Proverbs 9:3
"She has sent out her maidens, she calls from the tops of the heights of the city"
The characteristics of wisdom are personified as a king with servants. It is to allow us to see when we are listening to wisdom and how to find it when we need it.
Verse 1 is clear that wisdom has accomplished the thing we seek. It is successful, over time, with a balance of Glory to God, help and honor for others, and personal development and enrichment. Too many charlatans can talk a good game but cannot show any real evidence of their success. Wisdom has results to show.
Verse 2 is clearly another characteristic of wisdom: it has figured out how to present its wisdom in a way that others can grasp. It wants to share its information, but it has thought through that presentation in some detail. Notice prepared food, mixed wine, set table. It is true that many are successful, even wise, who cannot communicate the essence of what they know to others in such a way that others can grow from their knowledge. It is either too deep within or its presentation is too muddled and thus indigestible.
Verse 3 is clearly another dominant characteristic of wisdom. It wants to have others gain from the wisdom it has learned. It sends out maidens. It seeks to enlighten others. True biblical wisdom does not have to be pried out of the hands of those who truly have it. They want desperately to communicate it. It is just a few who really want it. Notice that there are others beside wisdom itself that are enlisted. It is developing a communication strategy.
she has sent out her maidens
Wisdom wants to help. The message from these verses is that you cannot do this alone. One person totally alone, even with a book of wisdom, cannot discover and maintain a life of wisdom all by themselves. They need to be shown the way to do things: "mix their wine."
There is a complexity about life that demands that you need others helping you, advising you. Do not be so selfish and proud that you are independent and will not accept help.
she calls from the tops of the heights of the city
Wisdom does speak from a place of superiority and accomplishment, and it means that you must put aside your own pride to listen to the message. She is saying that there is a level of complexity and sophistication between where you are and where I am, and I would be more than happy to show you if you would listen. Are you willing to be humble enough to listen?
Too many times we see the rewards of wisdom – the prestige, the prosperity, the power – and we believe that we can get to that place on our own without help. Or we think we see the way that you get there: a straight line. But that is not true. That is a simple person's approach to life.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz