We can’t finish Proverbs without talking about the end. As we finish up Proverbs, I don’t want any of you to think for a second that you can live the Proverbs on your own, in your own strength, in your own power. I don’t want you to think that is what God expects of you.
Proverbs 31:10-31 describes a much different ideal woman than what our culture is selling. It’s not about tiny waists or perfect teeth, long flowing hair or beautiful dresses. This woman’s most treasured characteristic is that she fears the Lord.
God has some very specific wisdom and counsel when it comes to choosing the people we allow to influence us. When we think about the impact of relationships, it is helpful to take into account what Solomon says about the core of who we are – our hearts (used hundreds of times in the Bible.)
What if we could receive friendship guidance from the One who made us and understands us? What might He say about our friendships? The most commonly used word for “friend” and “neighbor” in the book of Proverbs is formed from the verb meaning “associate with”. The noun thus refers to another person with whom one is close. The translation “friend” indicates emotional attachment, while “neighbor” fits those contexts where spatial intimacy is meant.
Every waking moment of our lives, we operate from one of two viewpoints: human or divine. Our human perspective is desperate for control; we clamor for control as if this whole thing depends on us. We remain willfully and stubbornly limited to our human perspective. We prefer to do it our own way.
We are captivated by the rich, strong, good looking and powerful. Most of our personal fantasies involve us getting rich, stronger, better looking and more powerful. Our eyes are constantly scanning for these characteristics; our flesh craves these traits. As all the eyes of the world are on the wealthy and influential and the powerful, where are God’s eyes?
The theology of Proverbs in biblical perspective is this: The wisdom of God has been built into the created order through Christ, God’s master builder. When we live wisely, when we live skillfully, we live in accordance with the way God has made the world. Ultimately, Christ is the fulfillment of God’s wisdom, embodying it to the fullest.
Often we separate our work, our vocations, into sacred or secular. Sacred work is seen as inherently spiritual and secular work isn’t. Sacred vocations are pastors and missionaries at non-profit and parachurch organizations. Then there are “secular” jobs that, in our minds, are less significant to God. These jobs and roles are simply to make money to support the real work of God.
For those who have money, you typically have to address the love of it, the stewardship of it and how deceptive it is in making us feel autonomous and self-sufficient. For those who don’t have money, you typically have to address the fantasies of what money can bring and what it can’t bring. You have to address the idea that success and meaning is equal to the money we have in our bank accounts and our earning power.
As a parent, at some point you will be confronted with your inability to rescue your child from the pain of their decisions or the pain of this world. You’ve spent every minute of your parenting life believing that if you were a good enough parent, you could prevent certain things from happening to your kids. But you didn’t prevent it; you couldn’t prevent it. And here you are – overwhelmed with feelings of powerlessness.
