Usually we think of wisdom as something that grows and develops as we age. As we accumulate experiences, we reflect on them, learn from them, and develop new understandings that we fold into what we know. We begin to look at circumstances from multiple perspectives. If we do this work, we become wise—or at least wiser—as we mature.
But the imagery in this passage suggests that human wisdom and divine Wisdom differ. Divine Wisdom originates before anything that is created. It is like the familiar verse of John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” God’s Word and God’s Wisdom preexist water, earth, sky, and the form of the universe. God’s Wisdom creates, gives birth, gives shape to otherwise amorphous elements. And in the end, the creation of humanity that can grow in wisdom is God’s Wisdom’s delight.
When an older, wiser person—parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, teacher, mentor, spiritual guide, religious leader—truly enjoys us, when their eyes light as we come into their presence, when their voice warms with affection, we experience delight because we sense finite wisdom and glimpse Wisdom that is infinite.
Wisdom who brought us forth, make yourself known to us, that we too may grow in wisdom. As you delight in us, so may we delight in one another. Amen.
In our society we often privilege intellect and expertise. However, in Proverbs we read that God values wisdom. Wisdom has been present since the beginning, and some early theologians understand this Wisdom to be none other than the Son of God. Part of wisdom is understanding our place in the universe. The psalmist marvels at the vast display of God’s power in the heavens yet also recognizes that humans are a manifestation of God’s glory. The New Testament readings invoke the Trinity as we approach Trinity Sunday. Paul says that we have peace with God through Christ, and we are given the Holy Spirit. In John’s Gospel, we read that Jesus Christ has received everything from the Father, and the Spirit will guide his followers into all truth.
Read Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31. When have you heard God calling out to you?
Read Psalm 8. The author reminds us that our shortcomings are not because we are only human but because we fall short of our humanity. How do you strive to be more human—a little lower than God?
Read Romans 5:1-5. How do you allow God’s peace to calm you when you feel your life swirling around you?
Read John 16:12-15. To which person of the Trinity do you feel “closest”? How can you develop your relationship with the other two persons?
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