Where can wisdom be found?

By Rhiannonw

Sun, 16 Jan 2022
  • 690 reads
11 comments
 

[Continuing the hymn-for-Sundays series]

For beauty, riches people search,
but what is greater far –
the ‘why’ of everything that is,
is worth much searching for.

Who has a house, a yacht, a car?
what is their value true?
To know the ‘theory of all’
would be worth more to you.

So as you labour on to own
and to enjoy good pleasure,
search hard to know true wisdom’s ‘why’
– invaluable treasure.

The detail all I do not need
to understand – my mind
not infinite, but I can trust
the One strong, wise and kind.

His wisdom is complete; he shows
us part and helps us trust
that he guides all, is in control:
revere the Ruler just.

For know that always in all this
he works his righteous plan
and will renew in wisdom’s way
creation he began.

He searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness  … But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?…The fear of the Lord — that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding. Job 28:3, 12, 28  and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding Proverbs 9:10
Your word is truth. John 17:17

http://rhiannonshymns.co.uk

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Comments

Submitted by Nolan on

“Wisdom is sold in the desolate market where none can come to buy, and in the withered field where the farmer ploughs for bread in vain” –William Blake

Indeed, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” –Proverbs

Your most valuable “possession” is your health, and that of the one's you love. But remember and be warned, a fool is always wise in his own eyes!

Have a great week Rhiannon & Nolan

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I was trying to understand that quote. (Actually when I looked it up it seemed to say 'where none come to buy' not 'where none can come to buy'}

The first part sounds like in the first chapter of Proverbs when Wisdom is personified calling in the open square but so many refuse her offers of wisdom and true understanding. I suppose the second part is a picture of looking in the right place in the wrong way - the farmer is ploughing fro bread rather than sowing and tending the crop and harvesting grain to make bread.

Is that how you understand it? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

You are very technical about things and I don't read it the same as you, at all. In fact I find your interpritations very strange. And the opposite was meant, and said.

All the best! Nolan

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Is not the quote from Blake about wisdom which comes from experience, Nolan? When I looked it up, that is what came across to me? Which would also explain the line about ploughing for bread, as Rhiannon explains, which had confused me, too 

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/23579-what-is-the-price-of-experience-d...

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I saw that long quote but still find it a bit difficult to understand, Di!

Experience seems to test our understanding of wisdom, which can be superficial when all is going well. Wisdom is the solid objective truth, but also our application of it and understanding of how it applies in all our circumstances?

Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

What you say is very true Riannon wisdom often is very superficial when all is going well. I don't think this is necessary but if you insist. And we might find the 18th Century English and style unusual. And at the time it was commonly accepted that Blake was insane.

According to Blake wisdom cannot be bought, instead of being freely available on the street corners but no-one wanting it as in your verse from Proverbs.

“The price of experience”, i.e wisdom, is the price of all a man's possessions his wife, children home in other words great hardship and loss, and futile working (plough) the withered field (for bread) is as Adam's fate in the Creation story. It is the land that is ploughed, and whatever happens in between, for food (bread).

So that could be an answer to your question, “Where can wisdom be found?” Note the quote thus makes one think of the Book of Job. I hope I haven't just made you more confused.

Nolan &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

The Bible does make it clear that wisdom is found in God, listening to him and his revealed truth in the Bible, and we have to apply it to our thinking and lives in all areas.. Experience does teach us what it means to us in our daily living more. I referred to Job at the end of the hymn, to the passage where it talks of men searching for wealth, and jewels, but not putting effort into searching out God's wisdom, and reading it thoughtfully. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

It is beautiful how you do the verses, stringing pearls &&

 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Nolan on

If you collect enough of them you could write them all together with the different themes and put them in an inspirational booklet. I would like that, such a booklet. Your Daily Bread. It's very clever. You could give it to someone you really like.

Goodnight! &

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you – it is something I am working on! Rhiannon