Today’s Blog: Wearing Your Garland?
TODAY’S PROVERB: She will set a garland of grace on your head. She will give you a crown of glory.” Proverbs 4:9, TLV
Ah. The garland. What exactly is the significance of the garland? And why would wisdom set one on our head? It’s actually kind of cool. A garland was a sign of glory, power, and eternity. They were also presented in celebrations, like weddings.
In pagan cultures, a floral or leaf garland were offered to statues of “gods” as a sign of honor and reverence.
So, why would wisdom give us a garland or crown? The previous verses of this pericope may give us some insights. It comes from the heart of a father to his child:
“Lay hold of my words in your heart, keep my commands and you will live! Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard you. Love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme—acquire wisdom! With all your acquisitions, get understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you. She will honor you when you embrace her. She will set a garland of grace on your head. . .”
Proverbs 4:4-8, TLV [EMPHASIS MINE]
As we’ve learned, Proverbs treats GOD’s wisdom as a person — as a woman. [If we’ve ever doubted our Father’s heart toward women, this should settle the matter.] When we truly pay attention to her words — when we live with her each and every day — she will respond with love and honor.
Wisdom honors us?
Wisdom honors us? Yes. When we journey with wisdom hand-in-hand, she will share with us wisdom, discernment, knowledge, and understanding. She will crown us with grace and glory.
For me, that means it will be my pleasure to know things that are beyond my own intellect. It means wisdom shares a tiny portion of the wonder and insight from the throne room of the Most High and fills my heart and mind with it. It means, she trusts me with this amazement.
And with our “social distancing” and isolation, what a great time to begin a routine of reading Proverbs each day, as we’re able.
Are you getting excited? Do you see how incredible the rewards of taking just a few minutes, a half-hour, an hour each day for a lifetime is? Just spending time with wisdom is enough, but our Father promises so much more. I’m excited, how about you?
May wisdom crown us with a garland of grace and glory, my friends.
Proverbs 4:9 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
