on. In the past I have listened to Wendy through the filter of “knowing I was right” – which was a massive blind-spot. What is my paradigm now you ask – well I’m so glad you asked that question – thank you! Now, I am learning to listen with a heart and intellect to hear the wisdom and even when it goes against my initial instincts, or contradicts my fears and anxieties – I need to give Wendy’s voice the floor and be always willing to accept as a pre-agreed principle, that I can be very wrong.

KNOWLEDGE So when we hear someone called “a prude” what is out initial thought/reaction? Have you ever been called “prudish”. The root word is “prudence or prudent” – which in etymology has its roots in Latin, “pro – (ahead) and videre (to see) – a contraction of providense so, to act with foresight, to look ahead, to prepare.

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 “understanding” in Hebrew is pronounced as “fbunah” and carries the meaning of insight, ability, skill and wisdom all in this one word.

The LXX for Proverbs 8:1 reads “you, wisdom shall proclaim, that intellect should obey you.” The word used for intellect (understanding) is φρόνησίς [phronesis] which appears twice in the New Testament (Luke 1:17 & Eph 1:8) – with the meaning of “understanding that leads to the right action”. [prudence]

WISDOM – Choose carefully what your next steps might be, and who you listen to.

STRENGTHS THOUGHT: The Developer talent has a passion for others to grow and celebrates even small steps. Be careful not to get drawn into a lost cause though.

Allan’s Unauthorised Version – does not skill in life, trade, war and spirituality summon you to be their guest? And insight and ability constantly makes sound and noise?

Does not wisdom – does not skill in life, trade, war, and spirituality

call – summon you as a guest?

does not understanding – insight and ability

raise – constantly

her voice –  make sound and noise?

PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to be prepared as I lean into you and your ways each day.

To chat to me as a professional coach/mentor – allan@theallankey.com

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