PROVERBS 8: 12-21
WISDOM BRINGS TRUE SUCCESS
[Isaiah 55]
Having just stated that the worth of wisdom's instruction and knowledge is more valuable than all monetary achievements (8:10-11), Solomon now develops the proof. Wisdom endows its seekers and their life with true wealth (CIT). In this passage the beauty and grace of wisdom are set forth with the understanding that it can never be achieved without the fear of the Lord.
Wherever the instructions of wisdom are understood and practiced, a revolution of progress comes about be it in people, churches, businesses, schools or governments. Wisdom identifies herself with insight, counsel and power and claims the greatest achievements for those who love her. [According to Colossians 2:3, Jesus is not only the source of all wisdom, but the very essence of wisdom.]
I. WISDOM'S COMPANIONS, 12-14.
II. LEADING AND DECIDING RIGHTLY, 15-16.
III. WISDOM'S MOTIVATION, 17.
IV. WISDOM'S CHOICE REWARDS, 18-21.
Verse 12 begins to tell us the friendship that God's wisdom helps us establish. "I, wisdom dwell with prudence and I find knowledge and discretion."
How wonderful wisdom is. It spark life into other virtues. If a person has wisdom he will also have prudence (sensibleness, good sense), knowledge, and discretion. Wisdom inhabits prudence. It has settled down and taken up residence with it. Prudence is the ability to discriminate between truth and error. It is the capacity to escape the wiles or traps of life. Jesus certainly possessed it. Prudence restrained Him from hasty confidence (Jn. 2:23-24), removed Him from premature danger (Mt. 12:14-16, Jn. 6:15) and kept Him from needless offense (Mt. 17:27).
Discretion denotes well-considered carefully thought out designs, plans and conclusions. It is a reservation of speech matched with responsible decisions and actions. This intellectual power is granted by wisdom. Prudence and discretion are the skills needed to direct the best way to its highest end. Prudence, knowledge and discretion are bestowed and developed by wisdom.
Verse 13 teaches us again that to fear God consists of devotion to Him and a dread of sin. "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate."
Wisdom dwells with prudence and discretion but it cannot dwell with evil. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Since the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, it must come before all else (1:7). We have the fear of the Lord defined for us here.
Hating evil is what corresponds to the fear of the Lord. This indicates hating that which puffs up or pride [whose essence is found in its middle letter: I] and that which is high or haughty or arrogant. These sins of attitude or conduct (walk) also demonstrate themselves by the mouth or in conversation.
The virtue of virtues is humility therefore wisdom hates all that is opposed to it. Was not our Savior the most humble and a servant to all? Therefore wisdom hates all that is opposed to humility. [Shrewd and clever persons are prone to "pride and arrogance." Pride turns all values upside down, as "perverse" literally means (2:14). Wisdom's deepest goal is to get us to trust God. Self-trust is the constant target of her hatred, because it is the opposite of fearing God (see 1:7).]
Men most often fear God because of the wrath that is to come at the end of the age. They know the are guilty and deserve punishment. Thus their present life is embittered (often subconsciously) by fear of wrath in the next.
To fear retribution is not the same thing as hating sin. For most who fear retribution seek sin with their whole heart. Instead of hating sin, they regret that God hates it. Relaxing this fear of God's retribution is the driving force in false religions.
In Christ false fears can be healed. It is when sin is repented of and forgiven that a sinner can hate it (various persons would simply dismiss it). He then is on God's side-- for how can two walk together unless they agree? Instead of hating God for His holiness, the forgiven man now loathes evil, even that in his own heart, and longingly looks for the day when all things will be made new. Such is the blessed fruit of pardon when it comes to a sinner through the blood of Christ.
Verse 14 confesses wisdom's competence which flows from the fear of God. "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine."
[Verse fourteen is reminiscent of Job 12:13, 16 where these attributes of God are stated. In Isaiah 9:6 they are among the predicted gifts of the Messianic King.]
Wisdom enables people to give wise counsel with sound judgment and to have understanding (insight) which promotes the enabling and valor to do right. ["Counsel" is the ability to make decisions and shape plans that will have beneficial outcomes for all involved. "Sound wisdom" is strategy that really works and enjoys lasting success (3:21). [Hubbard, David. The Preacher's Com, Vol 15: Proverbs. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1989, S. 122]
True wisdom gives men their best counsel in all difficult situations and helps them discern the best path. In all our doubts and anxieties we can go to God and find counsel and sound wisdom.
It is not that He has understanding to govern the world but that He is understanding. All understanding is in Him. All enlightenment is derived from Him (Jn. 1:9). God's understanding is the solution; His almighty strength is everlasting (Ps 117:5, Isa. 40:28). ["Understanding" is not compassion or sympathy as it sometimes is in English but penetrating insight, the skill to dissect an issue into its components, see into the heart of a matter and bring it all together (1:2; 4:1; 7:4).]
All of these tools can bring significant accomplishment, an effective solution for problems, and set a course of action in politics, economics or justice so that they become great "strength" or "might."
