Good Morning. 

A long time ago, in the previous century, I used to say half in jest: “God forgives sinners and condemns fools!”  What I meant was that sin was primarily a product of human weakness, and God forgives us for the fallen nature of our humanity.  On the other hand I defined fools as those who abused or misused their strengths, the gifts that God has given us to be used for the spread of God’s kingdom.  Perhaps not the greatest theological statement, but it seemed like a pretty good one-liner.  As I said, half in jest.

The opposite of foolishness is wisdom.  The opposite of a fool is a wise person.  Scripture says a good deal about wisdom.  In today’s reading from Job we read:  “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?  Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living.[Job 28:12-13]”  Wisdom, it would seem, is a rare commodity.

What is wisdom?  The dictionary gives it several definitions, some simply about an accumulation of facts and learning, but the ones that I think are more significant are the ones that say wisdom is the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships or just good sense.  Wisdom is one of those things that most of us would have a hard time defining clearly, but we would probably insist that we know it when we see it. 

It’s a long way in scripture from Job to James, but in James we find the same question: “Who is wise and understanding among you? [James 3:13]”  The author of James is always concerned about faith translated into action, and it’s no different here:  “Let them [who are wise] show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [James 3:14]”  For James, humility is a product of wisdom. 

According to James there is more than one source for what passes as “wisdom.”  There is the “wisdom” of the world, which tries to define how we should live and what “success” really means, and there is the wisdom which comes from the Lord.  The easiest way to tell the difference would seem to be the presence of humility.  The wisdom of the world produces “envy and selfish ambition. [James 3:16]”  “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [James 3:17]”

Job doesn’t really define wisdom in the abstract – nor does James – but Job does point us in the right direction: “Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.[Job 28:28]”  

Let us pray:  Almighty God, source of life and wisdom, You gave us Your commandments to point us in the direction of wisdom, but we chose folly.  You sent us Your Son to show us how to live a life defined by Your wisdom, but we waver and want to negotiate with You.  We call you awesome, yet we seek the counsel of this world rather than You.  Forgive us, O God.  Sustain us and fill us with Your Spirit that we might see and live the life that You want for us.  Forgive us, O God, for still trying to displace Your place with our arrogant and reckless folly.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Today’s readings are Job 28:1-28; Acts 16:25-40; John 12:27-36a; Psalm 70, 71 & 74.

Blessings.

Pastor Jim