Scripture, particularly passages like today’s reading (Proverbs 7-9), calls us to seek wisdom. New Testament books like James emphasize the importance of wisdom. Paul in I Corinthians 1 distinguishes between worldly wisdom and wisdom from God. Not all wisdom is wisdom.
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being[d] might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” ( I Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV).
To seek true wisdom is to seek Christ. Beware of worldly wisdom that is really foolishness in disguise.
[For more reflections on this passage see the corresponding reading in my book Cover to Cover: Through the Bible in 365 days].
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