In all our conflicts and weariness we can go to Him who has strength or power. Remember, there are tremendous blessings in the fear of the Lord and hating evil.
God's wisdom will inspire and sustain us. Sometimes life presents us with challenges that calls for great wisdom and strength. Perhaps it involves a decision that will affect other lives, or perhaps we are called on to assume new and heavy responsibility. We may be challenged by some change in circumstances that seems to mean the disruption of our whole way of life.
We can meet every challenging situation or circumstance by putting first things first, that is, by taking it to God in prayer. As we open ourselves to God's inspiration, we will find that every challenge is an opportunity to become stronger, wiser, happier, than we were before. In the communion of prayer will come the assurance that God's Spirit in us is the strength of our life. God inspires us to make right decisions and gives us the strength and courage necessary to carry them out.
II. LEADING AND DECIDING RIGHTLY, 15-16.
Verse 15 attests that wisdom is the source wherever leaders make a right decision here call "justice." "By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. (16) By me princes and nobles rule, all who judge rightly."
[There are 16 personal pronouns -I, mine, my- in verse 12-21.] Wisdom makes men capable of holding and discharging the highest duties and the most challenging offices. Not only does it give capacity, it is the source of authentic power and authority [to be right and make right decisions, for right should = might] for the highest and most challenging of positions and responsibilities. Wisdom provides the perspective to see issues clearly and the power pursue them courageously.
Wisdom inspires all the good actions of kings. Every righteous enactment of their governing, every truly royal act derives its inspiration from the wisdom that presides over the universe. All good earthly rules proceeds from wisdom as sunbeams proceed from the sun. Whatever is wholesome in man's laws, wisdom suggested and inspired.
Such wisdom is sorely needed in a world where politicians boast of their exploits and bury their failures in their frenzied efforts to grasp or maintain positions of power! How much more honest would we all be if God's wisdom got the credit for our success and we forth rightly shouldered the blame for our folly!
[All righteous authority and power find their source in God (Rom. 13:1-6). Men may mix their own pride, folly and self-will and appoint those they desire so that they may do what is right in their own eyes (Judg. 17:6, 19:1, Hos. 8:4, 2 Pet.2:10, Jude 8). But God's providential dealing preserves and brings down governments according to His plan.
Wisdom not only births the good, it limits the evil. It judges the time and seasons both removing and preserving rulers as the people they serve deserve.]
III. WISDOM'S MOTIVATION, 17.
Part of what makes wisdom such blessing is her loving-care for those who value her as is seen in verse 17. "I love those who love me; And those who diligently (early-KJV) seek me will find me."
Though wisdom is available to all, she is acquired by those who love her. Wisdom then grants special blessings for those who love her. Divine wisdom has a heart as well as an intellect. It cares as well as counsels. It has love in it. Love is its creator, its root, its origin. The highest, most noble wisdom comes from God's love.
Love is the great motivator. The universe itself is the offspring of wisdom exhibited in love. Wisdom does its work of love in marriages, in child-rearing, in churches and in all noble human relationships and activities.
But it must be sought to be obtained and the more diligently and earlier in life the better. Love wisdom early before the hardening habits of sin have been built in and attached to your life. The acquisition of wisdom should be a principle desire and choice of both mind and heart.
Listener, lay claim by faith to this marvelous promise. Love wisdom and seek her diligently. What a priceless treasure she holds out to those who diligently seeker her!
[Wisdom, seen completely in the Person of Jesus, says, "I love them that love Me and those who seek Me early shall find Me." It was early in the day that the manna fell from heaven. But, as the sun came out and began to beat down upon the earth, the manna melted. I find the same thing to be true spiritually. If I'm not in the Word, gaining wisdom from morning manna, as the day goes on, the manna just isn't there in the same way. That is why the wise man seeks the Lord early in the day—and not only early in the day, but early in the situation.
You see, our Lord is a perfect Gentleman. He doesn't force His way in. Rather, He'll let us try and work out a situation until we become exasperated and finally call upon Him. That is why the wise man seeks the Lord early in any given situation—and not only early in the situation, but early in life.
After the age of thirty-five, the odds of a person becoming a born-again believer are said to be 1 in 50,000. After the age of forty-five, they're 1 in 300,000. After the age of seventy-five, they're 1 in 700,000. Why? Because the more a person resists the Spirit, the harder his heart becomes. Therefore, seek the Lord early in the day. Seek Him early in the situation. Seek Him early in life. [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson's Application Com: Vol 2. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2006, S. 196]
IV. WISDOM'S CHOICE REWARDS, 18-21.
Wisdom's rewards are recorded as the climax of this section. "Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness."
Wisdom makes herself available to all who fervently pursue her. Their welfare then becomes her aim. This welfare is detailed in spectacular terms: "riches," "honor" (or glory), "enduring wealth", and "righteousness," or maintaining right relations with God and His people.
