Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 253 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Proverbs [8:32]-36 – Wisdom Calls for a Hearing #4

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 253 of our trek, and today we continue to remain at camp as we search for the nuggets of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Yesterday we explored Proverbs 8:17-31 where the woman Wisdom is presenting her case in a legal proceeding before the city gates. We have come to understand the great value of learning from and loving Wisdom. She has an eternity of experience as she was the architect at God’s side during creation. Since each day’s trek builds on the previous one, if you miss any of our Wisdom-Trek episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal.

We are recording our podcast from our studio at Home2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. We are looking forward to a busy but exciting week. On Thursday, we will travel to Mesa, Arizona, to work with our friends and partners Charles and Alison Mecom on the construction project underway there. We are making good progress on the project, but there are always challenges with projects of this size. We are thankful for the Mecom’s experience and commitment to the project as we all wish to honor and bring glory to God in all that we do.

This past Saturday we celebrated the 4^th birthday of our grandson Kiprono at Discovery Place in Uptown Charlotte. Paula and I had never been there and it was very interesting. Of course, the best part was spending the time with our children Fred, Janet, Buddy, Chelimo, and of course Kip in celebration of his life. We do enjoy these times with family.

As we remain in camp on our trek again today, let’s be transported in our minds back to ancient Jerusalem during the reign of King Solomon. We take our place among those that are seated just outside of the gates of the city. The lawyer called Wisdom continues to build her case before those that are in attendance. This second of three great poems written by Solomon found in Proverbs 8 is titled…

Wisdom Calls for a Hearing

Let’s listen as Wisdom finishes her testimony starting with verse 32,

³² “And so, my children, listen to me,
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
³³ Listen to my instruction and be wise.
Don’t ignore it.
³⁴ Joyful are those who listen to me,
watching for me daily at my gates,
waiting for me outside my home!
³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord.
³⁶ But those who miss me injure themselves.
All who hate me love death.”

In verses 32 and 33 the lawyer, Wisdom uses a term of endearment as she refers to us as children. It is clear that she loves us and desires for us to love her. She asks us to listen to her. She will bless us and teach us to be wise. We should not ignore what she is teaching us.

In verses 34 and 35, she tells us if we listen to her testimony and follow her instructions, it will bring joy to our lives. We should desire to learn more from her every day. We need to pursue wisdom every day and watch for opportunities to obtain wisdom. We should seek for wisdom as if she were a literal treasure because figuratively she is much more valuable. What we discover when we find wisdom is a rich and satisfying life, and we receive God’s favor in our lives.

As we end Chapter 8 with verse 36, we find that if you refuse wisdom, then you will suffer. God does not choose to punish us and will always give us the opportunity to turn to Him. If we refuse God and refuse to follow the words of Wisdom, then the punishment is severe. God is holy, and we all fall short of God’s standard so we must seek to be holy through making the ultimate wise choice. That choice is accepting God’s provision for us through His Son, Jesus Christ, as is stated in 1 Peter 3:18, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” A person who hates Wisdom and refuses God’s provisions will die both spiritually and many times prematurely in the physical realm.

The lawyer Wisdom has finished her testimony and all that is left is the closing arguments in the hearing that she has brought to the city gates. These closing arguments will be presented by King Solomon in defense of Wisdom. He will show proof of why we should follow and love wisdom.

We now make the transition to the last of Solomon’s three great poems as recorded in Proverbs 7-9.  Today we will look at the introduction to Chapter 9.

Solomon’s last great lesson to his children is almost complete. Perhaps Solomon paused here. Maybe he thought about whether he had taught enough. His young children needed the full facts. The children needed to decide between wise behavior and evil behavior. Their decision would guide their entire life. In the future, perhaps one or more of his sons would be king, like their father, Solomon. Then, the son would become powerful. Solomon wanted the children to choose wisdom.

Solomon decided to add a final great poem. This poem would explain wisdom to his children, but it would also explain the opposite of wisdom. Then, at last, his children would know enough. Then, his children could make their own decisions. The children must choose for themselves whether they wanted to be wise. If not, the children would be fools, and the whole nation would suffer.

The lawyer Wisdom has finished presenting her entire case. What is the impact of her testimony on you?  Is her case compelling?  Are you willing to accept the facts that she presented?  She swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth with God’s support, do you believe her? Tomorrow the King will present the closing arguments in the case, so encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our podcast for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, I encourage you to help us promote Wisdom-Trek in the following four ways:

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Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!