Wisdom in a world of chaos

Like many of us, I look to Scripture to hear the counsel of God. Here from the first chapter of Wisdom are words which I found especially helpful as I've navigated, negotiated, and negated over the weekend concerning this historic, society changing health care bill cobbled together by the same people who had responsibility to regulate Wall Street and .promised nothing this large would be implemented without bi-partisan support.

"Love justice, you who judge the earth; think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in integrity of heart; Because he is found by those who test him not, and he manifesets binself to those who not disbelieve him. For perverse counsel separates a man from God, and his power put to the proof, rebukes the foohardy. Because into a soul that plots evil wisdom enters not, nor dwells she in a body under debt of sn. For the holy spirit of discipline, flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsel and when in justice occurs it is rebuked. For wisdom is a kindly spirit, yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips; Because God is the wirness of his inmost self and the sure observer of his heart and the lisener to this tongue. For the spirit of the Lord fills the word, is all-embracing and knows what man says. (Wisdom 1:1-7)

The secular rulers of the day are only the implied recipients of this book. The Wisdom of Solomon is not so much an attempt to persuade secular rulers to "love righteousness" as it is an appeal to Israelites to remain faithful in trying times. addressing the 'rulers of the earth' is a literary device to remind the Israelites that God, the ruler of the nations, will call these earthly rulers to account for their actions. (New Interpreters Study Bible).