SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, the days are getting cold in the northern climes now. I had to turn on the heat last night. The days of walking around half-naked are done for another six months. (smile) But that shouldn’t stop us from doing God’s work and pursuing His everlasting kingdom. And today we’re asking those age old questions; ‘But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?’ Those are questions that man’s been asking from the beginning of time. In Job 28, which the scholars claim is one of the most beautiful poems on wisdom found in the Good Book, Job describes the hard work man undergoes to extract the ore of precious metals and jewels from the earth. So he knows where earthly riches come from and how to acquire them, but he’s stumped on the where and how of wisdom and understanding. Meanwhile, the preacher claims that ‘Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.’ (Eccl.7:19) But shortly thereafter he says; ‘All this I have proved (tested) by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out? I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness.’ (Eccl.7:23-25) And what was the result of his far-flung search? Unfortunately, ‘Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.’ (Eccl.7:28) How sad Friends, that he couldn’t find a wise man or woman amongst a thousand. So what did he find? ‘Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.’ (Eccl.7:29) Yes my people, the Lord made us to be upstanding, but because of our innate wickedness, we’ve sought all kinds of evil schemes. As Bruh Paul said of the wicked becoming idol worshippers: ‘Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.’ (Rom.1:22) And that’s so true of our world today. So many of us who consider ourselves wise, are really fools dressed in the outward apparel of what we call wisdom. So how, where and when can we find these elusive elements called wisdom and understanding eh? And like we really need to find them yes Friends, since they seem to be essential aspects to providing happiness. Sol, that most worthy sage, touts them very highly. He unabashedly declares: ‘Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.’ (Prov.3:13) So where can we find them then? Job claims; ‘Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not in me.’ (Job 28:13-14) And Sol agrees. ‘For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her (holds her fast). (Prov.3:14-18) Wow mih people! If both Sol and Job value wisdom and understanding so highly, why aren’t more of us diligently seeking them eh? Anything that’s worth more than silver, gold and precious stones, which also controls our length of days with one hand, and wealth and glory with the other, is most definitely something we should all be hungering for and travelling far and wide to acquire. But sadly, it seems that not many of us take the time to seek real wisdom and understanding. We just lazily latch on to what Lucifer and his moron cohorts deem to be wisdom and understanding. But if the evil geniuses were so wise, would our world be in such a terrible state?  Certainly not! That’s because the wisdom of man and the world is really evil foolishness. And now we’ll answer the questions: ‘But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?’ Oh my people, real wisdom and understanding are of God! Wisdom and understanding are God’s gifts to those who ardently seek Him and fervently do His will. Here’s Sol’s momentous declaration: ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth: by understanding hath he established the heavens.’ (Prov.3:19) And Friends, after the Most High God Jehovah had finished founding the universe on wisdom and understanding, He turned to man, His most wonderful creation; ‘And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’   (Job 28:28). Yes Friends those are the answers to our billion dollar questions. And we’ll close with some further important words on the subject from Sol. ‘My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace (favour) to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of the wicked (trouble from), when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught). (Prov.3:21-26) Oh Friends, let’s promise ourselves to faithfully follow that invaluable advice, for with it…chuh! we are unbeatable. Much LOVE! …for the LOVE revolution to succeed…we need…above all else… much wisdom and understanding…