My Friends and the Snowman Prank

On December 29, 2023 By Jovan PayesIn Articles, Brotherhood, Christmas, Devotional, Discipleship, Freed-Hardeman University, Proverbs, Wisdom Literature

Recently, traveling for a speaking engagement some dear friends and I reminisced over the time when they pulled one of the most memorable pranks on me that will live on in the lore of our friendship until the Lord returns. As we talked about this event, I realized I learned something important about friendship that had not truly crossed my mind before. I would like to invite you to join me in the retelling of this story and a reflection on friendship.

The Snowman Prank

The setting. It was a cold Spring Semester at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. Usually, snow would fall in February and last for a few weeks. I can tell you driving in snow was one of the more challenging adjustments I had to make, as the driving I experienced in San Francisco little prepared me for it. After living in Henderson for a couple of years, I had developed some comfort with the cold and awareness for driving in the snow–especially becoming alert for “black ice.”

Snow out on the roads is one thing, but it was beyond thought to anticipate the sight I came upon one cold day in my car. I was heading to my car after taking a test in an undergraduate Bible class, when I noticed a car that looked just like mine with a snowman in the front passenger seat. I told myself, “wow, that’s funny… a snowman is sitting in the car,” shaking my head in disbelief. No way that was my car. No way a snowman was in my car.

It wasn’t until I tapped my key fob, heard the beep and saw the lights flicker that I accepted the truth. Even then it was tentative. I walked up to the car in disbelief, examining through the window the incredulous reality that a snowman sat on my front passenger seat. It was a fully three-tiered perfectly white snowman. I even marveled that whoever had done this was at least “Christian” about it as they had placed a garbage bag underneath it to protect the fabric. “Wow, this is what Christian pranks look like,” I thought to myself.

I realized I had left my car unlocked which in turn gave the pranksters the literal “open door.” In the course of a couple of years in small town Henderson, I had grown comfortable contrary to all the security precautions I had learned in the big-city. We locked everything. The front door to the home I grew up in had five locks. But now, I felt safe and comfortable, and look at how I was repaid… with a snowman! I was no longer the guarded city-kid who distrusted any person walking on the side of the street.

Unexpected Reactions

Today I chuckle at this story. I wish I had then my sensibilities that I have now. But I can assure you that my prankster friends bore witness to an unexpected reaction from their Christian brother. They had an aerial view of whole encounter from the large and wide windows of the Student Center/Cafeteria overlooking the parking lot. It was the perfect perch for them to be rewarded by seeing the comedy but that’s not entirely what happened.

I decided to remove the snowman, as one does, from my car. Instead of a calm and somewhat goofy procedure to move it to the sidewalk, I proceeded to dismember the snowman and slam each frozen sphere to the ground. My friends realized that I did not take the prank so kindly or jovial as they had hoped. They saw rage. As it was at this time they realized they messed up.

I can tell you, each time I picked an increasingly larger icy ball over my head I dropped it with all the force I could muster. I was not used to good-humored pranks. Every prank I received or dished out in the streets never had good-willed intentions. Humiliations were not really tolerated, unless you were on the lower end of the totem pole. Like Coolio said, “Me be treated like a punk, you know that’s unheard of.”[1]

When my friends saw my reaction, they knew it was time to go. As they have told me, they quickly vacated the premises, hopped in a car and tried to escape undetected. They tried. After I took my heat off on the snowman, I proceeded to investigate to see if there were any witnesses to the “crime.” Nothing proved fruitful until I saw a car pull up. I could not identify who was in it, but it looked guilty. After a few attempts to corner them, they escaped my grasp. Eventually, I took a call in which they confessed guilt to this prank.

Accepting Good-willed Friendship Fun

Suddenly, my indignation melted away to relief that my friends meant the prank as nothing more than some friendly winter fun. At that time in my life, I had very little experience with this type of fun. This was not a cruelly-intended hazing, it was just fun shared among good friends. It was a practical joke, a rather hilarious one.

