PROVERBS

Most of us are able to speak, and all of us have a voice.  If we want to be wise, we should speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. We should use our voice, our vote, our abilities to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to look around and notice who is being crushed and ensure justice for them. There is ever present the temptation to speak up for those who can benefit us, to try and build alliances that will benefit our agenda. So we speak words in favor of those who control things and who might open doors for us.  But the wise man counsels us to speak up for those who cannot be heard on their own. He says to speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice. This was pretty radical wisdom in a culture that believed being poor and helpless was a sign a person had displeased God so they sort of deserved their post in life. How do we counter that thinking today, and how can we let our voice be heard on their behalf? Are we willing to call each other, the church, other institutions and government to see they get justice?

I once heard a speaker who counseled his listeners to quit spending so much energy on figuring out if something was right or wrong, and simply inquire, “Is this the wise thing to do?” Who, in their right minds, would want to do the foolish thing?  Apparently, many people. There are proverbs that warn of the foolishness of just using our own opinions to make decisions, and that the wise listen to others. There is safety with many counselors. There are Proverbs about the wise seeking knowledge and fools eating trash. Some about not talking too much, about avoiding fights and not quarreling.  The wise set themselves up for success by choosing wisdom over foolishness. This may be why Solomon writes, “Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.” He knew that there are many more foolish decisions made once we are led astray by drink. How do we get ahead of many problems that come with clouded judgment caused by alcohol? Maybe we can consider our choices not with all the weight of right and wrong, but maybe with just what makes us wise and what makes us foolish. This doesn’t just pertain to alcohol, but to so many other life choices as well.

Often following graduation there’s this urge to go find the perfect job that will pay a bunch, invest well, and get rich. (Isn’t that why you got educated?)  Solomon warns about trying to get rich, especially “get-rich-quick” schemes. On the other end of the spectrum are those who think life will be handed to them, and so they are lazy and miss opportunity.  Wisdom is found in the balance between working hard to build a life and resources, and no concern about the future that results in laziness. We will search for the balancing point.

Graduation and graduation talks are not usually packed with humble words. Instead, graduates hear about how they have arrived, they did it, they are smart, how far they’ve come, and that the future is in their hands.  Sometimes this can cause feelings of pride and superiority to all those somewhere behind them in the academic journey. Solomon explains that pride ends in humiliation and disgrace, while humility brings wisdom and honor and opens the door to receive God’s grace, which he gives to the humble.  Tied to this are words of counsel about keeping your mouth shut and not blowing your own horn - a bit different counsel than most graduation talks.