When Wisdom has a Name

Alright Butterbean, pull yourself up on this here porch and be ‘a-watchin’ that there rockin’ chair. It has been a‑scootin’ across these here boards like a possum a‑tryin’ to outrun its own shadow ever since ol’ Cousin Delbert done thought it would make a fine treadmill. Let’s sit here for a spell. I was just a‑watchin’ a big ol’ turkey a‑struttin’ like it owned the whole county only to trip over a garden hose and flap around like a rooster in a hailstorm. And right then I thought to myself, “Ain’t that just like us, a‑thinkin’ we done got life all figured out until Wisdom comes in an’ taps us on the shoulder and says, ‘Come and be ‘a-sittin’ down right here, Junebug, and let Me be ‘a-showin’ you somethin’ a whole lot deeper than you ever been a‑considerin’, sho’‑nuff’.’”

Now here is where folks done get all tangled up like a goat in a hammock. Proverbs 31 is one of them there passages that folks love to toss around like confetti at a church weddin’. Some folks done hold up that “capable wife” like she is the gold medal standard for womanhood ‘a-saying that this here is a picture of the most perfect woman. Others done roll their eyes so hard you can hear it from the choir loft. But both sides done missed the whole point.

Proverbs 31:10–31 is what is called an acrostic poem. That there means each verse starts with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph all the way to Tav.

It’s God’s way of ‘a-sayin’, “From A to Z, from start to finish, this is what My Wisdom looks like.”

That there scripture in Proverbs 31:10-31 ain’t  describin’ no real woman. It’s describin’ Wisdom in her fullness. And since Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that “Christ is the wisdom of God,“ then Proverbs 31 is actually a portrait of Jesus Himself.

Every verse is a brushstroke of Christ’s character.

Strong.
Steady.
Life‑givin’.
Compassionate.
Courageous.
Faithful.
Dignified.
A blessin’ to everyone around Him.

He builds.
He protects.
He provides.
He leads.
He rescues.
He restores.
He stands beside the Father in creation.
He embodies strength and dignity so completely that He can laugh at the days to come.

Proverbs 31 is not ‘a-sayin’, “Be this here woman.” It’s sayin’, “Follow this Wisdom. Follow Jesus. Let His life be ‘a-shapin’ your wisdom.” We gotta be like Jesus, friend!

It’s an invitation for every doggone one of us, men and women alike, to be ‘a-lettin’ Christ’s wisdom become the way we be ‘a-thinkin’, the way we be a’-walkin’, and the way we be ‘a-lovin’.

Lord Jesus, You are my wisdom from A to Z. Be a‑shapin’ me into Your likeness. Be a‑teachin’ me to walk in Your courage, Your compassion, and Your truth. Let Your wisdom be ‘a-guidin’ every corner of my life. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Well Buttercup, that ought’a give your soul somethin’ worth chewin’ on longer than an ol’ cow ‘a‑workin’ through a whole field of sweet clover. But do not just sit there ‘a‑nibblin’ on truth. Go on out there and be a‑strivin’ to walk like Jesus, the very Wisdom of God. Follow Him the way a faithful hound dog is a‑followin’ its Master. Let His wisdom shape every step you take. For that there Wisdom is Christ Himself, and He will always be a‑leadn’ you toward ‘a-becomin’ the person He created you to become.

With joy,

Gwen