Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
“You that are simple, turn in here!”
To those without sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.” ~ Proverbs 9:1-6
What is wisdom?
There often is the belief that wisdom is the same as knowledge. But here, Lady Wisdom - isn't it great that Wisdom in Proverbs is a woman? :-) - likens it to maturity, not how smart you are.
And all are invited to partake in the bounty that Wisdom offers. The home, the meat, the bread, the wine - Wisdom is offering a feast.
I have always loved the image of God's kingdom as a feast. It is open to all - we all got invitations to the party. Sometimes though, through our own sluggishness, immaturity, petulance, stubbornness, or pride, we throw that invitation away.
It takes time to mature. Through this proverb it seems that God knows that. Wisdom not only invites, but entices us to mature and come along.
That is perhaps my favorite image of God. God is constantly enticing us to come to the party. Offering the best God has to share.
And wisdom is in our walking in the way of this insight.
Help me to grow in maturity and insight, Holy One, so that I can take part in your glorious feast. Amen
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