the pursuit of wisdom (part 1)

It's been awhile since my last post. But that doesn't mean nothing's been running through my head...in fact, that's part of the reason why it's been awhile.

I began reading Proverbs this week, and was reminded of the gravity and indispensability of wisdom. I have been especially impressed this time around with how fervently I ought to long and hunger for wisdom. Consider this:

"My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." 2:1-5

"The complacency of fools destroys them." 1:32

Oh how hard it is for me to heed the warnings:

"Be not wise in your own eyes..." 3:7

"My son, do not forget my teaching..." 3:1

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent." 1:10

Oh how easy it is to be a fool:

"Fools despise wisdom and instruction..." 1:7

Fools worry, despite their self-confidence and self-esteem... 3:5

Fools are more concerned with their self-sufficiency and independency than with honoring the Lord with their possessions and finances... 3:9

Fools read verses 3:9-10 and worship the god of the prosperity gospel.

Fools are "greedy for unjust gain"... 1:19

Oh how easy it is to forget the blessings accompanied with wisdom and the horrors accompanied with folly:

The wise will "dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster." 1:33

The fool will "call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but will not find me." 1:28

The wise will "be delivered from the adultress with her smooth words." 2:16

The fool will fall in with the adultress and "never come back, nor regain the paths of life." 2:19

The wise will "inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it." 2:21

The fool will "be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it." 2:22

"The wise will inherit honor..." 3:35

The fool "gets disgrace." 3:35

The wise "will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man." 3:4

Wisdom is "crying aloud!"

Am I listening? Or do I ignore her?
Do I listen to people older and wiser than me? Or am I wise in my own eyes?
Do I seek hard after wisdom? Or am I complacent?
Do I trust in the Lord? Or do I trust in me?

This rant was developed only from the first 3 chapters of Proverbs. Twenty-eight chapters to go. Pray that I may hunger and thirst for wisdom, humility, and righteousness.