Two texts caught my eye, this morning. Wisdom speaks in the first: “I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly” (8:14-16). In considering the unfaithfulness and foolhardiness of the people of Jerusalem, Jeremiah described the situation: “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so” (Jeremiah 5:31). That statement right there pretty much sums up the situation in our country, today. For the most part our rulers and our elites do not rule wisely; rather they give in to the unruly crowds and govern unwisely and poorly. And to make the situation worse, the people seem to love it.
We can speak to the nation and to those who govern us; Solomon describes the situation: “Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning” (9:7-9). Strong reminders that we need to speak wisdom to and pray for our nation and our leaders.
Happy the man who finds the grace,
The blessing of God’s chosen race,
The wisdom coming from above,
The faith that sweetly works by love.
Wisdom divine! who tells the price
Of wisdom's costly merchandise?
Wisdom to silver we prefer,
And gold is dross compared to her.
Her hands are filled with length of days,
True riches, and immortal praise,
Riches of Christ on all bestowed,
And honour that descends from God. –Charles Wesley (1788)