Proverbs - Chapter 8

God's Wisdom is Seeking After You! A verse-by-verse study of chapter 8 of the Book of Proverbs. Believersbibleschool.com

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The Book of Proverbs
Chapter 8

As we begin another chapter, we will concentrate on wisdom - what it really is and what it is not.  The word "wisdom" is found 149 times in 141 verses in scripture, and in the original language of Hebrew it means "skillful and wise."  That, of course, would mean skillful and wise in the eyes of God, according to His Word.

Wisdom Cries Out

As we go into verse 1 of chapter 8, we see that wisdom is crying out to be heard and recognized by the people.  In other words, the majority of God's people during the time of King Solomon did not have wisdom, nor did they seek after it, so she, meaning wisdom, is going after the people looking for anyone who will respond to her calling. 

  • Isn't it the same today?  Even God's people keep ignoring God's wisdom, even though it is far more precious than silver or gold.  To get it, one has to seek after it and takes time and effort.  Like anything precious, it will cost something, and sadly, many in the church are still not willing to put forth the effort to receive God's wisdom.  

We have been learning that in order to get God's wisdom, one must first learn what it is, and then seek to understand it.  For when it is understood and applied to one's life, then wisdom will come.  To obtain it, it must be sought after. 

I am reminded of this verse from Hebrews that tells us the importance of the Word of God, knowing knowledge of God's Word is the first step toward wisdom.

Heb 4:12  For the Word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Knowing God's Word comes by studying it to get it down deep into our hearts so that it becomes a part of who we are.  We have to purpose to seek after God's Word. 

  • God's Word is alive and active and can penetrates deep into our being when we learn, meditate and apply it to our lives. 
  • Then wisdom will come because the Word of God tells us that we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).  The Holy Spirit lives within us to teach us the Word of God WHEN we purpose to get it down into our heart. 

Back to Proverbs and let's begin with verse 1:

Proverbs 8:1 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: 

Wisdom, personified, is crying out from every place that people tread their feet - as they travel down the walks of life, at the gate of the city where people congregate, and even at the entrance of any door where people go in to meet with each other.  As we learned, wisdom has a name - and it is "she."  She is calling out for people to seek after her everywhere.  Yet, people walk right on by her, thinking they don't want her, they don't need her, or they already have her.  Or, let's put it in simple Christianese terms - Christians will let dust settle on their Bibles because they are too lazy to read it, even ignore it when it is sitting right in front of them, thinking they know how to do life their way, or absently minded think they will read it later. 

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. 

Wisdom is calling all men - where here the sons of men mean the sons of Adam - every person - godly or ungodly.  So wisdom is calling from the rooftops - "anyone who would listen - hear me, listen to what I have to say." 

  • The understanding what is learned is developed through prudence - diligently, regularly, and persistantly seeking to find the treasures that it holds. 

I am reminded of the parable from Matthew 22 of the wedding feast where those invited had one excuse after another why they couldn't come to the feast.  So the king, very upset, told his servants to go out into the highways and byways to invite anyone who was willing to come.

While the situation was entirely different in this parable, the principle is the same.  God's offer of wisdom or salvation is far more precious than silver or gold, but not many people want it enough to seek after it. 

  • The truth is - it is the responsibility of all Christians to obtain God's wisdom so that we can then give it out to others who seek it.  Little by little, line upon line, precept upon precept, can we speak out God's wisdom wherever we go?

Receive Wisdom

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.

Wisdom does not give up on the biligerant or simple minded.  "Anyone"...wisdom calls out, "listen, for what I say, because this is of the greatest importance.  I hold truth, and I am easy for anyone to understand.  It's worth far more than gold or silver, rubies or any other thing because nothing could ever compare to me." 

  • It can be said of the Scriptures that in general they are easy to read and understand. While there are some deep and complicated passages in the Bible, but when we refer to the Gospel of Christ, which is our salvation, that is the fundametal truths of the Bible and easy to understand for those who choose to trust and honor God's Word. 
  • We are also in a day where we have the Bible in print, audio, internet, and all kinds of biblical teachings out there - including what I am doing with Moments in Proverbs. 

How easy it is today to get the Word of God on the inside of us and then share it with others.  So then, my prayer for you is that what I am doing with these daily excerpts through the Book of Proverbs will help you grow in your faith so you can then share it with others.

12  I wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and disretion.  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.

Prudence:  "Wisdom applied in practice."

