More Precious Than Rubies

 

“Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life.”
Proverbs 19:20

 Esther showed a pattern of listening to the wisdom of her guardian, Mordecai. He cautioned her not to reveal her heritage when she was brought into the harem (Esther 2:10). He continued to care for her even after she had left his home by walking back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her (Esther 2:11). This went on for at least a year, likely years as I mentioned last time. I can only imagine that Mordecai and/or Esther came up with some way to communicate to him. Maybe a slave was sent with news or she hung a certain color scarf out of a window or something. I can’t imagine Mordecai waking back and forth for years with no connection to her. I also am guessing that she was the beneficiary of his wisdom, counsel and concern even when she was in the harem. Now, that’s not in the Bible so I’m not taking it as fact, but all of it seems to add up. In verse 20, just 9 verses later but likely several years, it mentions again that Esther had continued to follow Mordecai’s advice and keep her heritage secret. It goes on to say that, “she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up,” which, again, leads me to believe the two remained in contact with one another. How else, in verse 21, would Mordecai bring the plot against the king to her attention?

 All of this establishes that Esther had developed a habit of listening to and obeying the advice of her elder. I can only imagine that this may have been rather difficult while living in the secular, worldly environment of the harem. Some of his advice must have seemed out of place or even impossible to follow. Perhaps he cautioned her to avoid eating certain delicacies that had been offered as sacrifices to their pagan gods. Maybe he suggested that she not associate with some of the women as he knew their backgrounds. Having had teenagers, and having been one, I know the weight of peer pressure and how difficult it is to follow advice given by someone who seems “out of touch” with the current times. But the Bible is clear that Esther chose to follow and obey Mordecai while she was in the harem, and even after she became queen (Esther 2:20).

 Can we possibly say the same about ourselves? Do we follow the wisdom shared with us, even when it’s difficult, or do we cave into societal pressure to go along and get along? I know I’m not great at this. I know that, as a people pleaser, I have often said what I thought someone wanted to hear or what I thought would make me more popular. I’ve always longed to be like and accepted, and I’d do a lot to make that happen. It is a particular weakness of mine. I’m afraid that if I had been in Esther’s position I would have found a comfortable place in the fellowship of the harem and blended in like everyone else.

 But that’s clearly not what the Bible teaches. In our verse from Proverbs today we are instructed to, “Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life.” I’m not sure why these things are so hard for me. The first part, listen to advice, seems innocuous enough, but I’ve got to admit, as soon as I’m told what to do my heart pulls to do something else. My husband will attest to this as when I say I don’t care where we go to dinner, as soon as he suggests something I come up with some reason why that won’t work at all. Is this my sin-nature, the flesh at work against my spirit? Why, after decades of walking with my Savior, am I so naturally adverse to doing what I should?

 Then you come to the second part of the directions, “receive discipline.” Now that’s tough. The idea of receiving discipline to me involves accepting, integrating, acquiescing. My first reaction when I am the subject of discipline, whether from a person or from God, is to defend. I want to explain why I am not deserving of it. I want to share my motives and make someone understand and agree with me. My default is certainly not to “receive” it. Again, I see this as a serious character flaw. I truly believe I should humbly receive discipline. I believe it is for my good and benefit. And yet, I bristle at it.

 So why should we listen and receive? The verse finishes off by listing the benefits of doing so: “that you may become wise by the end of your life.” The Bible tells us the following things about wisdom:

for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.  [Proverbs 8:11 NIV]

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.  [Proverbs 3:13-18 NIV]

 Wisdom is clearly something worth seeking after, something worth sacrificing for. Nothing I desire, not popularity or friendship, not approval, nothing can compare with her. She is profitable and precious. Her ways are pleasant. That’s something I need to remind myself of. When I bristle against advice or discipline, I need to remember that wisdom’s ways are pleasant and all her paths are peace.

Here’s the Thing: There are things in life that are good for me, that I’m not excited about doing. I know I should go to the dentist, go to my exercise class, make that phone call, but I put it off, I avoid it. But when I follow through and do the thing I know is good for me, it pretty much always turns out well. I’m almost always glad I did it. It’s hard to drag myself out of bed, put my clothes on, and go to the Y, but after class I feel better and I’m so glad I went. I guess that’s on my heart because I skipped class this morning (sheepish grin). I do want to seek after wisdom. I do see her benefits. If only I could shift that head knowledge to my heart…