READING FOR JULY 24, 2025: PROVERBS 8, 2 TIMOTHY 1, PSALM 72:1-11 PROVERBS 8 Once again wisdom is portrayed as a woman. In fact, the Greek word for wisdom is “sophia,” which when combined with the word “philos” (meaning love), gives us the word “philosophy” or love of wisdom. According to this chapter, wisdom is not hidden in secret locations (or elite colleges) but cries out in the streets. She does ask us to pay close attention, though. Verse 9 observes that her words “are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.” This sounds strikingly similar to the wisdom Jesus was sharing through his parables: “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore, I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”
Jesus and perhaps Solomon before Him seem to be saying that those who understand and follow the clearest truths will be given deeper ones, while those who reject what is most basic will lose even the insight they originally had. This supports the idea that there is a basic degree of wisdom that is quite apparent to all, or as Solomon says, “cries out in the streets.”
Wisdom that equates with the “fear of the Lord” does not accept all things but hates or rejects “pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverted mouth.” Wisdom allows those in authority to rule justly. Thus, pray for wisdom for our leaders! Wisdom promises to be found by those who truly seek it instead of seeking honor or riches. Do we have enough faith to practice this? Interestingly, we learn that wisdom preceded the creation of the natural world. This would be correct since wisdom is part of God’s character and of course God always existed. Thus, when God determined to create the heavens and earth, he incorporated His perfect wisdom in the task. This must be what Paul had in mind in Rom. 1:20: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made.”
The chapter ends with Solomon pleading with his sons to make the pursuit of wisdom a high priority. He suggests that ignoring it will lead to death. Likely many of us counseled our children to go to college to get a degree to get a good job. Be honest, though. Did we passion- ately advise them to acquire and live by wisdom? What practical advice can we give about pursuing wisdom? Consider this: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:14-15).
2 TIMOTHY 1 Paul makes a brief reference to those forefathers who served God before his time. Those who have studied church history have found similar wisdom and inspiration. We
READING FOR JULY 24, 2025 CONTINUED: 2 TIMOTHY 1, PSALM 72:1-11 can start by reading Hebrews 11, which gives a pretty great overview of many centuries of faith heroes. Paul once again reminds his reader (in this case Timothy) that he constantly prays for him. Is there any doubt by now that 1) prayer for our fellow believers is vital and 2) we should tell them we are praying? Paul knew Timothy well, as evidenced by his remembering Timothy’s mother’s and grandmother’s names. Since no male is mentioned, it is likely that these women were not married to Christians. They still were able to foster faith in Timothy. If anyone is in a similar marriage arrangement, this example might provide hope.
There is good reason to think this is Paul’s last letter to anyone: “The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course” (2 Tim. 4:6-7). His parting words are pertinent to Timothy and us. He urges Timothy to not be timid in his faith but exercise his gift with power. He says to him, and us, don’t be ashamed of the Gospel. In fact, even if we experience suffering for it, God has given us the high calling of sharing about this Jesus who has abolished death and brought life. What are we doing with our time that has more value than embracing this calling? Finally, he tells Timothy, and us, to hold unto the sound words Paul gave about the faith and love of Jesus. That’s why are we are reading through the Bible!
PSALM 72:1-11 In this psalm by Solomon, according to the title, he references himself in the third person. This is not unheard of even today with individuals in positions of high authority. The requests of Solomon for divine judgment and righteousness are consistent with what we know of the promising start of his reign: “Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, to discern between good and evil. For who is capable of judging this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:9). In fact, anyone starting a new position is smart to pray this same prayer, and we know God was pleased with this request. Of special value for anyone aspiring to leadership, Solomon had an interest in peace and helping the poor and oppressed. Vote for Solomon!Verses 5-7 request the nation retain its fear of God forever and that his own reign would be seen as gently nourishing. Requests from verses 8-11 would signal less godly desires If meant for Solomon, himself: extended geographic kingdom, humiliation of his enemies, gifts from foreign dignitaries, and all nations serving him. They would, however, make perfect sense as messianic prophesies of Jesus. In fact, this Psalm is paraphrased in the hymn “Jesus Shall Reign”: “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun does his successive journeys run; His kingdom spread from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more.”
