Wisdom's Call: 30 Days in the House of LifeSample

THIS NEW THING CALLED FEAR

Satan, the author of folly and destruction, ruined himself by attempting to be like the Most High: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High’” (Isa. 14:12–14 esv). This was ambition at its loftiest and its most foolish, to attempt an act that could never be attained.

The one who could not bear to dwell with the Prince of Peace cozied up to the woman and persuaded her that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which had been forbidden by God, “was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, [so] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate” (Gen. 3:6 esv).

He called her to Folly’s side, and how ironic that wisdom is included in the deception! The first people were already wise, since they walked and dwelt with Wisdom Himself. Wisdom was the first and natural orientation of our parents in the garden. But they chose instead to dwell with foolishness, and we as their children dwell with foolishness. Wisdom and Truth are two sides of the same coin, while Foolishness and Lies are also two sides of the same coin.

The result of the abandonment of wisdom, obedience, and shalom is reported in Romans 1:

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (vv. 21–23 esv)

The depth of grief the first couple likely felt when peace with God was shattered can’t be understated. They experienced an instantaneous transition from peace to chaos, knowing abject fear and shame, hiding because “I was afraid . . . I was naked.”

What is this new thing I feel, called fear? What is this new thing I sense, called nakedness? Imagine, these never-before-known emotions cascading down on their heads and into their hearts, after knowing only shalom.