The problem with wisdom is that it seems desirable until one has a bit of it, and then it slowly dawns that wisdom comes, but always with a cost. Indeed, it is debatable whether it is even worth attaining. Plus, the more one has the more one sees how unreliable the whole thing is. And oh, so, slippery! So unpredictable. And unverifiable. As soon as it starts to satisfy it also turns into a set of slow steps down into its most authentic form of Silence. Silent noticing.
There is no doubt that Wisdom comes to everyone, from time to time, and changes us. But can you ask for it? Or ‘Her’? Or even ‘Him’? Can you even identify it when it comes?
I am not sure if Wisdom is a new friend, or an old one. There was a long time ago when I saw a glimmer of light and put my foot on the road to get to it, and picked up my Bible, and started to read. I had Questions. It was a trap! It’s always the questions that Wisdom loves. And Wisdom always loves to give us more.
The beginning of this wisdom, I am told, is quite the riddle…. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight. (Proverbs 4 verse 7 NRSVA)
OK, so how does that pan out? We’re supposed to get it by simply ‘getting it’? What?…. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10 NRSV).
So, intrigue opens up the door. And fear of GOD helps us begin. But then, quite how….. and when…. will we ever know if it has come to us?
Aaaaah!….. and Shhhhhh!
Just shut this down!
(I do not think that we are meant to know).
Lisa Battye blogs 
The Wisdom passages in Proverbs seem to see Wisdom as female – a significant counter to more male pictures of God. Wisdom is present in everything God does and calls out to God’s people to listen to her.
I particularly like Proverbs 8. Its introduction speaks of Wisdom calling out on the heights, at the crossroads and at the gates.
If you have been to Kampala, you might know that, like Rome, it claims to have been built on seven hills at the top of those hills are some of the most significant religious buildings in the city. Namirembe Cathedral is one, St Mary’s Cathedral, Rubaga, another. Wisdom calling out on the heights. In Kisoro, this theme is amplified by Mt Muhubura (the mountain ‘that leads me home’). Wisdom leads me home!
The crossroads are the point of decision in life, wisdom stands there available to us, and she whispers quietly to us in the decisions we have to make. Whispering on behalf to God!
The gates were the place where, in the OT, all major society decisions were made, where business was transacted – think of Boaz and his sandal at the gate of the city with the elders in conclave. Wisdom promises to be there for us in our secular lives, our work, our business, whispering to us, if only we would still ourselves to listen.
The rest of the chapter speaks of Wisdom being present at the creation of the universe, being part of that creative energy, perhaps a counterpart to the ‘Word’ of the first chapter of John’s Gospel, perhaps both active in bringing into being all that God intended!
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Thank you. The calling out from from the heights, etc. is certainly a great counterpoint to my suggestion that the end of wisdom is silence!
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