The reading plan has us moving into Proverbs, an immensely practical book, mainly on what wisdom might look like. The introduction is clear:

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1.1 – 7, NKJV)

Wisdom…righteousness… Reminds one of:

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1.30, NKJV)

Wisdom…

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. (Proverbs 1.20 – 23, NKJV)

It’s a choice, one that many in our country and “the west” seem to be going the wrong way on.

Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. (Proverbs 1.24 – 31, NKJV)

Carl Trueman reports on a shocking stained glass window in the City Hall of Belfast Ireland. Read for yourself. “…they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.” I don’t know what that looks like, but I don’t think it’s good.

Another proverb speaks to it:

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14.12, NKJV)

In the meantime, Proverbs 1 closes with:

…whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster. (Proverbs 1.33, NKJV)