In the days of building churches in the last century, it seemed as though the buildings were all constructed with an identical thought - higher is better. Long steps up to the sanctuary... steeples that rose above the city skylines. High ceilings invited devotions and expressions of faith to rise up to God.With that in mind, chapter eight of Proverbs reflects a similar kind of construction of the place where wisdom can be found. "At the highest point along the way..." wisdom can be heard. According to the notes found in the Quest Bible this phrase refers to the high points of a city, such as rooftops. Wisdom's position is a vantage point for being heard and seen, crying out from a location where she will be easily seen and heard.
(By the way, The Quest Bible continues to be an excellent resource for Bible study - you can take one from the church sanctuary or better yet, download it from the App Store - I think it costs about $10, a great investment for your iPad or SmartPhone).
Wisdom continues to press the issue - people need to get smarter and wiser. "Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say..." I cannot help but compare wisdom's plea to any of the recent campaign debates on television. I'm sure the each candidate believes in her or his own heart that they are saying things that are true. But it is always painfully evident that someone is not telling the truth. Wisdom comes right out and says that these words are right and true and we'd better pay attention to them.
Solomon speaks of the benefits of listening and following wisdom's words, and perhaps more importantly, the rationale for considering why to follow. Seeking justice... honor... right living... blessings... and other things that we can experience in powerful ways if we pay attention to wisdom's call...
... from the highest places.
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