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Handed Down

We cannot live a good life on our own. Much of who we are is due to our heritage - to a “tradition which has been lived out and tested down the years” (Lucas, 66). What does this mean for those who have come from evil, wicked, daft parents? It means that what we receive and pass on is important; and it is important that we receive and pass on is important, too.

As Brown writes, “... a path can only be formed by the passage of many feet” (46). However, I would add, with Lucas, that this also takes place “down the years.”

Betrothed to Wisdom

In these verses, it is as if each generation is to arrange their son’s marriage to Wisdom. Each generation helps the next to find who to be attracted to, to commit to, to marry. That is, it is likely that Wisdom is here portrayed as a bride, as this lines up with “the benefits which the ideal wife brings to her husband (31:11-12, 23) and the practice of crowning a bridegroom (Son 3:1)” (Lucas, 66).

If this is an arranged marriage of sorts, the son is called to enter into it fully and unreservedly: Cherish her; treat her well; be united with Her from the heart and you will walk the path of abundant life because of what she bestows.

Here we get the picture that being wise is about union with something - someone - much greater than ourselves. Lady wisdom is greater than any person, but is willing to be a helper to all who are attached to her.

Here, the husband cherishes the bride and all of his benefits are from her; she does not seem to get anything from him, except companionship. This is reminiscent of our relationship to Christ who bent down to us, made Himself available and became poor so as to make us rich (see 2 Corinthians 8:9).

As Christians we know that we are to be united to Christ and to cherish Him who is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).

QUESTIONS

How will you cherish wisdom today?

How might you pursue wisdom today?

How do you plan to pass wisdom down?