The Wise Woman

Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you unto Joab, come near hither, that I may speak with thee.” (2 Samuel 20:16)

      Second Samuel twenty is a violent chapter, filled with sedition and murder. Because of Absalom’s rebellion, the men of Israel and Judah were preparing to war among themselves. But in the midst of all this, we read of a lone “wise woman” who comes from out of nowhere, seemingly, with words of wisdom and reason for King David’s commander-in-chief, Joab, who is on the verge of acting upon an impulsive rage. You can read all the particulars in the rest of the chapter; but, suffice it to say, just as Abigail kept David from doing something he would have regretted later, this unnamed woman helped to bring temperance and reason to the inflamed Joab.

       I wonder, do you and I bring calm to a highly charged situation, or do we add fuel to the fire? When questionable decisions are being made in haste, do we jump on the bandwagon (maybe even pushing it ourselves), or do we quietly suggest that everyone catch their breaths and take a longer look? Do those around us feel driven to act quickly, or do they find themselves more inclined to make deliberate, well thought out moves?

       If, in each of these examples, we fall into the second category, you and I may one day find ourselves being referred to as a wise woman also. In the end, I cannot help but think what we do ourselves is no more important than what those within our sphere of influence are encouraged to do. After all, we’re only one. Matthew 11:19 tells us that “wisdom is justified of her children.” In other words, wisdom—or the wise woman—is vindicated by the lives of those who follow after her, those who act wisely themselves because of her inspiration.

       Oh, Spirit of God, make me like that wise woman!