Sept. 18, 2011

Background Scripture: Proverbs 10:1-15:3

Devotional Reading: Proverbs 1-7

The recurrent theme of Proverbs is that the wise person is he or she who is open to receive instruction. A certain amount of wisdom is necessary to receive more wisdom.

“In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of fools.” So, there are rewards for wisdom and dire consequences for foolishness.

While there are usually rewards for wise decisions, the New Testament teaches us, nevertheless, the good and wise man may end up on a cross. So, we seek wisdom and righteousness not for guaranteed rewards, but to remain faithful to God and His will.

Still, that doesn’t mean we should be ignorant of the usual penalties for willful ignorance and the usual benefits of being open to wise instruction. Humble wisdom generally makes life better: “Folly is a joy to him who has no sense, but a man of understanding walks aright … The wise man’s path leads upward to life, that he may avoid Sheol beneath” (15:21-24).

For the sages, the key components of wisdom are kindliness of speech, courtesy in reply, the wisdom of silence and caution in speaking. These may appear rather passive until we realize how these could enrich our lives as individuals, families and communities.

Think how much more effective our government, local, state and national, would be if these guidelines molded our political discourse. Instead, we as a people who profess to be “one nation under God” have come not only to accept, but desire and expect, that our politics will be conducted without kindliness, courtesy, caution and truthfulness.

The sage tells us: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly … A gentle tongue is a tree of life. But perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (15:1,2,4).

Why, then, do we accept and expect that political discourse will be “down and dirty?” Is harsh speech generally more constructive than that which is gentle? Does Jesus teach us to “Love your neighbor, except in politics?”

The trouble with harshness and distortion and sometimes downright lying is not only that it is in violation of the way in which Jesus taught us to live, including those with whom we disagree, but that it is generally the most ineffective and disappointing tactic in the long run.

The recent debacle of the two parties in Congress is illustrative. Politicians often, perhaps usually, play to our basest instincts and prejudices. The rarely overrate the integrity and intelligence of their constituents. Their appeal is usually not to our clear thinking, but to our most base feelings.

So, why do they do it? Apart from their own ethical deficiencies, they are very much aware of ours. They know what we want to hear.

If you are sick and tired of the politicians, first ask yourself if we are not getting pretty much what we deserve. “The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (15:29). (Se also Proverbs 8:12; 11:02;16:18; 19; 21:04, 21.24; 29:23).

The corrosive effect of human pride is one of the most prominent themes throughout the Bible. C.S. Lewis says that “it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”

Proverbs do not teach pride, they teach humility. St. Augustine said: “Should you ask me: What is the first thing in religion? I should reply: the first, second and third thing therein is humility.”

It is not that most of us are against humility; in fact, it is the first thing we look for – in others. We may yearn to be pious but virtually no one yearns to be humble. And there is a significant difference between being humbled and being humble.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux said, “It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is a great and rare attainment.” That, too, is wisdom.

The sage tells us: “He who ignores instruction despises himself, but he who heeds admonition gains understanding” (15:32). Why? Because we may not be all that intelligent and may lack education, but the wisdom that exceeds both is something within our grasp. To choose ignorance over wisdom for ourselves is an act of self-hatred.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.