Voices, soft, loud, sultry, or brash, they are all around us. Whose voices capture our attention? Do those strange little voices which roam around within our heads lure us? Or are we more captivated by the voices of those in positions of authority? Maybe the voices we really listen to are from people we hardly know, or originate from within some electronic apparatus which rapidly transmits our voice or that of someone else, someone we may have never, nor will ever meet. When we turn on the television we are bombasted by voices: Kia of Greer wants to give you a car, come on by; our brand of laundry soap has more cleaning power than anyone – we can wash the dirt from off the world; watch this new reality show it is the best ever (yeah, just like the one it replaced, which was the best ever last year). Then again there are always the television and radio newscasts with their mostly somber, but occasionally light-hearted reports of whatever is happening around the city they are broadcasting from. What we hear from these voices is often a statement relative to our concept of reality. For instance on Tuesday night the Charlotte TV news reported crime in Charlotte was on the decline: there have been only 39 murders this year as opposed to 58 for the same period last year. Well, I guess that voice was welcomed by the 19 fewer victims, however I doubt it was very comforting to the families of the 39 from this year or the 58 from last year.
While serving in Thailand, and also in Korea, I was introduced to the concept of street markets and vendors; imagine a giant flea market that sells everything from clothing to "fresh" slaughtered meat. These are the places the locals do a lot of their shopping. Yet, several of these vendors are there primarily for the tourist, or in my case the US military, market. From the time I entered the area, until I left there were voices summoning me to come by their booth to inspect and buy their wares. There were all types of goodies, trinkets, and unbeatable deals to catch my attention. To hear these vendors pitch, I needed at least one of everything they had for sale; "Buy one for your girlfriend or wife." If these vendors sense I am new in town or a real bona-fide tourist, they will make even more noise vying for my attention and dollars. Yet, if they get the impression I am wise to their routine they will approach me with a more business-like attitude. They are still trying to sell me everything they have, but they are more subtle and convey a different approach to my wallet.
One other way to make it through these markets is to be with someone who is an old-timer and perceptive of the ways of the open market. It is comforting to have a voice of reason to guide me to the better deals and the more honest vendors. The voice with me may alert me to the fact the sliced beef I was drooling over at one vendor was actually baying at the moon and chasing cats just yesterday. It is important for us to have these voices help us in our decision making, voices to guide us to the vendor who has the best quality merchandise, and voices to point us in the correct direction for our spiritual growth. Without these voices of guidance we could easily leave the market with "Fido" in our grocery bag rather than choice sliced beef; or follow the rant of some false doctrine with a pretty name.
"Wisdom cries…How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?" Two things in these verses are significant for us to comprehend. First, who is Wisdom? In the context of this verse, Wisdom is plural. She is the infinite wisdom of GOD and also the manifold wisdom of GOD, because in every Word of GOD there is wise counsel. Wisdom as defined by Solomon is the feminine Spirit of GOD’s creation and is even identified with GOD’s Law. The next significant concern is the "simple ones," the "scoffers and fools who hate knowledge." Just who are they, who is King Solomon referring to with these irreverent remarks? Could the Church be considered as the target of this derision? Are we listening to the voice of Wisdom or are the street vendors catching our ears?
"G.I., only quarter, you buy okay, only quarter, you buy." The young boy in tattered clothes, standing just outside the base’s main gate, is holding up a shiny, stamped, tin Buddha lapel pin. "No, I don’t think so." "Please, G.I., only quarter, you give to girlfriend, she much love you." "Yeah, sure, here’s a quarter." He looked to be ten, maybe twelve years old; dirty, very thin, his clothes extremely well worn and probably by more than one person over the years. The G.I. in front had just shoved him aside and walked away. Which voice was I listening to – the voice of compassion or the voice of gullibility?
GOD tells us "I will pour out My thoughts to you; I will make My words known to you." This is the voice we need to be paying attention to. Wisdom is trying to get through to us, she "cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice. At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks." There she stands, right in the middle of our sanctuary, in the very middle of our lives, crying loudly to get our attention: "LISTEN TO ME! How long will you refuse to heed GOD’s Word? Listen, and I will lead you to the way of understanding, of right choices, and good living. I am GOD’s Wisdom voice; I have been sent to turn you to the right path. Pay attention to what I say. Listen to GOD’s Word, obey it, live it." (Abingdon Preaching Annual 2003, p. 310) Wisdom is in our midst; prophesying, scolding all within the reaches of her voice for their refusal to heed her advice. Notice, she does not wait for us to come seeking her, rather she comes out and seeks those who need wisdom.
What are some of our wisdom voices of today? This scripture could not have come on a better Sunday. Today we are celebrating Grandparent’s day and what is one of the better sources of wisdom than our elders. Former President Jimmy carter said "Grandparents are our continuing tie to the near-past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us." These are the voices we need to be seeking out. Our elders possess a wisdom developed over years of tradition and experience. The theological guidelines as determined by the Reverend John Wesley are Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. Each is important for the understanding of GOD; however, Scripture, the very Word of GOD’s Wisdom, is of utmost authority and importance. It is essential for the growth of the Church for us to adhere to the traditions of the Church, as well as to ask for and listen to the wisdom of those wonderful saints who have already leveled the pathways. The voice of Wisdom can come to us through the discernment of knowledge from days past.
Why do I believe it is imperative for us to listen for the voice of Wisdom here at Kistler’s Chapel, as well as within the Church universal? "Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out My hand and no one heeded…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." Are we complacent, presuming all is going well, when in fact we should be diligently pursuing the will, the plan GOD has for us? Are we possibly calling in vain, only to not be answered, only "Because I have called and you refused, have stretched out My hand and no one heeded, and because you have ignored all My counsel and would have none of My reproof?"
These are the warnings and the dangers of failing to heed Wisdom’s call. These warnings are threatening, pointing out the dangerous results of "delight in their scoffing and hating knowledge." However, all these dire admonitions conclude with a positive side, a promise of security and peace of mind to those who will listen. GOD cares enough about us to send the Voice of Wisdom. Wisdom persuades us to "choose the fear of the LORD." When we pay attention to Wisdom, we become better able to distinguish which voices are right and wrong, and are better able to decide which way is GOD’s way. It takes a conscious decision and an effort of will to be attentive to Wisdom’s voice. But when we listen to Wisdom, we find peace and security.
If we have someone familiar with the street markets to walk with us it is easier to navigate through the many vendors to the ones who have what we are looking for. We will also be less likely to buy more than we need just because of a strong sales pitch from one of the vendors.
GOD so loves the world that GOD sends out Wisdom, so her voice might find us amid the barrage of voices. How gracious that GOD would come calling us, in the markets of our lives, reach out a hand and lead us to the best fruit. May we hear and may we respond accordingly. (Abingdon Preaching Annual, 2003, p. 310)
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT…AMEN.
