Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’
and call insight your intimate friend,
that they may keep you from the loose woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, July 29, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Can I just say how much I abhor the phrase ‘loose woman’? It just stinks of patriarchy and double standards and the repression of women’s sexuality. I’m not saying women can’t be adulterers or lead people astray any more or less than men can. But the juxtaposition of the perfect chaste, sisterly, friend, “Woman Wisdom” against this idea of the harlot who will lead you (men) astray from wisdom and understanding and God just doesn’t sit well with me.
That being said, as a woman, I cherish my female friendships and I love this idea of hanging out with Wisdom, learning from her, being inspired and sometimes (lovingly) pushed out of my comfort zone in order to go deeper and learn more. And to be fair, I am equally inspired by my male friends, and would love to hang out with “Man Wisdom” just as much! May you be inspired by Wisdom however she—or he—shows up in your life today!
Who inspires me most in my life?
