Manhood is what young boys dream about.

But it often seems unattainable to them. Yet they instinctively rise to the challenges which they know brings them closer to that dream, believing somehow they can accelerate the process if they can only find a short cut.

But they can’t.

That’s why King Solomon shared his wisdom in Proverbs so that they wouldn’t remain fools their entire lives:

“To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O naive ones, understand prudence, and, O fools, understand wisdom...take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold. For wisdom is better than jewels, and all desirable things cannot compare with her.” [Prov. 8:4-5, 10-11]

Indeed, the entire 8th Proverb describes wisdom as something possessing feminine attributes and having also been demonstrated in the creation of the world. Lady wisdom was clearly present then as a responder and completer in that process. [Prov. 8:22-23]

Shouting from every corner of the culture, she appeals to every young fool to seek honor, purity and accomplishment rather than folly. She stands always ready and willing to accompany him through every stage of his life—first as a mother, then, as a wife.

But he has to make the first move.

And wisdom must also be shared. To become men, boys instinctively seek to qualify themselves through some type of testing or rite of passage. It’s outrageous that most “civilized” cultures today regard any such process to be reckless and unnecessary.

Because the results are devastating.

The young fool often remains that way as a consequence. If he isn’t encouraged to seek lady wisdom, he likely succumbs to the adulteress—the same one who reviles his desire for that rite of passage. [see: Prov. 2:6-22]

And then, he stands, scratching his head, wondering what happened to his dream.

The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. [Ecc. 2:14]