A message of Wisdom for living in our post-modern world
REFLECTION
The theme for today is He rested (or she rested). To rest is to cease from work or movement in order to relax, sleep, or recover strength. Also it means to be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position. Biblically, the term was used for God after creating the universe on the seventh (Sabbath). Today, to rest can be implied theologically as not only something we do for our body, soul, and spirit, but a form of worship and a way to experience more of Jesus’ love for us. Deep rest is when we completely trust the sovereignty of God and lean into His Holy Spirit even in the midst of the craziest situations.
Life is to be lived in wisdom. A major theme in the Book of Proverbs is the concept of fearing the Lord. Proverbs 9: 10 – 11 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life”. Indeed, in today’s world human beings are seeking for ways to give long life or to decrease ageing yet we also want to acquire everything in a rush, especially wealth and power. In as much as human beings are increasing in knowledge, that knowledge should not be devoid of the fear of God. Proverbs 1:7 rightly says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction”. Today’s text of wisdom can be summarized as follows;
- Do not make an idol of wealth (Vrs 4 – 5)
“Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes to itself wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”
Many times, the Book of Proverbs rebukes and even mocks the lazy man. Yet this does not mean that work and the wealth that comes from work should be made an idol. One may begin to worship work, afffluence, money, properties etc; that one should cease and do so because of your understanding. Today’s youth want to make quick money (sakawa, a popular term for money ritual in Ghana) at the expense of their lives. Today God is warning us that riches AND WEALTH are too vulnerable and temporary to be a worthy focus of our life. Like an eagle toward heaven: wealth or riches is swift to disappear and gone forever. Therefore “Fear the Lord and focus on the will of God for you that is eternal.
2. Do not eat at the table of a stingy man.
” Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies; for he is like one who is inwardly reckoning. “Eat and drink!” he says to you; but his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsels which you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words.”
The ruler’s table was a dangerous place (Proverbs 23:1-3), but so is the table of the stingy, one who hastens after wealth and wants all for themselves (Proverbs 28:22). He doesn’t want you to really enjoy yourself at his table, because he wants to keep more food for himself. You will offend him if you are foolish enough to take him at his word. The table of the stingy will be such an unpleasant experience that the food you enjoyed will come back to bother you. The pleasant words spoken at his table will seem wasted. Becareful of greedy friends.
Finally, in speaking, Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. This assumes that the one doing the speaking is not himself a fool and is a wise man. The fool will not receive or appreciate your wisdom. It will be as Jesus later described – like throwing pearls before pigs (Matthew 7:6). Speak or be spoken to people who would support your vision, ministry or calling.
PRAYER
Oh Lord of rest, grant us rest on all sides. Guard our hearts against the material and cause us to focus on the immaterial purposes that would give us eternal fulfillment. Open our eyes concerning association and guard our lips from speaking unwise words to ourselves or people in Jesus name, Amen.
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