Faith Chooses Wisdom

The readings set before us two houses and two paths. David orders the Levites for the service of God, not as though God needed ceremonies, but that His people might be trained in thanksgiving, praise, and faithful order. As Irenaeus says, “He had repudiated holocausts, and sacrifices, and oblations, as likewise the new moons, and the sabbaths, and the festivals, and all the rest of the services.” The outward form is not the end; obedience is. Wisdom has built her house and spread her table, yet folly also sits at the door, calling the simple. One invitation leads to life, the other to the grave.

Amos shows how near judgment can be. The prophet sees the land ready to be consumed, and only earnest intercession stays the blow for a time. Yet when the plumb line is set in the midst of Israel, the crooked wall is not excused. God is patient, but He does not call evil good. Therefore faith is not empty speech. It turns from corruption, receives correction, and stands upright when measured.

Hebrews teaches that faith chooses the unseen reward over present ease. Moses did not merely admire better things; he refused, chose, and endured. John Chrysostom says, “by faith Moses when he had come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” This is the road of wisdom: to leave the passing banquet of sinners, accept the discipline of God, and join yourself to His people in reverent service, prayer, and steadfastness.