Wisdom is the application of prudence, meaning self control, good judgment are sisters to wisdom.  They work together to form a team.    

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, and should be the motto of every believer - Old and New Covenant alike.  That means having reverence for God before anything, and that reverance will bring one to hate evil. 

  • Go to wisdom because she will bring you to seek out God's knowledge and understanding to apply God's wisdom in your life.  

By Wisdom Kings Reign

Proverbs 8:15-16  By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.  16 By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.  

Wisdom is again talking here.  She is now saying that by wisdom kings reign and rulers decree justice.  We have seen many things in Proverbs regarding how to get wise in the eyes of God.  By now we all know that first comes knowledge, with the purpose of  understanding before you can obtain  wisdom. 
 
King Solomon was known all over the known world as the wisest king anywhere.  He knew that to effectively run a kingdom, its leader, meaning the king or prince's had to have wisdom as well - the wisdom that comes only from God. 
 
  • While most surrounding countries of Israel did not have a godly king, all kings who claimed to have wisdom did not have it because it was not godly wisdom.  And only godly wisdom prevails over all other wisdom that man may think he has.   
  • Most of what was considered wisdom in the eyes of man, God considered evil.  As such, King Solomon of Israel was known as the wisest of all kings.  Kings and leaders from many nations outside of Israel sought after King Solomon's wisdom continuously.
  • King Solomon, as the leader of leaders would only have on his advisory team those who would follow after the wisdom of God.  In addition, his son Rehoboam was probably considered a prince from birth and was taught wisdom by his father Solomon as a way of life.  For how long that went on, Scripture does not tell us. 
Wise people generally end up being leaders over people because people automatically follow those who wisely lead.  In fact, King Solomon was so wise that leaders of other nations came to him to seek out his wisdom.  In doing so, he gave out his many proverbs - 3000 in all to those who would come to him seeking out words of wisdom that they would come from far-a-way nations just to hear the wisdom that came out of his mouth.   
 
  • Because his wisdom was followed by kings of other nations, he was, in actuality ruling over those nations. 
That tells us something about the importance of becoming a leader.  What all Christians need to discover is - that all Christians are meant to be leaders.  All Christians have a call of God on their life, in one way or another, to bring the Good News of the Gospel to those around them whether they are to preach, teach, evangelize, encourage, or serve in one of hundreds of capacities or ways.  As such, God wants all of His people to be good leaders to those around them in whatever calling He has given them. 
 
  • That means Christians need to develop leadership skills in their area of calling or talent to be the best ambassadors for Christ that they can be.  Whether that would take extra education or training, it always means being faithful to whatever God has called you to be.

The Benefits of Wisdom

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.
 
Wisdom is saying here that she will always favor those who faithfully follow her.  They will do well in life. 
 
  • Those who lack wisdom are generally foolish in many ways, and furthermore people in general do not look up to fools. 
  • Those who follow wisdom do find favor with God and others because they are using skills that leaders use.  In other words, life will generally go well with those who use God's wisdom in the affairs of their life.  That means they have already acquired and continue to acquire God's knowledge to gain understanding that brought them to apply God's wisdom to get ahead in this life.
Because those who carry God's wisdom desires to seek it more and more, because of the benefits it brings, the propensity to gain wealth is much more prevelant than one who walks in their own ways of foolishness.  
 
  • But, does that mean that if you have God's wisdom you will automatically have riches?  No, it does not!  God has not called all his people to have monetary riches in this life, but God always provides for His people, so God's people will never to be in need.  Want - maybe, but never in need.
 
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.
 
The fruit, or results of obtaining wisdom, is worth far more than fine gold and choice silver.  It will lead you to walk in righteousness and justice, according to God's standards, and God's righteousness and paths of justice brings peace and contentment in all areas of life.  Living in God's wisdom brings a form of wealth that no amount of money could replace. 
 

Wisdom Goes Back to the Beginning 

Wisdom now takes us back to the beginnings of creation to where we see that King Solomon is expressing himself to foreign kings and leaders who worship pagan gods about the beginnings of time.  Remember, they kept coming to him for wisdom and this explanation of the beginnings of creation was designed by God for Solomon to teach foreign kings and leaders of nations God's truth.  

As King Solomon teaches on the beginnings of creation, we  need to parallel these next few verses with the 1st chapter of Genesis in order to understand it in the way God told Moses.

Proverbs 8:22  "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. 
 
