This is Spoken Gospel.

We are dedicated to seeing
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and His Gospel.

Let’s jump in.

Proverbs 1-9 is a series of ten lectures given by King Solomon
to his son, occasionally interrupted by Lady Wisdom.

Lady Wisdom is a character that
functions as the embodiment and

public declaration
of Solomon’s wisdom.

Lady Wisdom encourages the
nation of Israel to pursue after her

and to avoid foolishness and
its inevitable consequences.

In the first interruption, Lady Wisdom
shouts at the entrance of a large city.

She encourages its citizens
to look for wisdom in her

rather than the allure of the
markets and entertainments inside.

The seductions of the city are
obvious—easy money and easy sex.

Both Lady Wisdom and the Father warn that money gained
dishonestly, and casual sex are far more
costly than they appear.

While both are enticing on the surface, they
always lead to death, destruction, and chaos.

Easy money and easy sex should be avoided
because of the foolishness that they inspire.

Israel and Solomon’s son must seek
wisdom if they are to be spared from folly.

Over and over again Solomon promises his
son that if he seeks wisdom, he will find it.

If he searches for wisdom,
God will grant it.

Wisdom will fill him, will protect him,
instruct him, and deliver him from evil.

True wisdom is found in running from evil
and running towards God.

Adam and Eve rejected God’s
wisdom because the forbidden fruit

looked good to eat (like easy
sex and easy money often do).

But its end was death.

They trusted the promise of foolishness
and did not heed the call of Lady Wisdom.

That’s why the Father pleads with his
son to not trust his instincts, understanding,

or his own wisdom, but
instead to fear the Lord.

We cannot undo Adam and Eve’s folly, escape death,
or be blessed by God unless we seek after
and trust the Lord’s wisdom.

Jesus is unapologetic that
he is wiser than Solomon.

He rebukes a large and unbelieving crowd
by reminding them that the Queen of Sheba

“came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s
wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here”.

Jesus is Solomon’s wisdom in the flesh.
Jesus is Lady Wisdom.

The lessons Solomon taught his son are publicly
embodied in Jesus' ministry and teaching.

In fact, some of the most common audiences of Jesus’
teachings are the unjustly wealthy and the sexually immoral.

Jesus’ wisdom to them is that he and his kingdom are
better than easy money and easy sex.

And just as Lady Wisdom calls
Israel to turn from their sin

so that she can place her spirit in
them, Jesus promises the same.

Anyone who asks, seeks, and knocks after
him will be given the Spirit of Wisdom.

While easy money and easy sex falsely
promise the straightest path to happiness,

Jesus’ wisdom promises we will have more in him
than we could ever find in a bank account or a relationship.

Jesus invites us to trust in him “with all your
heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight”.

May the Holy Spirit open your eyes
to see God’s wisdom as good news.

And may you see that good wisdom
fully embodied in Jesus Christ.