Proverbs 9:14 [ESV] She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town
Here I am sitting on my own late at night writing out this thought. Often it will be early mornings – 4am is not unusual. Do I do this to be noticed, to be seen? But yet I am unseen.
I think that I take time to do this because my soul finds rest in this labour. I see glimpses of the highest one, of his nature, of his wisdom. And all my study, and all my reflection, amounts to this, (if I am successful) a glimpse of His nature. Would I like it if others enjoyed my work and even commented – I think I would.
But the real treasure is in the unpacking, the discovery, the fresh insights, yet my natural talents are at their best when I can share what I have discovered with others. I learn so I can bless others as well and grow in myself.
Do I seek the seat in public places, I don’t think so, left to my own I will drift up the back somewhere, a place where I can worship unobserved by others, and enjoying solitude with my maker. But even with all that said, I know that I must have biases and blind spots as all men (and women) do – so with that knowledge there is a desire to stay teachable, stay humble, and wait for God in patience.
KNOWLEDGE There is a desire to be seen, to be noticed and to be heard in the public places, to achieve some sort of notoriety for this woman in Proverbs 9:14. This was over three thousand years ago, and today it’s an easy consideration to ask myself – what has changed. If anything we have more people than ever believing the being in the public eye – for virtually anything is what they need to be happy. People fabricate events with AI, people do dangerous stunts, and so much more, with the only real goal being self-aggrandisement. Wisdom and popularity and not close friends most of the time. True wisdom as per Proverbs is more related to a holy and pure lifestyle, than any acceptance by others or even academic knowledge.
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 “seat” in Hebrew is pronounced as “kisse'” meaning a “seat; chair; in a public or civic setting; a place of authority, seat of honour, or royalty, deity, or a throne.”
In the LXX reads as “She sits at the doors of her own house upon a chair, visibly in the squares”.
The word for “chair” is δίφρου [diphrou] and as far as I can ascertain there is no usage of this word in the NT.
WISDOM – Understand your own “why” and align it with God’s leading and God’s character each day.
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Significance as a Gallup Strength wants to make a difference and is at ease in the public eye. When you are truly making a difference there is no need to sing your own praises.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – She is well settled at the entrance of her house; she takes the place of authority in arrogance and self-exaltation in her city.
She sits – she is well settled
at the door – at the entrance
of her house – of her house
she takes a seat – she takes the place of authority
on the highest places – in arrogance and self-exaltation
of the town – in her city.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to choose my seat with care through genuine humility given by you to me.
To chat to me as a professional coach/mentor – allan@theallankey.com
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