Bible Text: Proverbs 9: 1-6 and John 6:51-58 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
In all my research I could not find when they were first invented nor could I find out who invented them, but I remember in all my classrooms growing up there were always a few posters on the walls that included a guy rock climbing that said, “Perseverance”, or of Einstein looking into the camera thoughtfully comparing intelligence and imagination, or a picture of a cat hanging on a clothesline with the text, “Hang in there” underneath. It turns out that inspirational posters were a huge industry. These posters were specifically designed for classrooms and offices and were very popular in the 1980s. The original intent of said posters was to inspire people to reach their full potential or to think differently on a certain topic. Perhaps inspirational or motivational posters were inspired by church banners- works of art that encourage us to meditate on a specific passage. I would also argue that inspirational posters are what inspired the now famous memes all over the internet. But do they work? Do these posters change our behaviour? Well thanks to a study by the University of Glasgow it found that by placing a poster that promoted stair use in front of an escalator in the subway station that stair use doubled. The study argues that if a motivational poster is placed on the wall at a point where one must make a decision that the poster can have a behavioural effect. Apparently motivational posters can change one’s actions.
Well, essentially the book of Proverbs is one big book of slightly more confusing motivational posters. As I mentioned in the introduction this book is a collection of essays, poems and sayings from ancient Israel. I wonder what a modern day version would look like? Perhaps it would include sayings by Mandela, Suzuki, Tutu, or shockingly a Kardashian. In the book of Proverbs sometimes there are threads of thought that run through entire chapters and other times they really are one-liners that are supposed to inspire us and help us navigate our lives in this world. Old Testament Theologian Gerhard von Rad said, “These maxims saturated as they are by experience, resemble buoys set out on the sea by which one can find one’s position.” Yet, the Book of Proverbs is a very underrated and under-read book of the Bible. I tend to think this due to passages like the one we encounter this morning. It seems completely out of left field. What do a few lines about Wisdom’s house and feast have to do with our general behaviour and living? Some context might be helpful.
At the very beginning of the book Wisdom is personified as a woman. It begins in Proverbs 1:20 in which Wisdom cries out in the street and raises her voice. The Hebrew word used most for wisdom is Chokhmah and it is a feminine noun, which might explain the pronoun. Both Hebrew and Greek have gendered nouns, much like French, German or Latin. Yet, what is interesting is that both the Hebrew and Greek words for wisdom are feminine. In Greek the predominant term is Sophia. Therefore wisdom is often interpreted as the feminine side to God. This idea is endorsed a little later in the book when in Proverbs 8:22 it states that the Lord created Wisdom at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. Perhaps my feminist side enjoys this idea that it is the feminine or nurturing or at the very least, wise, side of God that inspires, creates and motivates. And chapter 8 concludes with a declaration that joy surrounds those who find Wisdom.
A few verses after our reading in Chapter 9 the train of thought takes a bit of a turn. It not only continues to talk of Wisdom but it also introduces Folly, which is also personified as a woman. Our passage states that those who listen to the call of Wisdom will find life and insight. In contrast the closing verse of chapter 9 says that those who choose Folly will be guests in Sheol- essentially death. But it is Wisdom’s invitation in our reading this morning that intrigues me. She says, “You that are simple, turn in here! Come and eat of my bread and drink of my wine.” Wisdom’s invitation implies that one does not need to be wise in order to sit at her table. Wisdom welcomes all. Wisdom does not discriminate against knowledge or lack thereof. Wisdom does not prohibit those who have trouble understanding from coming to her table. This is a relief to me because there are many times when I am not wise, yet I know I am welcome. And then her invitation to eat and drink brings us back to sitting at Christ’s table and eating of his bread and drinking of his wine.
Manna sustained Israel both physically and spiritually in the wilderness. In our Gospel passage we continue this treatise that Jesus is much like the manna in that he comes from God and gives nourishment. We can easily interpret that Jesus is hinting at his death upon the cross when he states, “The bread that I will give you for the life of the world is my flesh.” John’s Gospel is filled with metaphors and allegories and this passage makes that very obvious. This passage was intended for meditation- for us to use our minds to understand Jesus’ self-giving love. But it also reminds me that each time we participate in communion, each time we invite people to come to the table, we are allowing ourselves to be filled with the Spirit, Word and Wisdom of God.
Throughout this passage Jesus asserts that he is the bringer of eternal life – just as the story of manna gave life to the people in the desert. But it would be unwise of us to think that Jesus is explaining that he only gives life in the afterlife. In fact, the Gospel of John is very intentional about stating that this life in Christ begins in the now, not in the latter life. Jesus says, “very truly I tell you, whoever believes HAS eternal life.” The verb is in the present tense. As scholar Susan Hylen puts it, “The life Jesus brings begins during the life of the believer and during Jesus’ own incarnate existence on earth. In calling this life “eternal” John communicates that the life Jesus offers is qualitatively different from regular human life.” In being believers in Christ, we should be motivated to live lives as disciples of Christ- inspired to live life differently from the foolish world around us.
The late evangelist Billy Graham once suggested that for a month long daily devotional we should read one chapter of Proverbs each day because there are 31 chapters. It is a good suggestion in part because it is simple but I am currently midway through this practice and it is incredible how it informs the rest of my day. It motivates and inspires me in daily behaviour. I suppose if an inspirational poster can change one’s actions then the Holy Word of God can certainly do more. Sometimes I have been challenged by the passages because I am forced to wonder whether the wise really will rule in the end, because at this juncture the world seems to be ruled by fools. But then I find hope in the passages that remind me to remember God’s teachings. Or I appreciate that it reminds me often to “Trust in the Lord, rather than rely on my own insight.” I was certainly motivated to get my act together when I read, “How long will you lie there, O Lazybones?” on August 6th, which happened to be the holiday Monday. Wisdom calls throughout the book. I might be a simple person but wisdom lies in accepting the invitation to be in relationship with God, every day. Amen