Wise Up: Proverbs 8
Proverbs 8 (NIV)
1 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Obtaining/Seeking Wisom is not a “fad” … It’s historical account has been made available since the foundations of the earth were created. We just need to recognize its wealth for our lives…
Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
“To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
Proverbs 8:1-4
Wisdom is not hidden from view or hard to find (Deuteronomy 30:11-14), she calls to us and cries aloud. It is evident in God’s creation, in the Law describing good and evil, in all of God’s Word, and in Christ. She does not speak in secret; we have no excuse. She raises her voice but men suppress the truth and exchange it for a lie. May I hear wisdom’s voice and embrace her truth. May I heed wisdom’s call and put aside all lies accepted in her place.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
I appreciate verse 14. Thank you for the friends close to me for the wise counsel and insight, when I have needed it most. Thank you Lord for putting these individuals in my life, and for speaking your wisdom through them.
I often re-read the proverb in the Message version. Vs 9 says” you’ll recognize this as true, you with open minds; truth-ready minds will see it at once”.
I always desire an open mind and often pray that God’s spirit will open my mind to his word when I read, but to now say a “truth-ready” mind is a whole new level. An open mind makes it seem like “I” can discern what is true or not but “truth-ready mind clearly lays it out. Do I accept or reject the truth. Lord help me to have a “truth-ready” mind.
I really like that, Debi. A “truth-ready” mind is what I desire as well.
Thanks for the insight.
On this sad, sad day for our country, we need these words more than ever. Help us Lord to embrace your wisdom to turn to you during these difficult days.
32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Amen
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
This speaks volumes to my heart as I have never felt more alive than when I found/accepted Jesus into my heart. God is good all day, everyday. My prayer today, after such tragedy last night is that more people will find God’s love and healing in a time like this.
Vs 34 reminds me of the song…
“Watching and waiting and praising God”
It’s a daily thing, not a quick fix, finding wisdom.
This is so true. Sometimes it is hard to be in a season of waiting, but it is what we are often called to do and it will be worth it.
vv. Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?
James 1:5 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
I am going to have to do more asking of God so that I can have all the wisdom that He would have for me.