This fading world is too poor a portion (Ps. 17:14f) for those who pursue God. The real honor of riches depends on the nobleness and purity of the fountain from which they flow. If the fountain is nasty and muddy, if the stream seen in the light is polluted and infecting then no matter how much you possess of them your do not have true riches and honor. Those who pursue worldly wealth pursue a shadow of real wealth. They are ever grasping at its satisfaction and never able to get a permanent hold on it. Ours are the enduring riches of eternity and the honor of ruling over our own life in dignity. Of having a righteousness that is acceptable before God and being conformed to His image.
Wisdom gives pure honorable riches and enduring wealth in contrast to those riches that sprout wings and fly away. These enduring riches are therefore coupled with righteousness (or conformity to God's will). The uncertainty of riches often steams from the unrighteousness used to obtain them. Godly living or righteousness and eternal wealth are major benefits of having wisdom. Wisdom's riches are pure and imperishable because they are found in the springs of grace and fountains of glory.
Verse 19 teaches that wisdom is like a productive orchard or vineyard whose fruit and crop are priceless. "My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield than choicest silver."
Here wisdom compares spiritual and material wealth. Spiritual wealth enriches the man himself. Material wealth does not. It is all external accumulation. One resides with man and is permanent. The other is a fugitive and will one day run away with death no matter how much you possess.
The marketplace word "yield" focuses our attention on wisdom's ability to produce benefits far superior to those produces by "fine gold and choicest silver." Scripture's question is, "Why do you spend your money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to me. Listen that you may live" (Isa. 55:2f, MT 6:19-21, Rev. 3:18).
When King Demetrius had sacked and plundered and burned the city of Megaera to the foundation, he demanded of the philosopher Stilpo what loses he had sustained. "None at all" replied Stilpo for war's destruction cannot take the spoil of virtue from a man."
["Ask whatever you will and I'll give it to you," the Lord said to Solomon. Realizing the responsibility of being a king, Solomon asked for wisdom. And the Lord said, "Because you didn't ask for riches, honor, health, or victory over your enemies, I'll give you wisdom and all these other things, as well" (see 2 Chronicles 1:10–12). Therefore, when he said wisdom is better than gold, Solomon spoke with the authority of one who had both. [Courson, s 196]
Verse 20 describes how wisdom comports herself. "I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice."
The fruit and produce of wisdom is the gain and profit it yields (v.19). Wisdom acts in accordance with justice and righteousness (or in conformity to God's will).
The verb tense expresses firm constant action meaning that she does not turn from this line of conduct and action. To walk in wisdom you must walk the way of righteousness and justice. We find wisdom in the way of righteousness and she walks with us in it. She is our companion when we preform justice. God would have us walk in wisdom so that He can bring us to our desired end. In the path of justice He will save us from deviating into sin.
Verse 21 promises true wealth to those who love God's wisdom or word. "To endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries."
Wisdom again connects itself with wealth to denote true possessions. The Lord will cause those who love Him to be endowed, to inherit substance (Heb. 10:34, Mt. 25:34). Wisdom proclaims, "I will fill their treasuries." What a truly great promise! God is even now filling our treasuries.
It will take much to fill the treasuries of our next life but our King possesses unlimited treasures. What an explosion of sustaining joy will be ours when with unbound delight we realize what royal divine bounty has been given us to enjoy throughout eternity!
If a man were "to gain the whole world" his appetite would not perceptibly be diminished (and maybe even increased). The inner void would be as great and his craving as keen as ever. Jesus fills us with the treasures of Himself and who knows what He has in store for those of us who love Him (1 Cor. 2:9). He has said He would fill us with a wealth that will never perish.
CONCLUSION
It is not surprising that wisdom says that those who love her will prosper. Someday wisdom's words will be upheld as eternally true for the only wealth a person can take with them is their personal sanctification, which can be seen in their spiritual virtue, their righteousness, their holiness, their faith, their hope, but most of all, their love. [Mt 6:19-21]
On a wall in our home hangs a picture of the GHOST-TOWN of Bodie, Nevada. While out west visiting family my wife stopped by and became intrigued with the place. It became an abandoned town after the gold rush gave out. In its hay-day, it was all anyone could have wanted.
Main street was bustling with activity a hundred or so years ago. There were restaurants, hotels, general stores, saloons, a fire station, houses and even a funeral home. Walking through that gold mining town helped one imagine what life was like. When the gold played-out the people also left, leaving all kinds of "treasures" behind. Over time the town became a weather-beaten shell.
The miners were persistent in working their claims as long as there was hope of finding a "glory hole." When the hope of finding a glory hole gave out among more and more miners, the town eventually dried up and died.
What are you mining out of God's "glory hole" - Jesus Christ and His Word? Has the playing-out of your life or other Christian lives' caused you to stop digging into God' s Word and bringing out the eternal treasures of Christ? If you have been encountering the riches of Christ, why not share them with others? This could renew their life and cause them to dig deep into God's Word also.
Do you know anyone whose life is becoming a spiritual ghost town? Why not share with them some treasure from your "glory hole." Stimulate them once again to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24-25).
