“9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,
but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.
”
I decided to take a different approach this morning and to focus on four separate verses. The first three (9, 23, 26) share a theme I have been thinking about a lot lately, especially in this time of isolation.
There is so much noise in the world, especially on social media. Everybody has an opinion and everyone believes their opinion is right. I’m not sure though why everyone feels the need to share their opinion on everything? I’m still trying to figure out why I need to receive pictures of what people are eating for breakfast!
Everyone is also their best self on social media, perhaps even better than their best self!
And finally, everyone has a lot of “friends” on social media.
Verses 9, 23, and 26 speak to all of these. Solomon’s instructions seem to point to a much quieter life. Wisdom calls for reflection, humility and well-chosen friends. I love the jab in verse 9, “Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.” I wonder who he had in mind when he wrote this?
The verse that really grabbed me in this time of pandemic though, was verse 25. “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” It’s Easter Sunday. Many people are alone today, unable to be with family. Anxiety abounds. Wisdom says, phone a carefully chosen friend and cheer them up with a kind word.
He is Risen!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Do you see wisdom in leading a quieter life? What do you think is the meaning of “the prudent keep their knowledge to themselves?” Share your thoughts below.