Dave Dishman

One of the pleasures of reading Proverbs rests in its clear-minded wisdom. No hemming and hawing—truth laid bare.

This gem stood out to me recently: The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly.

I read about fraudsters bilking the government out of millions of dollars and cannot help but detest their actions and feel contempt for their persons. On the other hand, those engaging in these illegal activities scorn anyone looking over their shoulder. They prefer to remain anonymous in the shadowy corridors of their criminal behavior.

Is it OK to despise the unjust? Solomon doesn’t give a moral judgement, he just says what’s true. My first reaction to get angry, which in Solomon’s mind is the expected response. Should we bring such actors to justice, and give them a chance to repent and repay? Absolutely. We can even forgive.

But one thing is certain. Those enjoying the fruits of their corrupt behaviors won’t rise up and call us blessed. They will claw and spit and litigate. Why? Because they despise laws put in place by good people. The wicked are why we have laws in the first place.

Do I deplore those who cheat the system and take advantage of the vulnerable? Certainly, as all fair-minded citizens should. These criminals steal from the society that sustains them and then voice their disrespect for anyone questioning their actions. As Solomon pointed out all those years ago, in the see-sawing of justice one feeling is mutual—both sides despise the other.

Proverbs 29:27

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You know that feeling you get laying in bed in the middle of the night and wondering if you’re missing something? Or the sense of calm and peacefulness settling over you on a quiet walk in the woods? Or maybe the lack of elation after achieving a major goal and you wonder, is this all there is?

The Scriptures are filled with people wondering the same question. One psalmist despaired over his ongoing loneliness and desperation. His described his yearning as deep calling to deep. He added, my soul thirsts for the living God.

Augustine recognized the problem as well and penned the famous phrase: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.

Even with all the wonderful gifts at my disposal, plenty to eat and drink, a comfortable home to enjoy, health and wealth and friends and family, my gut gnaws for something more. That insatiable feeling is my soul seeking sustenance. It’s deep calling to deep. The most profound part of myself longs to connect with its Creator.

So how do I connect with the Lord? Slowly and quietly. By praying, reading the Bible, pondering its teachings and listening for the Lord. Nothing flashy or expensive. Just time and space and quiet to open the conduit and allow deep to flow to deep.

Psalm 42

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The book of Proverbs is filled with clever sayings revealing wisdom in all its forms. I’ve heard it said that if you were to read one chapter of Proverbs a day for the rest of your life you would develop into one of the wisest people in the world. I would add the caveat that putting the words into practice should follow the reading, but I understand the point.

People surround us who spout out all sorts of opinions, most not clever at all. Social media in particular creates an atmosphere for outlandish views. The more absurd or angry the better, as such draws attention and racks up the “clicks” so deeply desired. Scalding triumphs over soothing.

This line from King Solomon reminded me of many of the notions I see expressed online: A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.

We see this played out again and again. Someone harangues their audience, gains blessed attention, but clearly lacks understanding. Before long, the internet mob turns and metaphorically beats this person to the ground. The mob moves on, leaving behind a bloody victim who hopefully learned a lesson.

Often the words of the wise involve listening a lot and speaking very little. Or perhaps not speaking at all. I might add that one way to keep safe from the social media rabble is to avoid posting opinions on those platforms. Why enter the swamp of fools when a bridge to wisdom exists?

And a bridge to wisdom indeed exists. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We learn to fear the Lord by spending time in his Word, a place of safety and sagacity.

Proverbs 14:3

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There’s an old proverb that says a woman reserves the right to change her mind. I’ve learned by experience that’s true, and I believe we all should change our minds from time to time. But many of us rarely do.

People fall into pattens. Thinking the same thoughts, watching the same programs, and reading from the same sources. All this yields the same inner smugness. Rarely do we allow ourselves to be challenged. In today’s media world one finds echo chambers all around. I discover channels that speak what I want to hear and never turn the dial. I settle into a rut carved for me and follow blithely along.

But the Lord promises so much more! Paul wrote: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

I’m not tied to what I’ve always thought and how I’ve always lived. The Lord promises a new start. I don’t need to accept the latest teachings or philosophies pushed my way, but I can test them, mull them over, push against them, and look to God for wisdom.

This is so incredibly hopeful. A source of wisdom and insight exists beyond the chattering classes of this world. My mind is not locked down tight. The Lord can renovate how I think and from there how I act. I reserve the right to change my mind, especially if I remain open to the Lord changing it for me.

Romans 12:2

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