The Spiritual Side
Wisdom and Her Ways of Pleasantness
by Rick Ness
Minverva statue in Athens, Greece
In previous articles, I have written about wholeness in life and how our connection to God is part of that. One way of connecting to God is through reading sacred texts, a/k/a scripture. All the faith traditions that I know of have them.
Scripture does not necessarily mean dull genealogies, rules, regulations and subsequent consequences. Indeed, anyone looking for some romantic, even erotic, poetry for Valentine’s Day should check out Song of Solomon:
8:6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.
SOLOMON
Solomon was an ancient ruler known for his wisdom. His father was King David, who is known for slaying the mighty Philistine Warrior Goliath (1 Sam. Chap. 17). Solomon is accredited with other books including Proverbs, which offers a great number of ideas regarding having and seeking wisdom. In Proverbs 1-3, Wisdom is described in feminine terms having been with God from the beginning of creation:
Proverb 3: 17-18: “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy” (NRSV)
Another great piece of Scripture attributed to Solomon is in Ecclesiastes, from the Hebrew “Qoheleth” sometimes translated as teacher or preacher, and includes advise such as:
5:18 This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot.
9:7 Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do.
Wisdom literature is not about just having a good time but finding the true joy and completeness that wisdom brings to life. Wisdom is part of God, and seeking her is part of a spiritual journey towards wholeness. If winter blues get you down, read the Bible with a friend and seek guidance for the journey together.
Rick Ness
Rick attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and was a Commissioned Lay Pastor who served a Presbyterian Church in Maine for seven years. Contact him at rickthewestendnews@gmail.com.
