Slices
Prepare
Pray: ‘“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Lord, help me to hear, remember and heed your words.’
Bible passage
Get wisdom at any cost
4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
‘Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honour you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.’
Explore
‘Mind how you cross the road!’ As my brother and I grew old enough to walk to school or the shops on our own, Mum would call this after us every time we left the house. It grew to be such a habit that she did it once by accident when I was visiting from university! The things we hold to be of utmost importance we repeat over and over again.
These verses feel rather like that, don’t they? As if the last three chapters of warning, cajoling and exhorting haven’t been enough, Solomon once again instructs his son, ‘Get wisdom.’
Look at the different relationships he mentions to drive his point home. He himself learned wisdom from his parents (David and Bathsheba), as well as the importance of wisdom. He in turn is seeking to pass these lessons on to his son. Verses 6–9 again depict wisdom as a woman – and this time using quite romantic language (love, cherish, embrace). Through these images wisdom is being associated – in the son’s mind and ours – with love, nurture, passion and desire.
Respond
What do you think the costs might be, that Solomon hints at in verse 7? How might it be costly to pursue wisdom and understanding? Ask God to help you value wisdom as highly as Solomon did, and to seek it at any price.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 15,16; Psalm 34
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks for our army of faithful supporters who regularly pray for and give to the ministry of SU helping to reach the 95. Pray that God will meet all their needs spiritually, physically and financially as they sacrificially give to support all we do.
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Throughout the year we offer free online training sessions to help equip you as you prepare for key times of the year (Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas). These sessions aren't about selling you our latest resources (as good as they may be!) but they are all about training and equipping you to engage with the 95% of under-18s not in church as they Connect, Explore, Respond and Grow in their journey of faith.
