Proverbs 14:33
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding:
But that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
The syntax of this proverb tries to stay faithful to its Hebrew original, but as a result becomes a confusing English sentence. The Renaissance commentator Rashi rewrites it in the following terms: ‘Wise men keep their virtues private, but fools rush to publicize whatever little bit of wisdom they may have.’
One who has truly found Wisdom and Truth (not as compared virtues but as incarnate persons) obtains a certain quietness of mind, heart and spirit. He knows that the ‘persons’ of Wisdom and Truth are at work in the world, so he doesn’t feel that he has to go on ‘crusades’ to immediately ‘convert’ the whole world to his mode of thinking and operation. He is at peace even in the midst of conflict. He can quietly wait for people to themselves, in their own time, come to the identification of Wisdom and Truth in their lives. He has immersed himself (‘immerse’ is the proper translation for the Greek word ‘baptize’) in this Wisdom and truth. Their current lead his life which then becomes a silent quiet testimony in the plain view of all.
But there lies on the sidelines those who merely dabbled in Wisdom and truth. They have only dipped their toes or sprinkled their foreheads in them, but did not immerse in them nor let themselves be taken away by their current. In guilt, they have to justify themselves to themselves by trying to prove to others how wise and knowledgeable they are, so they go on crusades to change others and call it ‘witnessing’. They are on a constant warfare with themselves and others. They constantly feel that they have to school people. They even feel
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding:
But that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
The syntax of this proverb tries to stay faithful to its Hebrew original, but as a result becomes a confusing English sentence. The Renaissance commentator Rashi rewrites it in the following terms: ‘Wise men keep their virtues private, but fools rush to publicize whatever little bit of wisdom they may have.’
One who has truly found Wisdom and Truth (not as compared virtues but as incarnate persons) obtains a certain quietness of mind, heart and spirit. He knows that the ‘persons’ of Wisdom and Truth are at work in the world, so he doesn’t feel that he has to go on ‘crusades’ to immediately ‘convert’ the whole world to his mode of thinking and operation. He is at peace even in the midst of conflict. He can quietly wait for people to themselves, in their own time, come to the identification of Wisdom and Truth in their lives. He has immersed himself (‘immerse’ is the proper translation for the Greek word ‘baptize’) in this Wisdom and truth. Their current lead his life which then becomes a silent quiet testimony in the plain view of all.
But there lies on the sidelines those who merely dabbled in Wisdom and truth. They have only dipped their toes or sprinkled their foreheads in them, but did not immerse in them nor let themselves be taken away by their current. In guilt, they have to justify themselves to themselves by trying to prove to others how wise and knowledgeable they are, so they go on crusades to change others and call it ‘witnessing’. They are on a constant warfare with themselves and others. They constantly feel that they have to school people. They even feel
themselves as ‘essential’ in others lives. They can’t be at peace anywhere at anytime.
When Pilate asked Yeshua, What is the Truth?’ Yeshua stayed silent. But to His disciples Yeshua identified the Truth as himself. He also said that the Torah (the Word) is the Truth, Himself being identified with it. The King narrates in the Proverbs and says:
Doth not wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Proverbs 8.
My humble suggestion is to let Him do His job while we quietly go about ours of supporting Him living a Torah-based/Words based life.
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