Proverbs 8 - The Nature And Value Of Wisdom Series

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: