Godly Wisdom Is Feminine???

Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
    in the markets she raises her voice;
 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
~Proverbs 1:20-21

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
~Proverbs 4:13

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight you intimate friend
~Proverbs 7:4

(See also: Proverbs 3:13-18; 4:5-9; 6:6-11; 8:1-11; 9:1-6. Take note of all the “she” and “her” references for wisdom, instruction, understanding, etc.)

Over the years, I have shifted and changed my daily quiet time in God’s Word. The consistency stays the same however. I cannot stress enough how crucial it is that we are feasting on the Word of God regularly just like physical food. One of the places I read on the weekends right now is Proverbs. Back in January, I had started it over again and I was immediately stunned in chapter 1. I do not know why, but in all the years of reading the Bible, I never noticed that “wisdom” is a feminine noun! Every weekend since, I have seen with wide eyes this truth in the book of Proverbs. It’s so amazing and encouraging to me!! You too perhaps?

This has led me to ponder many different questions revolving around this concept. First, what type of person do I usually picture when I think of a wise person? Well, I would have pictured an old man with a really long beard sitting somewhere in a high tower or distant forest (kinda like Gandalf). I did not picture a woman “raising her voice in the market.” That sounds so shocking!

Two, Biblical femininity can be painted as only quiet, which is seen as basically silent. Notice I said only because of course the Bible teaches that quietness is also a feminine trait so I do not want to come across as saying quietness is bad. But how do I reconcile this picture of a “quiet” woman with the feminine wisdom of Proverbs who “cries aloud in the streets?”

In regards to the first question, clearly I have allowed Hollywood depictions of a wise person to inform my mind more than the Bible. Even a quick Google search of “wise person” will yield mainly pictures of old men. I need to reorient my mind to see that wisdom is part of God’s feminine side. I should also in reality picture a woman at the market or giving a speech.

In regards to the second question, I think I have much more studying to do! Biblical femininity is not going to be solved in this post and often the answer lies between two extremes. The famous passage in Proverbs is of course chapter 31, but I am not even there yet! Here are just few lessons (some new, some old) I believe God is showing me so far through “wisdom as feminine” in Proverbs:

1. Stepping into my womanhood involves growing in wisdom (this begins with the fear of the Lord; includes reading/applying His Word; spending time with wise women).
2. The wise woman speaks!!! But she will use her words to call people to righteousness, to rebuke, to speak noble things, etc. She will not use her words to vent her opinion on every little thing, to gossip, etc.
3. The wise woman is hospitable and invites other women to join her in helping others find truth (this is one of my favorites because it shows discipleship in Proverbs, found in 9:1-6!)
4. Lastly, “Folly” is also depicted as a woman (9:13-18). She is brash and draws others away from truth. Therefore, I am either becoming more like “Folly” or like “Wisdom.” There’s no in between. Both are impacting others, whether for better or for worse.

My sister, if I may ask you too, who are you becoming? Like Wisdom? Or like Folly? And remember, these are recognized by their actions (or lack of), applying (or not) the things they know. Help us Father to become more like Wisdom! Incline our hearts to walk in Your truth. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen