Readings: Numbers 12,13  Proverbs 8,9  Luke 22

"WHOEVER FINDS ME FINDS LIFE"
       Today we read nearly 50 verses in Proverbs on the wonderful value
of Godly wisdom.  It is written *as though wisdom is a person* – and of
course the Lord Jesus is the one and only perfect example of such a person.
Solomon himself was invited by God to ask for a gift and was commended
because he asked for “a wise and understanding heart” [1 Kings 3 v.5-12]

        We picked out several powerful points in these proverbs.

        Wisdom says, *“I love those who love me*, those who seek me
diligently, find me.” [8 v.17] Wisdom has to be sought for!  “I wisdom
dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.  The fear (awe)
of the LORD *is to hate evil*.” [v.12,13]

          We can add to this wisdom’s further words, “*wickedness is
an* abomination
to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing
twisted or crooked in them” [v.7,8].  And surely that applies to written
words also, such as emails! Wisdom grants “an inheritance to those who love
me” [v.21]

           Our Bibles’ reveal the nature of that inheritance. It is very
obvious that Jesus is a living example of true wisdom.

           Verses 22 to 30 give us a powerful account of the absolute
knowledge and wisdom that was used *in creating all that exists* on this
earth.  “Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the
earth” [v.23] In these days scientists are discovering more and more of the
boundless extent of the interlocking working of nature, so many forms of
life are utterly remarkable and, what’s more, they depend on one another. *But
tragically, so many have* a blindfold over their minds, failing to see it
all as the handiwork of God.

            In the final 2 verses of Ch. 8 wisdom says, “For *whoever finds
me finds life*, and obtains favour from the LORD, *but he who fails to* *find
me* injures him (or her)self, and all who hate me love death.”

           Let us seek and *“find*” Jesus - as the embodiment of wisdom. We
can read v.32,33 as being his words, “… blessed are those who keep my
ways.  *Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it*.”

D. Caudery