It is not that I lacked friends growing up, but the “jokes” we played on each other always had an element of humiliation that betrayed trust. Even the “jokes” were deceptions designed to manipulate me and my emotions. I once had a friend that told me my wife and toddler daughter died in a car accident they had actually been in. It felt as the Proverb says:

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” (Proverbs 26:18–19 ESV)

But my friends were people of quality. I went from gangsters to pranksters. Again, the Proverbs tell us

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

Over the past twenty plus years, despite the passing of time, the reunions with my closest friends have been sweeter than honey–even if some of them placed a snowman in my car.

Friendship in the Bible

The Bible speaks about friendship, of the 187* instances of the Hebrew word rea’ (friend, companion, neighbor, fellow, associate), the English Standard Version of the Bible translates it “friend” thirty-three times. Broadly, however, it means to suggest an acquaintance or fellow–a neighbor. It is the word used in the Second Great Commandment, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (Lev 19:18; 19: 13, 16; Matt 22:34–40; Mark 12:28–34; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8). While not all “neighbors” are those that stick closer than a brother, God’s people are called to treat all neighbors with dignity and respect (i.e., love).

The book of Proverbs provides a number of insightful principles for appreciating the value of good friendships.

We need good friends. More importantly we need good friends. Additionally, we need not only to be “friends” to many, but a good friend who treats people with dignity and respect. We make our interactions personal, rather than impersonal.[2] The proverbs of Solomon continue this theme in the following couplet (Prov 10:1):

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor. (Proverbs 17:17–18)

These two verses are connected by the word rea’, translated “friend” and “neighbor.” There seems to be an intensification of “friend” who expresses a loyalty like a sibling, the closest relationship in the ancient world. Such a friend will be there even in times of rushed decisions without abandoning them in their time of need.[3]

Perhaps no better example of this type of friendship is found outside of David and Jonathan. In the midst of David’s rise in Israel during the reign of King Saul, Jonathan and David’s friendship transcended family allegiances. It is said that “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul” and makes a covenant with him (1 Sam 18:1). He even protected David from his father’s wrath (1 Sam 20).

Good friends are not pushovers. They are not enablers. Many a “ride or die” friendship has imploded because they offer no space for accountability. Proverbs calls us to this very truth:

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet. Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. (Proverbs 27:5–10)

The word friend in this section is the translation of ahabāh means “love,” as in “one who loves.” A faithful friend who loves us will not withhold their love from us, but will offer words that may leave a mark. These “wounds” are not the sort to injure, but to provide counsel so their friend may redirect their decisions. It may hurt on the front end, but the outcome will be like sweet food or an enjoyable fragrance.[4] Such friends are comparable family who have a vested interest in our success.

Could we have a better friend than God? James writes of Abraham that it was his faith in God that led to his deep relationship with the Lord. He affirms that “‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness’—and he was called a friend of God” (Jas 2:23). Moses spent time in the Tent of Meeting and communed with the Lord there. “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exod 33:11a). Faith in the words and character of God, and the boldness to commune with the Lord are vital components to a vibrant “friendship” with the Lord.

Concluding Thoughts

God clearly points us to forging good friendships. Being a good neighbor is the foundation to offering authentic friendship and loyalty to those outside our families. Sometimes, we find deeper relationships or comparable ones in outsiders to the point that our neighbor is now our soul knit friend.

It can be very difficult for many of us to make friendships and trust in the good will they offer. This is often due to trauma. At least it was in my case. I did not know how to have fun and playful friendships. These pranksters helped me break through a hang up I did not know was there. I am beyond grateful the Lord has blessed me with friends like these at different stages in my life.

I pray that in your lifetime, and despite any trauma, you too will appreciate and be blessed by good friends. Finally, I pray that you will learn to be the friend your neighbor needs in their time of difficulties and hardships. This is the commandment of love that identify us as disciples of Jesus (Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8).

Endnotes

Coolio, “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1995).
Derek Kidner, Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary (1964; repr., Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008), 41.
Dave Bland, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon (Joplin, MO: College Press, 2002), 165.
Kidner, Proverbs, 158.

