In today’s culture, many of us have learned to say whatever we think. But is this wise? Does it show a sign of maturity to walk up to just anyone and give an opinion? I remember an older man who walked up to a lady once and said out loud, “Your shirt doesn’t leave much to the imagination does it?” Most of you would agree that this is not an example of maturity.
As followers of Messiah, how do we speak in wisdom? Is there a way to draw others to Yahweh, rather than having them recoil the very minute we open our mouth?
For many, maturity is gained “at the end of” some experience. Both negative and positive experiences can help someone to become mature or wise. For instance, a person can recite a text book answer for a test or what someone else tells them, but typically it is an incident in life that moves knowledge to wisdom. This awareness towards proficiency, sight, or understanding causes many of us to wake up and to continually seek wisdom.
The Hebrew understanding of the word wisdom is Chokmah (H2451) meaning a great skill and process. This would imply wisdom is achieved through practice. The opposite of wisdom would be the term foolish, which in Hebrew is Ivelet, (s200) meaning someone who is powerful, arrogant, mocks others, and is quarrelsome.
If no one or no experience has allowed you to know when to speak and what to speak, then this week’s study is for you. Miketz—”at the end of.”
In Genesis 41, we read the words,
“Now it happened “at the end of” two full years that Pharoah had a dream . . .”
From this we should ask, “two full years after what?” Prior to chapter 41, we read about Joseph interpreting the dreams for a baker and cupbearer while in prison. If you recall, Joseph has shown himself to be responsible in the house of Potiphar and prison. Though, was he yet, mature enough to handle an event in Egypt that will change history?
Is there a reason, Yahweh allowed the cupbearer to forget about Joseph? Was Joseph in need of another two years to learn even more wisdom?
Most of us know that the number two in Hebrew is represented by the Bet, meaning the house. Once Joseph gives the interpretation of Pharoah’s dream, he will soon become responsible not only for the house of Pharoah, but for the house of Jacob. Do you think wisdom would be a needed skill set?
To understand wisdom—”a great skill and process,” try asking yourself how this gift is portrayed in Miketz and how you might apply Biblical wisdom towards your personal growth.
- Joseph cleans himself up before going into Pharoah. He also states that God will give the answer to Pharoah and not himself. How does this give respect to Pharoah and also honor Yahweh? When you approach someone who does not know God, what has your approach been like?
- Sometimes we are called to work for a business or country that does not worship Yahweh. In what ways did Joseph deal with this reality? In what ways are you working in a pagan environment but yet represent the Creator?
- Joseph tests his brothers before accepting and protecting them. Why doesn’t he just forgive them immediately? Has this ever happened in your life? How are you practicing boundaries?
- Solomon stays clear of arguing with the two women who fight over a baby. Have you tried to stay clear of arguments and provide solutions instead?
- How did the Apostle Paul practice wisdom with the church of Corinth? What was his source of wisdom?
In my opinion, a great skill is only accomplished when one practices the skill. It’s easy to blame others or make excuses. It’s easy to walk away from people we don’t agree with. It’s easy to give a false witness against those people we don’t agree with. It’s easy to spew facts or ask for a yes or no answer to make a point or show superiority, but does this kind of environment display maturity?
Consider the life of Joseph. How could he be a fair ruler for nations if he was overly dogmatic about his beliefs? Do you think he thought about his words before he spoke? Do you think he considered actions over words?
Consider Paul’s commission. He had to address both Jewish rulers, Roman rulers, pagan worshippers, and scattered synagogues. How did he use wisdom? What did he practice?
Consider Solomon’s request for wisdom. Why was this his first request from Yahweh?
Consider your life. How do you get to the “great skill” zone. How are you learning to be wise?
May you be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn
Thank you, Rollyn, for reminding us to seek wisdom in all aspects of our walk, and to use our experiences in life to transform the knowledge we obtain into wisdom.
The example in the first paragraph, of a man addressing a woman’s immodesty, lacks context. For instance, we’re not told if the man had a relationship with the woman that placed him in a position of headship. This comment would be completely appropriate in a variety of settings. For instance, in a congregational setting, where habitual immodesty is not addressed, it may be necessary for someone to address the problem in a direct fashion, as shown in Rollyn’s example. While it is wise to first direct your admonition to one in a headship relationship with the woman, when that headship refuses to address the issue, it may be incumbent upon others to address it for the health of the congregation. If it becomes necessary for a man to address the lack of modesty in a woman’s attire, where her headship has refused to do so, the woman now has a choice to make. She can be thankful that someone had the courage to be frank with her, resulting in her displaying wisdom by dressing modestly. Her other option is to become recalcitrant, dig her heels in, and become angry with the one sharing truth. She may even complain to others in an attempt to circle the wagons and gain support for her being offended. She may even use her headship, that refused to confront the problem in the first place, as a weapon to get even with said truth teller. For a while, these methods will assuage the guilt and embarrassment she felt from someone confronting her with truth. So while it is not wise to walk up to a total stranger to utter this pronouncement, as it could get you punched in the mouth, in the right context this admonishment could be exactly what’s needed.
