Prov 8:4 To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.
I told him with as much love as I could muster that he was acting like a spoiled child and that my concern was for him and his future. He stormed out of the room, shouting a range of parting shots over his shoulder as he left – most were personal, and most had to do with what I could do with myself later that night.
I felt devastated – our friendship seemed to be in tatters, and working relationship was possibly beyond repair. I reflected on my words, my mannerisms, my timing and my heart position. I had decided not to speak unless my care was for him and not for myself. So when I did speak, I sensed at least I was speaking from the best possible motives.
My sleep was not so great that night, as I was troubled by his response, and how could we work together successfully if we could not have healthy conflict without him escalating and flooding.
The next morning I went into the workplace with trepidation and with some prayer. He was already there and walked towards me as I entered. “hey, I’m so sorry for how I behaved last night – that was not acceptable, and actually when I thought later about what you said, I realised the truth in it, and I think I have grown from that – so thank you for being willing to take the risk of saying what you said.”
And, we were back on again – healing was in the air, and hope was renewed.
Towards me.
KNOWLEDGE – how are you with your children – or how were your parents with you? Do you recall times when someone who cared about you said things you did not want to hear? When the thing you think you wanted or needed meant going against the advice of those closest to you? Or perhaps you were the one entreating, coaxing, cajoling, praying – you could see the end, but they could not. How can I help them listen to what I’m saying – or even to see what I see? Knowledge is helpful and is a stepping stone to wisdom – only if the correct knowledge is applied.
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 wioird used for “call” in this verse is pronounced as “qara” in Hebrew and carries the meaning of call, summon, proclaim, and to be invited as a guest, even to be summoned. The LXX reads as “You, O men, I comfort; and I let go with my voice to the sons of men.” The word used in the LXX for “comfort” [which is “call” in the ESV] – is παρακαλώ – parakalo. This word appears 109 times in the New testament and is generally translated as “beseech, implore, besought, begged, and entreated” Do I sense the depth of this word which is to bring comfort – but perhaps starts with unsettling and a deeper reach?
WISDOM
What invitation am I hoping for and what invitation have I maybe mssied?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Communication as a Gallup Strength helps as tell the most important people, the most important information, and carry influence as awe do that.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – to anyone and a certain one, I announce an invite to you by summons, and this noise, this voice, is for all humans, all peoples.
To you, O men – to anyone and a certain one
I call – I announce an invite to you by summons
and my cry is to the – and this noise, this voice
children –is for all humans
of man – all peoples.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to to hear the call you are making to me as if it was only for me, and to share this call with anyone and everyone who will listen
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