A Place for Works?

(Proverbs 7:4 KJV)  Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

I never had a “sister” (269).  My wife tells me that if I had, I would understand women a lot more.  I think there is some truth to that.  This speaks of a relationship that sees us when our guard is down.  Of course the same is true of a brother but somehow the idea of “closer than a brother” seems to have a different flavor.

(Proverbs 18:24 NASB)  A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

I tend to think of a brother sticking up for you when you are attacked.  I think of a sister pointing out all of my faults but expecting me to protect her.  Of course the roles could be reversed, but you get the idea. 

An “intimate friend” (4129) is a different proposition.  It is interesting that the KJV uses a feminine noun but the dictionary says it is a masculine noun.  The KJV is probably looking at the context of sister while the NASB is looking to contrast different types of relationships.  Who knows?  A friend is different from a sister.  A friend takes work.  “Understanding” (998) can be ours.  It can be a real friend, but it requires us to work at it.  Again we come to study, worship and contemplation.

So?  Grace is given by the choice of God.  It is a free gift.  Wisdom and knowledge seem to be available but we have to work at them.  Go for the gold.