Wisdom for Dummies; Ecclesiastes 11-12, Proverbs 9

May the mumbling commence!

There are many voices of “reason” out in the world.  There are many self-help books.  Bookshelves are full of books.  My family has over half a dozen of those full book shelves. 

Think about the “For Dummies” line of books.  I can almost see it now: Wisdom for Dummies.  While I was in seminary, I saw more than enough books for my taste.  There were too many books and too little time. 

I fondly remember posting on the campus “Wittenberg Door” a quote from Ecclesiastes.  That “door” (It really wasn’t a door but a wooden bulletin board shaped like the top part of a rounded off door.) was right across from the campus bookstore at the time.  For some reason, this post did not stay up very long at all.  Read it below:

And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 

The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright – words of truth. 

The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 

And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. (Verses 9-12)   

It was the last half of verse twelve that I posted on the “Wittenberg Door” at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (now known as Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary).  I posted that sentence during finals week in the Spring Semester. 

I thought it was funny.  I thought it was true.  It seems that someone disagreed with me.  Perhaps it was someone at the bookstore across the hall.  Perhaps it was one of the professors who assigned so much reading.

Ah!  Fond memories of seminary!

Let us seek the Preacher – capital “P”.  Let us seek the Shepherd – capital “S”.  Let us seek the wisdom of the Way – the Way of Jesus.  Jesus is the great Preacher and Teacher.  Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep.  Jesus is the Gate.  Jesus is the Way.  Jesus shows us the Way by how he lived his life in full devotion and obedience to God.

We see and hear and touch and taste the wisdom in high definition, surround sound, touch sensitive, and bitter sweet presentation of all four gospels.  These gospels and the repetitions that we get through them are collectively Wisdom for Dummies.

Let us sit at Jesus’ feet on Matthew’s mount and on Luke’s plain.  Let us hear and understand the teachings of Jesus.  And let us follow Jesus.  It is that simple to obtain wisdom beyond our limited capacities.  Follow Jesus.  Band together with other Christian brothers and sisters and follow Jesus.  There is no real need for the mountain of books at the Christian bookstores or at the “secular” bookstores. 

Follow Jesus.  It is that simple and that difficult.  Do what we understand Jesus to be teaching us.  Isn’t there an easier way?  Isn’t there a cup that is less bitter?

We often want more flash and less substance.  We want more bark and less bite.  But that is a foolish road.  Read from Proverbs chapter nine:

A foolish woman is clamorous;

She is simple, and knows nothing. (Verse 13)

The choice is clear.  Do we want simply nothing?  Or do we want simple wisdom from the Lord?

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out