Wisdom’s Journey: Proverbs 27:22

Terri GillespieWisdom’s Journey Through Proverbs

Today’s Blog: Choose Wisely

TODAY’S PROVERB: Even if you pound the fool along with the grain in a mortar with a pestle, his foolishness would never leave him. Proverbs 27:22, TLV

Here’s a question I wrestled with for years: Is the tenaciousness of a fool to do foolish things a choice or innate? I think I grappled with the question because of a hope that my poor decisions were because I couldn’t help myself. If the Creator of the Universe made me like this, then who was I to complain?

Yes, I really thought that. Until, I ran across a few passages like:

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”

JACOB, HALF-BROTHER OF JESUS, JAMES 1:5, TLV

” . . . yes, if you call out for insight,
    lifting up your voice for discernment,
if you seek her as silver
    and search for her as for hidden treasures,
then you will know the fear of 
Adonai
and discover the knowledge of God.”

KING SOLOMON, PROVERBS 2:3-5, TLV

“So God said to him: “Because you asked for this thing—and have not asked for yourself long life, nor asked for yourself riches, nor asked for the life of your enemies, but asked for yourself understanding to discern justice—behold, I have done according to your words. I have given you a wise and discerning mind, so that there has been none like you before you, nor shall anyone like you arise after you. “

GOD TO KING SOLOMON, 1 KINGS 3:11-12, TLV

Okay. You get the idea. So, my opinion about whether it is a choice or innate, for followers of Jesus and children of the Creator of the Universe — our Father — changed. There’s no question, it’s a choice to not pursue wisdom.

We have a Father who has invested heavily in us. Not the least of which is sacrificing His own Son for us. Therefore, He has demonstrated that He wants us to succeed. But, He’s not going to force us to pursue His word and live it. When have we ever responded well to that approach?

Excluding severe mental and/or learning disabilities, we can either read or be taught wisdom.

He desires we pursue this out of love for Him. And honestly, because He built His system to operate most efficient with the greatest results, living this way. Why would we choose otherwise?

May we choose wisely, my friends.

Proverbs 27:22 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible#tlvproverbs

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