Usually observation posts are set in high places to provide advanced warning of potential threats. Solomon was a keen military and political strategist, but more so an observer of people. It is as if He set up personal observation post (think duck blind) at ground level all around the city, in the bustling busiest squares as well as the quiet alleys where people thought no one was looking. He was a keen observer of the relationship between actions, words, character and life’s outcomes. Listen to his poetry:
Wisdom shouts in the street,
She lifts her voice in the square;
At the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:
How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded?
And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing
And fools hate knowledge?
Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
Because I called and you refused,
I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
And you neglected all my counsel
And did not want my reproof;
I will also laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your dread comes,
When your dread comes like a storm
And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord.
They would not accept my counsel,
They spurned all my reproof.
So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices.
For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
But he who listens to me shall live securely
And will be at ease from the dread of evil.
My dear brothers and sisters, don’t wait to
start your Bible study until
after calamity strikes. Seek God’s wisdom now, no matter how young you are, no matter how old you are, no matter how good you think you’re handling things so you may avoid the anguish when difficult things happen. God’s word and Spirit will give you insight so that you will not be overwhelmed if you seek it in advance. Life in this mortal body is not going to be easy, so
do more than just passively listen and thinking that “believing” is enough. (James 2:19)
“My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God.”
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