Listen. Watch. Wait.

 

I love the poetic imagery of the Bible. Here Wisdom is speaking and calling out, for any who would listen. And, of course, "listen" here is more than a merely casual activity as one walks by Wisdom’s gates tending to other matters of the mind. It is engaged. It is active. The Hebrew use of this word is inseparable from action. And that action is obedience to what is heard. Do what you hear. Then, and only then, are you truly hearing as the Bible intends.

Watch daily at Wisdom’s gates. This watching is instructing us to fix one’s entire attention towards. Interestingly, waiting here is Hebrew “shamar” which is synonymous with keeping, guarding and protecting. It is the exact same word that is used to instruct us to “keep” the commandments.

I’ve spoken towards this word quite exhaustedly in podcast episodes over the last year. “Keeping”, in Hebrew understanding, is not what most presume. It is simply a treasuring and valuing of Father’s ways. Or, in this case, of Wisdom specifically.

And we are to do this at Wisdom’s doorposts. The opening that leads to where Wisdom dwells. The literal entrance to Wisdom’s abode. We are to expectedly show up, eager to peer in and receive what Wisdom is declaring.

In summary, we are to go to where Wisdom resides, fully engaged and longing to know what is spoken. Then we are to do it. We must treasure and value what is presented. We must guard it with all that we have and walk out in obedience.

I personally need to do this so much better. How about you?