Rev. A. Linford, before his decease, was recognized as a good, great and interesting Bible teacher in the Assemblies of God Fellowship for many years. He was a well-loved Bible College lecturer and writer that bequeathed a tremendous amount of Biblical material in his generation. What a legacy he has left to be researched and brought forth to refresh our day! We shall be using such on this site: His writings from the book of Proverbs and also his Editorials that he wrote for the Redemption Tidings when he was its editor. I trust you will enjoy and appreciate his inspired teaching.
WISDOM’S PLEA
“Doth not wisdom cry?” - Proverbs 8: 1-4
What a contrast to the turgid waters of the last two chapters! Here we are led by the clear, deep waters of wisdom. We leave the dark and fetid marsh for the clean and bracing uplands; the harlot-folly is displaced by the lady wisdom, who unlike the scheming adulterous who lurks furtively in the darkness, stands boldly in the market place offering her wares of wisdom and understanding free to all
Wisdom is open to all: We have already seen that this wisdom is more than mental acumen – helpful though that may be, it is rather a moral attitude that accepts the offer of a divine life-style, God’s ground plan for holy, happy and successful living. As Count Leo Tolstoi said: ”Christianity is the understanding of life”. Here wisdom is depicted as a noble woman taking her stance on an elevated place so that all may see and hear her offer. There is nothing furtive or sly about God’s ways with men. ”This thing was not done in a corner,” said Paul – Acts 26:26 – the Gospel secret is an open secret, calling only on the response of the hearer to activate its saving power.
Wisdom is opportune for all: “By the way, in the places of the paths”, that is, where paths meet the cross-roads of life are the places of decision. lt is here that wisdom stands, offering her guidance. “What is best for me ?” “Which way shall I go?” we ask. Wisdom has the answer – “The will of God, that is best.” The word ”opportunity” means to lie over against the port waiting for the tide to flow that we may set sail. Even so, when life’s opportunities arise, wisdom is there to direct us, to be our compass, to arrange our cargo, to direct our course. Life’s beginnings augur well when wisdom is in control.
Wisdom is offered to all: Two Hebrew words for ”man” are used here. The first, “O men”, is ish, men of high degree’; the second, ”sons of man’s, is adam, sons of the earth, common man. Whether we are one of the elite or one of the masses, God’s wisdom is offered to us: God is no respecter of person. Wisdom’s call is to all men of all classes. All that she asks of us is a humble response: then shed bountifully disposes of her wares.
PRAYER:
Let me live according to thy life-style today, O Lord!