The Weight of Sin (Hebrews 12:1–2)

On January 31, 2023 By Jovan PayesIn 1 Corinthians, Articles, Bible Study, Bulletin, Discipleship, Galatians, General Letters, Hebrews, New Testament, Proverbs, Proverbs 1-9, Romans, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom Literature

In the book of Hebrews, the author spends considerable space on perseverance through faith; it may be said that this is the essential point emphasized throughout Hebrews 11:1–12:2. In the last two verses of this section (12:1–2) the central key to perseverance through faith is stated:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV)

There are two major points made here; consider the following.

First, we must recognize that faithfulness as demonstrated in the cases found in Hebrews 11 affirms that “to be faithful is to hold on despite pain [sic].”[1] The pain may come in different forms and may either be the decision to reject sin or the constant struggle of unbelief.

Second, in order to imitate the faithfulness of the biblical heroes painted in Hebrews 11, and to complete the redemptive story of God (Heb 11:39–40), we are also called to remove the obstacles of sin with which we struggle in order to persevere faithfully.

The Weight and Grip of Sin

The call to faithfulness is illustrated through a well-known image from the Greco-Roman world – runners in the races. It would be a foolish athlete who competes in a race and impedes his performance by adding weight (12:1); in fact, it is common sense to remove as much weight as possible in order to improve one’s speed. The point is clear: weights hinder performance.

The “weight” which hinders the runner’s performance is equated by the phrase “sin which clings so closely.” Sin is a common human problem (Rom 3:23) and occurs when we behave contrary to God’s guidance (1 John 3:4).

The Hebrews author describes this sin as that which “clings so closely” (Grk. euperistatos). As a Greek term, the word used is quite rare and only found once in the entire New Testament. It appears, however, to have a wide range of suggested meanings, but essentially here reflects the idea of a dangerous “distress” or “calamity.” In the ancient Jewish Greek work, 2 Maccabees, this word is used to describe how “heavy disaster overtook” the Jews as they accepted an alliance with the Romans (2 Macc 4:16).[2]

There is also an element of skillfulness involved in sin suggested by this term, to exert a tight grip of control upon us.[3] God wants us to know that if we allow sin to dwell in our lives, it has the skill to take “advantage” to prevail against our better judgments.[4]

For this reason, we must not be passive with sin in our “race” of faithfulness, but with focused determination (taking the figure of the runner) we must act decisively to “thrust from ourselves” (“lay aside” ESV) the “weight” and the “sin” which will have a disastrous grip upon our spiritual lives.[5]

When Sin Grabs You

With the foregoing in the mind, it is clear that we must be on our guard against sin. It appears to be that many Christians flirt with sin and roam the borderlands of acceptable godly behavior with reckless abandon, believing that “all is under control.” Yet, like a fly snared by a Venus Fly Trap, once its trigger is initiated the tight and skillful grip will not release until the fly is dead.

Solomon sets forth a profound “cautionary tale” about those naïve and immature souls thinking they can live within the clutches of sinful living (Pro 7:1–27). Such will leave home free of constraints of the commandments, teaching, and insights of godly wisdom and wander the streets until they come to the threshold of sinful behavior. They will stand at the very edge thinking it’s possible to be so close to sin until the folly of sin “seizes” them (7:13) and seductively leads them to spiritual death (7:21–23). Foolishly tempting folly is viewed as ungodly, something the emerging wise person should refrain from.

Some have suggested that the “weight” and “sin” in Hebrews 12:1 ought to be viewed as two different problems, both of which hinder faithfulness to God and the ultimate completion of service to God.[5] This may be possible, though we feel that “weight” is a metaphor for sin; nevertheless, the point is taken “that there may be many things which could serve as hindrances to our running well.”[6] All of them weigh us down, so it is imperative we seek divine grace and sanctification to be Spirit enabled to run the Christian race.

The warning we ought to understand here is that instead of piling on questionable burdens, we ought to “lighten” our loads from hindrances that both hinder and distract us from full and complete service to our God and Father; which consequently affects our hope of heaven.

The fact that we come near to God through faith (Heb 11:6), and that this “nearness” rewards them that “seek” Him ought to compel us to offer a life filled with choices that seek His will over that of our own. Below we consider a couple areas where hindrances appear quite often.

