James Bond and the Wisdom of Solomon (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

When Ian Fleming delivered his first James Bond novel (Casino Royale) to his publishing house, they were, to say the least, reluctant to publish it. It was so different from anything that had yet been published. Plus, it seemed so ... well, unbelievable. In fact, if not for the intervention of Fleming’s brother, who had been published by the same house, we might never have had James Bond.

Today, when James Bond novels and movies are all about us, it seems strange to think someone balked at launching that character. Bond, or Agent 007 as he is often known, is the template for modern spies; certainly for Cold War spies. Without Bond, would we have Jason Bourne? The whole genre of spy fiction might not exist.

So, what was the problem?

The problem lay in the genius of the thing (as is often the fact). Fleming, a former British Naval Intelligence Officer (i.e., spy) created a fictional character as an amalgam of actual spies; other clandestine operatives he knew and worked with, as well as himself. He then told tales reflecting actual spy missions.

There had never been anything quite like it.

Today, we have a special appreciation for that kind of verisimilitude. Today, when a former “operative” writes a book about spy stuff, publishers are all over it. And it’s all because of that original publisher’s experience with that first James Bond novel. The initial print run of that hardback sold out in less than a month. A second printing that same month also sold out that same month! Next, a third printing of 8,000 hardback copies quickly sold out. And by then, they understood what they had: a gold mine.

This —valuing the words of those with experience— is the mindset we need to bring to Wisdom.

Wisdom calls to anyone who will hear her. She offers to share her benefits with anyone and everyone. They are open to all. We need only seek her.

That’s the central message from this week’s selection from Proverbs chapter 8. But it’s not the only message we find there. After making her appeal, she does something we lovers of spy novels can appreciate: she shares her Bona Fides. Wisdom tells us she is the real deal, that she’s not some hack offering the “philosophy du jour” or just telling us what we want to hear.

So, what’s in her bio?

•The first of God’s creation, before the beginning of the earth
•When God established the heavens, she was there
•During creation, she was next to God, serving as a master craftsman and director of the work
•God delighted in her
•She delighted in God’s inhabited world and the human race

Why seek Wisdom? Why trust in her to be our guide? Because she was there when it all began. She had a role in creation; knows, first hand, what was intended; knows the purpose within the design.

If you can’t trust a resume like that, who can you trust?

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PHOTO (and more about that first edition of Casino Royale): https://www.thebookbond.com/2012/03/collectible-casino-royale-hardcovers.html?m=1

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Trinity Sunday (June 16, 2019)
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//texts.php?id=262

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15
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Once again, DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast is meeting Friday morning at our local “Egg and I” restaurant. We start at 8:00; the hour includes great fellowship, good food, Bible study, and a “robust exchange of ideas.”

Join us!
Steve