Prov 8:5 [ESV] O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
As a young Christian I found myself wanting to somehow belong, to connect, and to grow in maturity in my faith. In a random conversation, standing outside a bathroom, with a man I hardly knew, I was invited to go on a mission trip to Honduras. (I had asked the man what he worked as and he told me he was a full time missionary to Honduras – and I had said that sounded exciting – and he then invited me to come and see for myself – and I said yes)
A few weeks later I was stepping off a plane onto the tarmac in La Cieba, Honduras. It was dark, very hot, and there were military police with sub-machine guns everywhere. There were what looked very like bullet marks on the side of the small concrete airport terminal building, and no electricity – lots of shouting and chaos and no seeming order. This was the start of twenty-five years of growth through many mission trips to Central America. To be honest, in those first moments in Honduras, I wanted to turn back onto the plane and run back to the safety of what I knew. And I would have many more moments like that. But, if we really want to grow in our faith, then growth is accompanied by its’ companions, discomfort and pain. Whether taking on a failing business, being a dad to two children that were not naturally my own, or heading out to the Federal prisons in Central America, the greatest joys are so often accompanied by the greatest challenges to our selfishness and comfort.
KNOWLEDGE – even in our worst condition God provides a way ahead for us. There is always the possibility of turnaround. The cost is letting go of self and our own understanding, and instead turning to God, his wisdom, his ways, and his understanding. In the surrender there is peace, hope, and a bright future. He stands ready to teach us, to lead us, and to guide us each day, into health and peace that bring joy and rest.
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 used for “prudence” in Hebrew is pronounced “ar’mah” and is translated in Exodus and Joshua as “cunning” and in Proverbs as “prudence” [ESV]. In the LXX the word πανουργίαν [panourgian] is used – meaning astuteness. This word also appears in the New Testament and is translated there in its’ five appearances as “craftiness”. The original meaning of the word “cunning” from the 14th C is “learned, skilful, possessing knowledge” The idea of skilful deceit came later.
WISDOM
Live my life like the only proof of knowing the truth of the Gospel is that it can be seen in my daily actions.
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Intellection as a Gallup Strength is drawn to test knowledge, thriving in internal and external debate, searching for the new insights and understanding the prove worthwhile. Take care to avoid being only interested in theory and missing the application.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version O you who are easily deceived or persuaded discern and gain insight to be cunning, O you who are stupid and insolent discern and gain insight in your innermost person, your heart.
O simple ones – O you who are easily deceived or persuaded
learn – discern and gain insight
prudence – to be cunning
O fools – O you who are stupid and insolent
learn – discern and gain insight
sense – in your inner person, your heart.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to have a continual daily hunger for Godly insights and wisdom.
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