Advice from Women

Day 140: Proverbs 25-28

If women had contributed to the book of Proverbs, I wonder what they would have written. The main reason I ask this question is because there is a lot about living with a quarrelsome wife or being married to a nag. I recognize that there is wisdom in these references, but it has got me thinking that I'm sure women have wisdom to add about being married to men, too. Advice they could pass on to future generations. I wonder why God didn't include any of these proverbs in the Bible. I'm sure part of it was a cultural thing and the specific role delegated to women, but there are women prophets in the Bible, and stories about women as well. There are even prayers by women, such as Hannah's and Mary's prayers. So why not have a woman contribute a proverb or two?

If you are a woman reading this, what advice would you contribute? What wisdom would you impart to future generations? I think it's interesting to consider.

Thoughts on various proverbs

Day 139: Proverbs 21-24

Proverbs 21:30: "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD."
The Lord has plans, and we have plans, and no plans will succeed against the Lord. I'm still processing the meaning of this proverb, but I think it's significant. 

Proverbs 22:1: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
My dad always stressed the importance of a good reputation. While we often are told to not care what other people think about you, I think it's important to have a good name for yourself. It's not necessarily that we should be so concerned about what others think that we succumb to negative peer pressure; rather, we should consider the source of all wisdom (God) and care about what He thinks. The reputation we have affects those around us and influences our families, but for Christians, it also reflects on God.

Proverbs 22:6: "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
This passage is encouraging to me, especially when parenting can be so hard. I've told this to myself many times. Now I know that this isn't always true; I know people who have been raised in godly, Christian homes, and this hasn't yet been the case. However, I do think that God isn't finished with them yet.

Proverbs 22:16: "Those who oppress the poor to increase their wealth and those who give gifts to the rich—both come to poverty."
 
Proverbs 22:22: "Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life."

These two passages spoke to me specifically because in my Argumentative and Persuasive Writing course, we have been reading Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. This book investigates the lives of low-wage workers--those who work in all those hourly jobs who can barely make their income match their expenses. It's a really interesting look, and when you read passages like these Bible verses, it opens the reading up to a whole new perspective. 

Food for Thought: Wisdom from Proverbs

Day 138: Proverbs 17-20

Here's some wisdom from Proverbs 17:8:

"A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!"

 Huh?

Proverbs 17:16: "It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning."

That's not how it works in this country. Are there even such things as fools?

Proverbs 17:28: "Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent." Now, I like this one.

Here's one I need to hear sometimes: Proverbs 18:13: "Spouting off before listening to the facts
      is both shameful and foolish."

Proverbs 20:19 :" A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much."

I'll end with this one: Proverbs 19:20: "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life."

Pray for Wisdom

Day 136: Proverbs 9-12

I like how wisdom is personified in Proverbs, how she is given human characteristics. So far in my reading of Proverbs, I notice how much emphasis is placed on getting wisdom. Wisdom is looking for you, and you should look for it. Wisdom will also give you a long life, so seek wisdom. This week, I continue praying for wisdom. I feel some peace after praying this prayer this week, and I am confident that once I pray for wisdom, I will be better able to discern what the right decisions are for me. Many of these proverbs seem like rules for living, maxims to make a better life for yourself. But when you read these together, the focus is on wisdom and on making wise and righteous decisions.

Get Wisdom

Day 134: Proverbs 1-4

Tonight, I have been reminded by Proverbs the importance of seeking wisdom, insight, and understanding. I consider myself a wise person. I don't say this to brag, but I do think it's one of the gifts God has given me. Yet still, discerning what is wise can be so difficult, especially when the decision is a difficult one. I'm reminded that I should go to God when I need this wisdom. Proverbs tells us to search for wisdom like you would hidden treasures. Seek wisdom by asking God for it. Proverbs 3 says,

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes;  fear the LORD and shun evil."

So you gain wisdom by seeking God. In the midst of important decisions I have to make right now, I am reminded to seek wisdom, to get wisdom.