Radical Wisdom for Conventional Times
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
A pastor was greeting folks at the door after the service when a congregant enthusiastically shook his hand. “Pastor,” she said, “that was a great sermon!”
Flushed with pride but wanting to appear humble, the pastor said, “Oh, it wasn’t me. I have to give the credit to God.”
“Oh, come on,” she replied, “It wasn’t that good!”
I hope what I have to say this morning can be credited to divine inspiration, but I’ll leave that for you to decide.
Our text comes from one of the books of scripture written in the Wisdom tradition. Lots of people don’t know that this was a particular genre of writing that is different from other writings in scripture. Wisdom literature seeks to teach us how to use what we know about God and those aspects of life that are less tangible (virtue, passion, love, etc.). The five major books of this style of writing are Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes. Parts of other biblical books also fall into the Wisdom category but these five contain the largest collection of Wisdom literature in scripture. Psalms and Proverbs are usually designated as conventional wisdom literature while Job, Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes tend to have a more radical bent to them. The difference seems to be that these last three were not willing simply to document reality but to also critique the constructs of reality. So they more often challenge the common assumptions of their day.
Many scholars believe the book of Proverbs was compiled as a teaching guide for those administering justice at the courts held near the city gate. As you read this book you will note that the instructions are fairly straightforward and logical. You can see clusters of themes, at times. The message of Proverbs 22 is that even those in the most privileged circles of ancient Israelite society were not exempt from the demands of justice and righteousness by Israel’s God. The words “justice” and “righteousness” are loaded terms in our world. Wisdom helps us see that what we’re talking about is fairness and good intent.
The other thing you will notice when reading the entire book of Proverbs is that it tends to speak in short pithy snapshots. The language is crisp and direct. As a result, they can be incredibly powerful statements. The snapshot in our text, for example, is incredibly countercultural. Think about it. We usually consider wealth as something that bolsters one’s reputation, but our scripture sets wealth and reputation in contention. Most people would consider possessing wealth as equal to being blessed, but Proverbs tells us that having wealth to give away is what is blessed.
Another example is the erasure of class distinction. The rich and poor rarely intermingled during the time of Proverbs as in our own, but Proverbs teaches not only shared possessions but shared meals. Can you think of any times in our own world where the rich and poor intentionally sit down and eat together? Those are rare moments. You might have noticed that one of the times this does happen is at church. There is a lot here in these poetic dyads. This is some pretty radical wisdom for what some have labeled a conventional book.
In our call to worship this morning we recited the All God’s Children vision and mission statement. We said that we are a “radically inclusive community of faith.” I want to encourage you today to become more aware – more in touch with – your radical side. You know its there. It’s that part of you that measures justice and value – that applies the information you have stored up through years of experience in a way that brings understanding, healing or wholeness. It sneaks out in all sorts of ways, like when you pick up that piece of litter that everyone else just passed on the sidewalk. Or when you lovingly challenge someone’s comment as racist or sexist. How about when you stood up for an absent friend who was being trashed by someone else? A good name is better than riches. Wisdom is the ability to choose between what is easy and what is right. It is much easier to go along with the crowd in trashing the poor, the different, the marginal and those not present to defend themselves. It takes a great deal of character to put oneself in the breach when the vulnerable are being abused. Proverbs calls us to live in our radical side with generosity. When you think about it, generosity is a fairly radical concept in our day. Whether it is being generous with our kindness, our care, our love or our resources, it seems almost counter-intuitive to people in our world. We are more used to people hording, protecting, not getting involved, playing it safe. So generosity is in itself radical.
Princeton professor, philosopher, critic and civil-rights activist Cornel West said, “Justice is what love looks like in public.” Most of us probably consider ourselves loving people. I would affirm that this is my experience of this community. I know your hearts. I know how much you want to make a difference in the world, to change the status quo, to make the world a better place. Justice is what love looks like in public. When God’s love is fully integrated into our lives, justice is the result that is lived through us. Some say it becomes second-nature. I would say it brings us back to our first nature.
It takes work to live our radical selves. It means resisting easy answers and simplistic solutions. But we have it in us to be radical. And if you want to, you can give credit to God, because it will be that good.
Sources:
www.homileticsonline.com My Paparrazo Profile, September 2009.