Emotional Fixations

Additionally, we are prone to make emotional connections; this is part of our human experience and in fact, is a God-given attribute that reinforces healthy relationships. However, at times we can ill-invest our emotions into dangerous territory.

Some invest their emotional connections in unhealthy relationships. Affairs begin when one’s emotions are invested in another who is not their spouse. Young ones join gangs when they invest their loyalty into a group of friends, which they adopt as a surrogate family structure. Christians become emotionally compromised when they invest their romantic emotions into potential mates which could care less about their faith and godly morals.

It is not simply a matter of human weakness, after all, “all have sinned,” so goes the argument. There is, however, a real difference between succumbing to temptation and placing one’s self into the lion’s mouth of temptation because we are fixated on someone or some vice. It is a trite spirituality for one to appeal to grace while indulging in every sin. Paul clearly said, “may it never be” that Christians abuse God’s grace in this fashion (Rom 6:1–2).

Due to fear of rejection by friends or family, some people give in to pressure and trade their birthright for worldliness. We would be wise to guard our hearts and emotions (Pro 4:23):

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (ESV)

Planning for It

Finally, planning for sin is perhaps the most obvious area where hindrances appear in the life of the Christian. Temptations appear to everyone, but God promises that with every instance there is a “trap door” to escape the call of sin (1 Cor 10:12–13).

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12–13)

“That you may be able to endure it” is an implied promise of spiritual strength if you will give in to the Spirit’s lead. Nonetheless, we are allowed to make our own decisions (Jas 1:13–15). God cannot force us to live godly. We will in fact reap what we sow:

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7–8)

One may be tempted to compromise sexually with a boyfriend or girlfriend, but that can only occur if a provision is made to fulfill the lust of the flesh (Rom 13:14). One may be tempted by the desire to want things that they obtain what they want through immoral methods of gain; when instead, we are to “work quietly” and “earn” our “own living” (2 Thess 3:12). Another may structure their lives so they can indulge in pornography, drugs, or drunkenness.

Sometimes we are so consumed with the notion that we have the capacity to do something that we do not stop to think about whether or not we should. “I’m 21 today, I’m going to a bar”; only that the consequence of a “night out” is a drunk mess barely able to wake up in the morning. Hangovers are not proof of adulting, they are consequences of a lack of wisdom. A practice surely condemned in Scripture (1 Pet 4:3). Unfortunately, we can multiply these “entitlement” habits, which are ultimately antiauthoritarian expressions that dishonor parents and ultimately God.

Concluding Thoughts

For those who have truly absorbed the beauty of the loving Gospel of Jesus Christ, and know that the ultimate dwelling placed is prepared for those who are faithful to God, no hindrance ought to be too difficult to cast aside so that we can have all the endurance we need to run the race of faith. So that we too can say with Paul:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Tim 4:7–8).

Cast off your sins! Trust God’s grace! Lean on the Spirit’s sanctificaiton! I’m praying and rooting for you.

Endnotes

James Thompson, 2003, “Enduring Through Pain (Hebrews 12.1-17),” BibleCourses.com (Accessed: 20 Aug. 2011), 2.
James H. Moulton, and George Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914–1929), 264.
Johannes P. Louw and Eugene A. Nida, editors, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, 2d edition (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 1.471-42; Joseph H. Thayer, 1889, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (1889; repr., Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1962), 261.
William E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White, Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: Nelson, 1984), 2.63.
H. G. Liddell, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (New York: American Book Co., 1888), 109.
Bob Deffinbaugh, “Losing Weight (Hebrews 12.1-3),” Bible.org (1995–2011; Accessed: 20 Aug. 2011).
Deffinbaugh, “Losing Weight (Hebrews 12.1-3).”

Tips for the Wise: Reading Proverbs

On February 21, 2021April 9, 2022 By Jovan PayesIn Articles, Bulletin, Old Testament, Popular Essays, Proverbs, Wisdom Literature

Communication requires a certain sensibility to understand what is being said, written, or acted. A McDonalds menu communicates certain that “edible” products are available for a certain price, but the sentiment is very different from a romantic poetic Valentine’s Day card. A bank statement certainly tells a story, but does it use the same language and method as horror movie? For some it just might! These communicate to their readers but they do so with quite different expectations in mind. In fact, communication depends on certain expectations set by its author and the setting (context) it is offered.

