“A soft answer turns away wrath,

    but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

Ever catch yourself in the midst of a disagreement making your point with increasingly more “clarity” and “emphasis”? By clarity and emphasis I mean turning up the attitude and the volume. Why do we do that? So much of what we have learned (by word and observations) about navigating through life is based on the idea that “might makes right.” If I’m stronger than you then I’m right and you should submit to my desires or ideas. The other component is a selfish heart that desires what it wants and will fight tooth and nail to get it.

My observation is that in such situations, my interlocutor usually turns up the attitude and volume, too. That sounds a whole lot like “a harsh word stirs up anger.” If we could step outside that event on the moment, we would see something quite pitiful as the volume and sharp words increase, like two heavyweight boxers matching each other blow for blow. Think of each blow being another can of gasoline being poured on the fire.

Have you ever gone into a disagreement ready to do verbal battle only to have the other person not play along? In other words, they didn’t respond forcefully or unkindly? What a let down! Who wants to argue with someone who refuses to argue? Our culture and flesh demand that we respond in kind: “If you poke me, I’ll poke you harder.” Wisdom demands that we not fall prey to the folly of our culture or flesh. Wisdom teaches that a man can refuse to pour gasoline on the fire by answering softly or kindly. That’s not always easy, but it is right.

“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

    but righteousness delivers from death.”

Some may too quickly read past the implications of this verse because riches are something we think of in the here and now. However, this verse is speaking of the life to come. In contrast to the Egyptian idea of burying the dead with all the items they will need to pass over to and survive in the next life, the writer says, “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath.” In other words, even if you could take it with you, it wouldn’t do you any good.

Rather than riches, the one thing that delivers us in the the next life is righteousness. This verse isn’t an argument against wealth, it’s an argument against the notion that anything but righteousness will be helpful when we depart this world. Second Corinthians 5:21 speaks to this topic: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The him in this verse is Jesus Christ. Thus, Jesus Christ made it possible for me to have righteousness; not just to have righteousness, though. He made it possible for me to “become the righteousness of God.”

What are you trusting in when it comes to the certain day of judgement?

“He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,

    but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”

Proverbs 10:5 ESV

Here, Solomon uses an agricultural setting to make a universal point. If you are not connected to a farm in any way, you can still get the point Solomon is making. To whit, the one who takes care of his business at the proper time is wise; the one who doesn’t is a fool.

So, whether you are a programmer, a student, a mechanic, a homemaker, get your stuff done at the right time.

“The woman Folly is loud;

    she is seductive and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house;

    she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,

¹⁵ calling to those who pass by,

    who are going straight on their way,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

    And to him who lacks sense she says,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet,

    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there,

    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.”

Proverbs 9:13-18 ESV

The typical approach in the book of Proverbs is to contrast wisdom and folly. Chapter nine presents a wonderful contrast between the two, but not without first presenting some similarities.

Like Wisdom in verses 3-6, Folly is personified as a woman in verses 13-18. Also, like Wisdom, Folly isn’t content to be alone. Her desperate desire is that others join her. Thus, she locates herself in public places – “at the door of her house” or “in the highest places of the town” (vs. 14) – from where she calls passersby. Her call is the same as that of Wisdom’s: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” However – and this is where the contrasts between Wisdom and Folly begin – Folly’s intent with the simple is not to make him wise.

In contrast to Wisdom, Folly “knows nothing” (vs. 13), and she desires that we be like her, simpletons. To that point she is an evangelist, trying to draw our affections with “stolen water” and “bread eaten in secret” (vs. 17). What she doesn’t say, and what we find out too late – after we have stopped by her place for foolish pleasure – is “that the dead are there, that her guests [those of us fools who took the bait] are in the depths of Sheol” (vs. 18).

Folly reminds me of a turkey hunter in so many ways. The hunter disguises himself and projects the sound of a turkey, and by the time the turkey realizes (if he does) that he has responded to a false offer, it’s too late. The hunter has his prize.

Beware, every voice that says, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” is not Wisdom. Folly desires to destroy you. Wisdom desires to give you life. We have to be able to discern between the voice of Wisdom and Folly. What’s your plan to do that?

“To you, O men, I call,

    and my cry is to the children of man.”

Proverbs 4:8 ESV

I suppose that every one of us, at one time or another, struggles with pride. In this case, I think there is a tendency to say, “This isn’t for me. It’s for those people.” And by those people we mean anyone who is not us. As I think through this scenario, I keep hearing the tough guy question: “You talkin’ to me?” Wisdom’s polite reply is, “Yes, I’m talkin’ to you.”

Wisdom cries out “to the children of man,” which covers everyone … the tough guy, the nerd, the wise person, and the fool. If you are not interested in wisdom at all, you need this. If you are interested in wisdom, but think you don’t need more at this time, you are not as wise as you think.

“Listen to advice and accept instruction,

    that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

Proverbs 19:20 ESV

Wisdom is calling. How are you (yes, you!) responding.