Speaking forth in his proverbs, King Solomon brought out the wisdom of the Almighty God, claiming that He was the One Who not only possesses the greatest of wisdom, but God Himself IS wisdom.  This Almighty God is King Solomon's God who gave him His wisdom that even foreign leaders who followed pagan gods were seeking after.   
 
King Solomon now speaks of the beginnings of beginnings in that his God Almighty existed in the beginning, long before He created the heavens and the earth - the very earth they lived upon.
 

Proverbs 8:24  When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains abounding with water.  

  • Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
  • Gen 1:2  The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep (masses of water). And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Wisdom was in the beginning before God even created the heavens and the earth.  That is because God is wisdom, and from Him came forth wisdom.

We see here in Proverbs 8:24 that even before the fountains of the deep were created is  speaking of Genesis 1:1-2 where Moses, under God's wisdom wrote that the earth was without form and void and darkness covered over the mass of water before it was formed into the earth.  God's Spirit was there hovering over the waters while God's wisdom was busily at work.

  • Genesis 1:7  Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.

Then God made the firmament (Strongs #7549) which means a visible arch in the sky to divide the waters, holding it in place - some waters above the firmament and some waters below the firmament with space inbetween.  God spoke it, and it came to pass.

Proverbs 8:25  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 primal dust of the world. 27 When He prepared the heavens, I (wisdom) was there, when He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

  • Gen 1:9  Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear;" and it was so.  10.  And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas.  And God saw that it was good.

Seeing the parallel beween Proverbs 8 and Genesis, chapter 1, we see here that the mass of waters was divided into two sections of water.  Then God, with His spoken word placed a firmament (visible arch in the sky) inbetween the two masses of water.  Then, in the midst of the lower section of the water mass, God carved out a circle in the midst of the waters below the firmament and spoke - when suddenly dry land appeared like a circle in the center.  This dry land He called Earth, and the waters He called seas.  And God saw it was good.  

But God was far from being done teaching his proverbs to foreign rulers.

Proverbs 8:28  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,

Just like a skilled architecturer, God, through His wisdom, then established clouds above the earth under the firmament to give moisture to the earth and then gave strength to the foundation of the earth down deep in the midst of the waters under the firmament.  As such, God set the boundaries of the sea and the land and commanded them to stay in place.  He also raised up mountains and hills upon the land as we read in verse 25.  The earth contained dirt and rocks as a solid piece of land in the midst of the waters. 

Proverbs 8:30  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.

Wisdom spoke saying:  "I, wisdom was with God, being the master craftsman operating through Him."  Each day of His six days of creation, wisdom went before God always rejoicing in how the heavens and the earth were created.  Each day, something new was created - sun, moon, stars, grass and flowers, animals and fish of the waters. Then on day #6, God created mankind.   His creation of heaven and earth was created, so on day #7, God sat back and was very pleased, saying it was very, very good.
 
We see here that King Solomon spoke wisdom by what he wrote and spoke, which also supported what Moses wrote concerning the beginnings of creation.  God was continually expressing Himself to mankind as the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, and over all of mankind.  This too, should be of importance to us Christians as well as we honor God in being our Creator and how His wisdom far outweighed anything man could ever create.
 

King Solomon's Wisdom in Teaching Pagans

 

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.”

Wisdom came from God Almighty, for He is wisdom.  King Solomon then spoke out God's wisdom to others.  So then, let's pay attention to what King Solomon had to say about God and His wisdom.  For when we do, keeping His ways, we will be blessed. 

  • Look for wisdom everywhere you go, because where you find life, you will find wisdom. 
  • Where you find sin, wisdom has vanished, and for those who do not purpose to seek wisdom damns their own soul, seeking after death and not life. 

Christians Need to Speak God's Wisdom

Wisdom has expressed herself over and over again to people everywhere seeking to have them yearns to seek her.  King Solomon was able to speak forth God's wisdom to many foreign kings and leaders who didn't even believe in God.  He did it in such a way that he was using wisdom in how he presented his proverbs to where unbelievers would seek after what he spoke. 
 
  • That is how we, as Christians should speak out to a dying world with God's nuggets of truth with the purpose of drawing them to want more until they choose for themselves a life filled with Christ and all all He has for them.

So then, let's all seek after God's wisdom.

Pastor Joyce Erickson
Believersbibleschool.com

 

Written by Pastor Joyce A. Erickson

Believers Bible School, Founder https://believersbibleschool.com/