"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. Proverbs 4:6
Of all the great love stories that have filled the pages of books, this one is by far, the least familiar. Believe me there are plenty of love stories (which to be honest, many are more like lust-stories or idolatry-stories) that capture the minds of men and women. This love story though - doesn't get much book or screen time.
I'm speaking of the love story between a man or woman and wisdom. That is what is described for us in this verse of chapter four of Proverbs. First, the father tells his son not to forsake her. The word "forsake" here means to abandon, to leave, to desert something or someone. How often has wisdom watched us teary-eyed as we descend into stupidity and foolish - crying out all the way, "Don't leave me!" Yet we leave - we abandon and desert wisdom and go out on our own. We return to her - often with the scars and the marks of sheer stupidity later - wondering how we left such a "hottie" for a "nottie." Sin and stupidity looked so good for a moment - in fact sin promised so much. Problem is that sin never delivered (and never does).
If only we had not forsaken our love - our Wisdom. She would have guarded us. The word for guard here is our old Hebrew friend "shamar" which means to keep watch over, to preserve, to be careful and diligent. This was the word used for a doorkeeper or a guard. She would have protected us from the ravages of evil and the mistakes of foolishness. If only we would have listened.
The love story here involves love itself. Wisdom gave all of herself to us. What we should have given in return was an equal love. The word for love here (aheb) means to have a strong emotional attachment to and desire either to possess - or to be in the presence of another. If only our love would have reached this level. If only we had desired wisdom and gotten fully attached to her. If only we had desired to possess her - to have her - and to keep her near. To be in the presence of wisdom whether it meant sage older men - or just a good book (actually THE good book). How often has Wisdom desired that we return the great love of the Father to us. If we would love like this - responding to Wisdom's call and Wisdom's protection - she would have literally "protected us" and "watched over" us.
God has given us His Word - and has put it in a 31 chapter volume that holds great wisdom for us. How He desires that the love He gives us through Wisdom - through the Holy Spirit teaching and leading, and guiding us - would be returned.
There is a love story that will bless us marvelously, if we will become a character in it. This love story promises to be one that will last throughout all the ages. It is almost as if this love story has existed all throughout time - and is available to anyone who will embrace wisdom - and hold wisdom fast. Know this - each and every day you awake and get ready to start your day - there is One who loves you more than you could ever imagine. There is a wisdom that He wants you to have - that will guard and watch over you for good and for blessing. This love is there if you will respond. The question then resounds, "Are you going to get involved, or are you just going to play the field?" How you answer that question will determine whether you enter into the most awesome love story ever - or just waste your life on bad choices.
Of all the great love stories that have filled the pages of books, this one is by far, the least familiar. Believe me there are plenty of love stories (which to be honest, many are more like lust-stories or idolatry-stories) that capture the minds of men and women. This love story though - doesn't get much book or screen time.
I'm speaking of the love story between a man or woman and wisdom. That is what is described for us in this verse of chapter four of Proverbs. First, the father tells his son not to forsake her. The word "forsake" here means to abandon, to leave, to desert something or someone. How often has wisdom watched us teary-eyed as we descend into stupidity and foolish - crying out all the way, "Don't leave me!" Yet we leave - we abandon and desert wisdom and go out on our own. We return to her - often with the scars and the marks of sheer stupidity later - wondering how we left such a "hottie" for a "nottie." Sin and stupidity looked so good for a moment - in fact sin promised so much. Problem is that sin never delivered (and never does).
If only we had not forsaken our love - our Wisdom. She would have guarded us. The word for guard here is our old Hebrew friend "shamar" which means to keep watch over, to preserve, to be careful and diligent. This was the word used for a doorkeeper or a guard. She would have protected us from the ravages of evil and the mistakes of foolishness. If only we would have listened.
The love story here involves love itself. Wisdom gave all of herself to us. What we should have given in return was an equal love. The word for love here (aheb) means to have a strong emotional attachment to and desire either to possess - or to be in the presence of another. If only our love would have reached this level. If only we had desired wisdom and gotten fully attached to her. If only we had desired to possess her - to have her - and to keep her near. To be in the presence of wisdom whether it meant sage older men - or just a good book (actually THE good book). How often has Wisdom desired that we return the great love of the Father to us. If we would love like this - responding to Wisdom's call and Wisdom's protection - she would have literally "protected us" and "watched over" us.
God has given us His Word - and has put it in a 31 chapter volume that holds great wisdom for us. How He desires that the love He gives us through Wisdom - through the Holy Spirit teaching and leading, and guiding us - would be returned.
There is a love story that will bless us marvelously, if we will become a character in it. This love story promises to be one that will last throughout all the ages. It is almost as if this love story has existed all throughout time - and is available to anyone who will embrace wisdom - and hold wisdom fast. Know this - each and every day you awake and get ready to start your day - there is One who loves you more than you could ever imagine. There is a wisdom that He wants you to have - that will guard and watch over you for good and for blessing. This love is there if you will respond. The question then resounds, "Are you going to get involved, or are you just going to play the field?" How you answer that question will determine whether you enter into the most awesome love story ever - or just waste your life on bad choices.
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