Speaking with wisdom and truth is always the goal of the follower of Yeshua. If someone recoils when they hear the truth, it is not necessarily an indication that the one sharing that truth spoke without wisdom. This places the responsibility of the one hearing truth, onto the one sharing truth. As previously mentioned, wisdom dictates that we direct truth in the correct avenue. Someone who responds with obstinance when they hear truth, speaks louder to their level of ego, and lack of spiritual maturity than it does in regards to the one telling them the truth. It seems that this portion of Scripture has more to do with Joseph persevering under the hardship of being sold into slavery, than it does with how we speak to each other or strangers. The overarching story of Joseph’s life is how Yahweh uses the evil plans of others to accomplish His righteousness, not how we confront an immodest woman.
I am in a position of authority as it concerns my wife. This means Yahweh has placed me in a trustee position. In other words, Yahweh has entrusted me with the leadership, provision, and well-being of my wife. My wife has every right to ask me yes or no questions regarding any number of areas. For instance, she may ask a yes or no question about what I’m viewing on the internet. She may ask how I’m handling finances, etc. She deserves a yes or no answer to her questions. Her asking yes or no questions is not an indication of her lack of maturity, nor does it imply she’s trying to show superiority. She has a very real interest in how her husband leads their household. If I refuse to answer her, it does not demonstrate that she lacks wisdom or has ulterior motives. If I engage in tactics that obfuscate the truth, or divert the discussion away from my responsibilities as a trustee, I am demonstrating my own lack of maturity and integrity, and nothing else. If I phone my male friends in an effort to find justification for my lack of transparency because my wife used the wrong tone of voice, I am revealing a desire to conceal my actions from someone that has a vested interest and right to have a yes or no answer to her questions. To excuse this duty as a trustee because of flimsy excuses, would give my wife the right to logically deduce that I’m hiding something from her.
In my view, another larger more pressing lesson from the life of Joseph is how he handled his position as a trustee, and not whether he applied Cabbalistic gematria to Hebrew, or was just spewing facts. In this modern society, which is where we are and all that we can change, we find religious leaders and politicians in positions of trust. Some people elect (so we’re told), politicians and expect them to use their delegated powers to run the country with integrity. Religious leaders are selected in a variety of ways. Some are hired by boards or voted on by the congregation. Others are self-appointed. Regardless of how one’s position is obtained, it is incumbent upon people in trustee positions to be open and forthright when questioned by those they are serving. We’ve all seen the disgusting and obvious attempts at obfuscation when a politician has been caught with their hand in the cookie jar, and are taken to task. When questioned, they dodge the issue, and instead, answer the question they wish they had been asked. Another favorite tactic is to malign the questioner and their motives. Through ad hominem and hyperbolic attacks, the credibility of the one asking questions is made suspect, thus taking the light of scrutiny off of the trustee. It’s been my experience that most people get tired of the circus, and walk away disgusted. They resolve to just vote harder next time, and resign the notion that they can do anything else.
In conclusion, I think the greatest lessons we can learn from Joseph, are that regardless of the evil brought upon us, Yahweh has put us in a position of trust and are therefore, expected to use that position to his honor and glory. Unlike the childish politician that doubles down when questioned, Joseph faced his problems head-on and fulfilled his role as a trustee with integrity.
May you be blessed, and as always, comments and challenges are welcomed.
Endre
In supplement of my first post, I would like to highlight some excellent questions posed by Rollyn. Under number 4 of his article, Rollyn asks:
“Have you tried to stay clear of arguments and provide solutions instead? ”
These are wise questions because it’s been said that arguments are for fools. And it doesn’t make sense to expose an errant trustee if a path to resolution is not offered. Before solutions can be offered, however, it is wise to consider the fact that members and constituents might not be aware of issues or problems. They can be made aware through letters, emails, blogs, and even Youtube videos.
If you’ve not taken the opportunity, I would suggest you navigate to the weekly political post on this website. There, you will find Jay providing a much needed component in the recipe of restoration. Jay uses his political post to warn us about errant trustees that are attempting to confiscate (steal) our wealth through oppressive taxation. While I would offer solutions other than voting, at least we are being made aware of issues. Consider the fact that voting is what got us into this mess in the first place. I’m afraid that just voting harder next time isn’t working. Thanks for you Jay, for exposing the conspiracies being perpetrated on us by malicious trustees!
Endre