Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
“Dame
Wisdom” and “Dame Folly”
“Get wisdom; get insight” (v. 5)
Any parent would love to quote Proverbs 4: 1
(“My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn
good judgment”) in order to demand unconditional obedience from their children.
This verse however, like all other passages in the Bible, needs to be read in
thecontext of the theme of that chapter and, indeed, the whole book of
Proverbs.While Proverbs is primarily addressed to young men (note the repeated warnings in the book to “my son”), among the young men’s
faithful tutors are women. The book distinguishes between women who should be
emulated and women who are to be avoided. Accordingly, chapters 1-9 distinguish
between two women: “Dame Wisdom” and “Dame Folly”. It is tempting to interpret
the message of the Proverbs as theadvice to young men to stay away from women
of questionable character andinstead, aspire to gain a “virtuous wife”. In a
broader sense however, “Dame Wisdom” and “Dame Folly”are opposing figures and
rivals who are engaged in a moral combat for sovereignty. Rather than two
persons, the two figures represent two ways of life and indeed, the choices all
of us should make in our lives.
Within this larger framework of the book of
Proverbs, today’s passage contains valuable paternal instruction (“Hear my
child, and accept my words..” v. 10). The focus herehowever, is not so much on
the student’s blind obedience to his/her parents as on the need for young
people to be open to wisdom and to insight. The instructions of the parents are
relevant only to the extent they are true to the wisdom from above. The
passagein fact, discusses two terms: wisdom and insight. Is there a difference,
or are they synonymous with each other? Scholars point out that probably both
the meanings could have been intended. Wisdom could be understood as the
power from above and insight, the human response to it. Thegaining of wisdom
can be considered the prerequisite for the possession of insight.
In the ultimate analysis, the book of
Proverbs is not so much a collection of free-standing, unrelated instructions
to the student. Rather, its focus is on the need to cling to wisdom rather than
seek one’s own personal advancement. We need to gain and retain “Dame Wisdom”
so as not to be swayed by the lures of “Dame Folly”. As Solomon, the writer of
Proverbs realized, when oneseeks wisdom, the rest of God’s blessings will
follow.
Prayer: Our parent God, we seek your wisdom so that we
may make the right choices in our lives. Amen.
Thought for the day:Are parental instructions always
synonymous with what is right and proper in God’s sight?
Jesudas Athyal, Carmel MTC, Boston