The Bible presents a unique challenge because it is a library of several genres of communication written to people in a variety of context. Modern readers of the Bible should be aware that they are reading an ancient book with ancient models of communication. It becomes an imperative for the modern reader to respect the various genres of Scripture as intended by God and his chosen prophets.

A type of literature that is both popular but also easily misread is Hebrew wisdom. This type of literature is should not be taken as hard promises from God. I would like to explain why and offer a few suggestions to help God’s people read this section of scripture better.

The Importance of Genre

It is important to recognize that Old Testament books must be analyzed with respect. Conscientious Bible students recognize this. Respect must be rendered to the text not only due to the nature of the document as being the very breath of God’s mouth (2 Tim 3:16), but also because each document is a literary work composed in a unique style – a unique genre.

For example, one should not consider the creation week in Genesis 1 as a fictional-poetic treatise because the book of Genesis is a historical document, designed to instruct humanity concerning the origin of man, the fall of humanity, and the promise of the seed which would come to bless all the nations of the earth – Jesus Christ (Gen 22:18; Gal 3:9). Genesis is an inspired historical narrative and must be analyzed with this in mind.[1]

It is unfortunate that inspired historical documents are often treated by some as poetry or as a fictional novella, at the mercy of any revisionist who disagrees with its message or storyline.

Wisdom in Proverbs

Another unfortunate error, which is often overlooked, is that which transforms wisdom literature into absolute historical fact void of any sense of generality. The value of the proverbs is precisely because they are generalities which provide thoughtful guidance for those seeking to life a wise and spiritual life. Walter Russell calls attention to this aspect of wisdom literature:

It is concise, memorable, simple, and profound; it observes life and reflects the voice of experience; it is thoughtful about human experience and designed to give us practical living skills for confusing circumstances. It also challenges us not to falsely spiritualize everything in life.[2]
Walter Russell, Playing with Fire (NavPress, 2000)

A classic example of the generalness of wisdom literature is found in proverbs like the following:

When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Pro 16:7 ESV)

How should such passages be understood: as an absolute formula or as general principles? Did Jesus experience this as an absolute promise? Hardly! What should the Bible reader do, then, with passages like this? Read them based on the merits of the expectations for its genre.

Here are a few suggestions.

First, it is the nature of a proverb to provide general wisdom principles:

The nature of the proverbs is such that they should not be interpreted as prophecy or as promises about certain effects and results. Rather, they are best viewed as theological and pragmatic principles.[3]
Samuel J. Schultz, The Old Testament Speaks, 5th ed. (HarperCollins, 2000)

For as much as we would want them to be absolute promises we must be cautious. Proverbial passages are not to be pressed beyond their intent, which is: to be general truths to guide the godly in the path of righteousness (Pro 1:1–9).

Second, the generalness of proverbs should discourage their use as an infallible rule.

For example, it is certainly true that the guidance of Proverbs 16:7 has run true to many who have lived a godly life. But it is also true that living consistent with the will of God will bring heartache and sorrow due to persecution (Matt 5:1–12, 2 Tim 3:12–13). A person’s enemies may become one-hundred-fold almost immediately when following God.

Recall the Lord Jesus’ ways which pleased the Father (John 8:29). Might one suppose that his enemies should come to a state of peace with him? If one took this proverb as an absolute formula, then yes. However, not all saw Jesus as a teacher come from God (John 3:1–2) and his enemies multiplied and waited to catch him in their theological traps (Luke 11:53–54). Proverb 16:7 is general in scope, emphasizing a positive aspect of godly living, never intending to exclude negative factors.

Finally, perhaps the most problematic factor in dealing with general principles is the failure of some to take into account that no one verse carries embedded within it the totality of a biblical subject.

While the sum of God’s word is truth (Psa 119:160), the Proverbs are maxims. In Proverbs 22:6 it is written:

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV)

The passage is designed to emphasize that children are impacted by their parents long after they leave home. The impact of domestic education is life lasting. Yet one should not take this passage as an absolute formula, for this would dismiss one of the most vital elements of the nature of man: free moral agency. The impact is life lasting, but the choices are left to the child.

