THE CALL
The Call – wisdom still cries out – Proverbs 8
“Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?” Proverbs 8:1
Have you ever let a call go to voice mail?
Have you ever rejected a call only to regret it later?
Have you ever received a call and rejoiced over the message?
In Proverbs 7 an adulterous & treacherous woman calls out loudly to a young man hoping to ensnare him:
“A woman (folly) came out to meet him, dressed like a prostitute with crafty intent; loud & defiant.”
In Proverbs 8 an adored & treasured woman, personified as wisdom, calls out to all mankind:
“I raise my voice to all mankind. Listen I have trustworthy things to say…wisdom more precious than rubies.”
To call – four understandings or usage in Scripture:
- “To call” is used to get our attention.
- “Calling” is naming something – to call into being and to be called for a purpose.
- “Called out” is being called away from something (often dark or evil) to something (better or good)
- “Called to” is being called to someone – God (to be in relationship with)
“Calling is the truth that God calls us to Himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to His summons and service.” – Os Guinness
On Sunday, August 31st we will finish our short study in Proverbs with a beautiful portrayal of wisdom calling out to us with the gift of life & the favor of God. We will hear of her excellence and her exclusive call to be sought/treasured above all else. Here is a brief outline of this poetic praise of God’s wisdom calling us to hear:
Wisdom’s call: “At the highest point along the way…beside the gate to the city (street level), she cries aloud.”
Wisdom’s character: “My lips speak what is right; my mouth speaks what is true…just and upright.”
Wisdom’s counsel – choice fruit: “My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.”
Wisdom’s counsel – creation’s coach: “I was there when He set the heavens in place; constantly at His side.”
Wisdom’s controversy: “The Lord brought me forth as the first of His works…I was formed” (created).
A fourth century priest, named Arius, denied the deity of the Son of God, holding that Jesus was created by God as His first works of creation and that the nature of Christ was unlike that of God the Father. Arianism is a view that Jesus is a finite created being with some divine attributes, but not eternal or divine Himself. Our belief and doctrinal statement of Jesus Christ contend Arianism to be a false doctrine. Variations of Arianism continue today, teaching an Arian-like position on Christ’s nature, denying the full deity of Jesus. As people of the Word we “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints…Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 3-4) the eternal one “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Wisdom’s choice: “Whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms self; all who hate me love death.” Receive & embrace wisdom or reject & disregard her call.
God’s Wisdom & Word still call out – Hebrews 1:1-2
In the past God spoke through the prophets at many times, in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the universe.”
There is no calling or unique purpose unless there is a “Caller” who created and calls us to Himself.
When we call out to God we will never hear, “I’m sorry the caller you are trying to reach is unavailable.”
Seeking the call & wisdom of God together,
Pastor Scott