Pearls From Proverbs – Chapter Eight
We will now look at Proverbs chapter eight:
WISDOM CALLS OUT
1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. 3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: 4 "To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. Proverbs 8:1-11 (NKJV)
Here wisdom has become a person and cries out to us. Wisdom’s call is contrasted to the call of the immoral woman of chapter Proverbs chapter seven. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman who guides us and makes us succeed. Wisdom was present at the Creation and works with the Creator. God approves of those who listen to Wisdom’s counsel. Those who hate wisdom love death. Wisdom should affect every aspect of our life, from beginning to end. Be sure to open all corners of your life to God’s direction and guidance.
Wisdom calls:
1. From the high hill so that may hear
2. Beside the path that we all travel
3. From the gates of the city that we all go through
4. From the doorways that we all enter
Wesley comments on verses two and three says:
High place - Where she may be best seen and heard. Paths - Where many paths meet, where there is a great concourse, and where travelers may need direction. Gates - The places of judgment, and of the confluence of people. The entry - To invite passengers at their first coming and to conduct them to her house. The doors - Of her house.
From a distance she calls – to right next to us she calls. She is around every corner. She is at every cross road. We can see her on the hill and hear her as we walk down the road. She waits by the door of our house when we go out and when we come back home. She is at the mall – she is at the movie theater – she is at our work place – she is at the grocery store – she is at the hospital – she is at the bar. Wherever we go – she is there. The question is – are we listening?
Her desire is to speak to everyone – but she especially wants to speak to two types of people:
1. the simple – those who are naive
2. the fools – those who ignore understanding
In the New Living Translation verse five says:
“You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.” Proverbs 8:5 (NLT)
The Message translation says:
“Listen, you idiots—learn good sense! You blockheads—shape up!” Proverbs 8:5 (MSG)
All of us have probably been foolish at some point or other in life. All of us could use wisdom.
God makes us a promise in verse six. He says that when He speaks He will tell us “excellent things”. They will be right. They will be true. There will be no half truths found on His lips. There will be no deception in His voice. Nothing crooked or perverse will we find in what He says. God is righteous and what He speaks is righteous too.
The value of His instruction is more important than silver. The value of His instruction is more important than gold. The value of His instruction is to be prized more than rubies. Instruction must not only be heard – it must also be received. We must prefer wisdom before riches. We must receive God’s instruction as of most important. Jesus said:
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
THE NATURE AND VALUE OF WISDOM
12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. 17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. 20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. Proverbs 8:12-21 (NKJV)
Here wisdom speaks for herself. I would like to present an alternate translation for this section. It is from The New Century Version:
“I am wisdom, and I am smart. I also have knowledge and good sense. If you respect the Lord, you will also hate evil. I hate pride and bragging, evil ways and lies. I have good sense and advice, and I have understanding and power. I help kings to govern and rulers to make fair laws. Princes use me to lead, and so do all important people who judge fairly. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Riches and honor are mine to give. So are wealth and lasting success. What I give is better than the finest gold, better than the purest silver. I do what is right and follow the path of justice. I give wealth to those who love me, filling their houses with treasures. Proverbs 8:12-21 (NCV)
From this passage we find:
1. Wisdom gives men good heads – They dwell with prudence, find knowledge and discretion.
2. Wisdom gives men good hearts – They dwell in the fear of the Lord. They hate all sin – pride, arrogance, and the way of evil. They stay away from lies and a perverse mouth.
3. Wisdom gives men well governed societies – They are wonderful counselors and rule with justice.
4. Wisdom gives men true happiness – They are satisfied with the riches of God. The things of this world may fill men’s bellies but not their spiritual bank accounts. Wisdom promises believers goods laid up, not for days and years, but for eternity – her fruit is better than gold. Jesus said:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV)
WISDOM ESTABLISHED
22 "The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primeval dust of the world. 27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men. Proverbs 8:22-31 (NKJV)
Here God says that wisdom is primary and fundamental. Wisdom reveals herself as preceding all creation, stamped upon it all, one with God, yet in some way distinguishable from Him as the object of His love. It is the foundation on which all life is built. The Psalmist tells us:
“O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all.” Psalms 104:24 (NKJV)
In Proverbs chapter three we find:
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.” Proverbs 3:19-20 (NKJV)
And also in Jeremiah we find:
“He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.” Jeremiah 10:12 (NKJV)
Wisdom was before the foundation of the world – and in wisdom God created it all.
LISTEN TO WISDOM’S WORDS
32 "Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death." Proverbs 8:32-36 (NKJV)
Surely we should listen to God’s voice. We should listen as if our lives were dependent upon the words that are spoken – because they are! Only God gives life – physical as well as eternal life. Should we not listen to Him? Let us all be wise, and not refuse such instruction. Blessed are those who hear the God’s voice and wait on him with daily reading, meditation, and prayer. The children of this world find time for useless entertainment – can we not find time to listen to listen to our Father? Please let us not show contempt for God’s instructions by turning a deaf ear to Him. Christ is our wisdom. He is life to all believers. We cannot obtain God’s favor unless we find Christ and listen to Him. Jesus said:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28 (NKJV)
My question for you today is: Do you hear His voice? Are you following Him?
