The road into town …

Listen as Wisdom calls out!

    Hear as understanding raises her voice!

On the hilltop along the road,

    she takes her stand at the crossroads.

By the gates at the entrance to the town,

    on the road leading in, she cries aloud,

“I call to you, to all of you!

    I raise my voice to all people.” Proverbs 8:1-4

How obvious is this? Wisdom is everywhere. Wake up everyone! Look! Listen!

It’s on the hilltop …

     along the road …

     at the crossroads …

     by the gates …

     at the entrance to the town …

     on the road leading in …

That’s a pretty ubiquitous coverage of wisdom. It’s everywhere and it’s for everyone. “To all of you,” could have possibly meant just the nation of Israel, but “to all people” leaves no doubt. It’s inclusive of everyone.

But how do you find this wisdom when there are so many lies, fabrications, manipulations, theories and false teachers going on and on about their idea of what is wise (which could actually be foolish)? How do we determine the truth? How do you listen for wisdom in the midst of so much foolishness?

Later on in this chapter the writer of Proverbs says about wisdom, “Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception” (8:6-7). So how do you select that clear sound of truth from among the lies? How do you know? Who can you trust?

Well, first we must determine that wisdom is calling out as the Proverb says. It is everywhere. And that you can hear it. And here’s how you can know it is from God: because it agrees with the word of God, and it is confirmed by the Holy Spirit in your heart. And it’s up to you to recognize this. It’s up to you to know it. No one else can do this work for you.

But here’s the fun part: it’s a privilege; it’s a joy; and it’s an art to do this. Learn it. Practice it. And be sure you keep up with the word of God. You can’t recognize it if you don’t know it.

Who can you trust when all turns to dust

And the dreams of men lie battered and crushed?

How can you say this … this is the way

When the founders of “wisdom” lie in coffins of clay?

Where is the truth that will stand the test …

The test of time?

Flowers will fade and fall away

But the word of God is here to stay

Man shall not live by bread alone

But by every word from the mouth of God

              – from the song “The Word” by John Fischer