It is unfortunate to see some depart from the faith after being “raised in the church.” It should not be assumed that it is the direct result of the parents being derelict in their parental duties. Life and decision-making are complicated matters.

Concluding Thoughts

Biblical literature is composed of a wide range of genres. These genres of literature ought to be treated with the respect they rightly deserve, otherwise poor exegesis will follow. In principle we run the danger of binding were God has not bound.

We must be conscientious Bible students using Scripture correctly. May we never apply general principles as absolute infallible rules.

Endnotes

There is a debate over how to read Genesis 1, but I find no reason to reject the twenty-four hour view even when presented in a stylistic way. See David G. Hagopian, ed., The Genesis Debate: Three Views on the Days of Creation (Mission Viejo, CA: Crux Press, 2001), Stanley N. Gundry, ed., Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017), and John F. Ashton, ed., In Six Days: Why Fifty Scientists Choose to Believe in Creation (2000; Repr., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2001).
Walter B. Russell, Playing with Fire: How the Bible Ignites Change in Your Soul (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2000), 161.
Samuel J. Schultz, The Old Testament Speaks, 5th ed. (New York: HarperCollins, 2000), 290.

The Value of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:11)

On August 1, 2019April 9, 2022 By Jovan PayesIn Articles, Ecclesiastes, Glendale Gleaner, Job, Old Testament, Proverbs, Psalms, Published, Song of Solomon, Wisdom Literature

For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it.
Proverbs 8:11 (American Standard Version)

Every culture has its wise one. Every “hero’s journey” has its wizard or Jedi. These iconic figures in culture and fiction manifest the human need for guidance by those who have deeper insight and knowledge which affect our relationship with ourselves, our families, our society and our God.

Contrary to the notion that wisdom can only be gained through the school of hard knocks (trial and error) or some “inner voice,” the Bible speaks quite often that wisdom and insight are attainable by listening to the voice of God. For this reason, wisdom is said to be “better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it” (Proverbs 8:11).[1]

The willingness to submit to Divine wisdom is the essential ingredient to a spiritual life and a right relationship with God. God has given wisdom instruction to the world through his people (Deuteronomy 4:5–6) to gain wisdom through meditation of it and to practice it (Proverbs 1:2–6). And, Divine wisdom must always be our daily companion —especially, when thinking about Jesus “the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:25). We will explore these ideas presently.

A Starting Place

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word hokmah —often translated “wisdom”— is found 149 times. Practical knowledge, coupled with godly fear of the will of God and the willingness to arrange one’s world on this basis is the dominant way in which biblical wisdom is portrayed, especially in the book of Proverbs.

While no single verse may indeed capture the entire thrust of a biblical topic, the tension found in Proverbs 1:7 provides a helpful theological mapping, observe:

“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”

These two lines of opposite thoughts are sewn together at the seam by inspired design in order to display that “wisdom and instruction” are accepted through personal submission to “Jehovah.” True “knowledge” does not emerge from the short-sighted, the arrogant, nor the spiritual loner who comes to their own realization or epiphanies.

Knowledge, wisdom, and instruction are the instruments through which God takes those who are humble and willing to learn the reframing power of the “fear of Jehovah” (9:10). In other words, the Bible is talking about what we may call today as spiritual formation, reframing life and its choices by the insight gained by wisdom (Proverbs 4:7) and acquiring the discipline to chose wisdom over folly, insight over forgetfulness, life over death. Here inlays the value and power of biblical wisdom, it is the wisdom that comes from above (James 3:17).

The Importance of Wisdom

The arrangement found in most Old Testament Bibles today places five poetic and wisdom books together. They are poetic in genre and style but offer the wisdom of God toward specific areas of godly living. Let us briefly look at Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon to appreciate their value.

Job. In 42 chapters, the book challenges a common notion that people only suffer due to their own failings and sins. In this life, sin does not always have immediate consequences of suffering; righteous living is no absolute protection from harm. The good do suffer, the unjust often thrive, but God will judge in the end. While injustice may never feel resolved from our vantage point, we must learn to trust in God’s grace and sovereign will.

Psalms. In 150 psalms, a host of prayers and praises are given to God. They demonstrate a complete spectrum of human emotion and devotion given to God. There is a place to come to the Lord in praise or confusion, in pain or joy, in anger or celebration. Prayer and praise are far more dynamic than “conventional wisdom” often suggests to us. The articulation of our heart and soul to God in prayer and praise is one of the greatest expressions of wisdom.

Proverbs. The training of spiritual leadership is the goal of the 31 chapters of Proverbs. In chapters 1-9, a father is providing a series of speeches to his son encouraging him to seek after wisdom like a devoted woman, while avoiding the seductive intrigue of folly portrayed as an adulterous woman. “Case studies” of wisdom versus folly are then laid out in a series of two-line wisdom collections (10:1, 22:17, 25:1, 30:1, 31:1).

Ecclesiastes. The twelve chapters provided by “the Preacher” (1:1) are framed much like an introspective journal as “the son of David” seeks to find meaning in this life “under heaven” (1:12-18). He pursued various forms of pleasure and materialism and walked away seeing these things are nothing more than an elusive mirage, “vanity” (hevel). In the end, he comes to understand that his relationship with God is the only things that make life “under the sun” complete (ch. 12).

Song of Solomon. In one of the most unique contributions in all of scripture, the Song highlights the wisdom and elevates the beauty of romantic, marital sexual intimacy. Although some Jewish and Christian circles have viewed this allegorically for the intimate love of God for his people, the book itself reinforces the unashamed pure intimacy that should exist within the “one flesh” of marriage (Genesis 2:18–25). The Song reinforces the wisdom saying, “drink waters out of thine own cistern” (Proverbs 5:15).

Wisdom is one of the most pervasive concepts used in Scripture for spiritual growth and development. While there may be segments found throughout the biblical canon, these core volumes provide various theaters of life in which wisdom is needed: the marital relationship, the workplace, the battles of everyday choices, the realm of worship and prayer, and our appreciation of justice and grace.

Don’t Leave Home Without Wisdom

In Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10 the first major section of the book (chapters 1–9) opens and concludes with the importance and value of wisdom, as it reflects the “deep-seated reverence and awe” that a person should have as an emerging wise person.[2] Like bookends, the section opens and closes with the reminder that wisdom apart from the “fear of Jehovah” is self-defeating; therefore, treat Divine wisdom like jewelry and take it everywhere with you (1:9; 3:21–22; 4:9).

Wisdom is valuable in many ways, observe: as a proclaimer warning against catastrophe (1:20), as precious treasures (2:4) to spend one’s energies to pursue, find and store up (2:7; 3:3); or, as a security detail (2:7–8), a caretaker (2:10–12), a life-extender like the “tree of life” (3:2, 18; 4:13), provides security and peace (3:23–25), as the wisdom and instruction of mother and father (6:13).

What is clear is that Proverbs offers wisdom for everyday living —emphasis on the “living” part of the phrase. We are invited to:

Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Yet, if we do not understand that reframing our vision to see that everyday choices are spiritual choices it may prove difficult “trust in Jehovah.”

Ultimately, we need to understand that Jesus is the Wisdom (sophia) of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The Old Testament provides considerable information about the importance of the word of God. This principle becomes clearer in the New Testament when Jesus is declared to be the Word who becomes flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:1–3, 14). It becomes clear that the word of wisdom is from God (Luke 11:49), is the word which God gives as instruction and teaching, and is the word by which all things are created, and this Word is Jesus Christ.

The value which we should place on wisdom, then, is the same value we should place on Jesus Christ (and vice versa), who according to Paul is not only “the power of God” but also “the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Final Thoughts

Wisdom is important for all aspects of life. Biblical wisdom is intertwined with a moral discipline that requires God-fearing souls to reject wickedness and uphold righteousness, to trust His plan over our own. Families, churches, and the world need more people seeking the wisdom of Jesus Christ. It may often look foolish but it will be wiser than the wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Endnotes

Unless otherwise noted all quotations are taken from the American Standard Version of The Holy Bible.
Kenneth T. Aitken, Proverbs (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1986), 14-15.