Lesson 8 of 28
WISDOM IS LIKE A GREAT WOMAN. Proverbs Chapter 8
Earlier Solomon said wisdom is like a woman –
Proverbs 1.20 - Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets.
Proverbs 2:4 - If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures.
Proverbs 3:15 - She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Proverbs 4:8 - Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
Proverbs 7:4 - Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman.
In this chapter Wisdom comes to be a picture of the Son of God. –
1. Proverbs 8:1-11 - She is willing to dwell with men,
2. Proverbs 8:12-21 - and to help kings rule better.
3. Proverbs 8:22-31 - Wisdom is eternal and part of God’s nature.
4. Proverbs 8:32-36 - In the end she again appeals to all people to get wisdom.
1. WISDOM WILL DWELL WITH MEN, Proverbs 8:1-11
She calls to men and speaks excellent words.
A. HER CALL, Proverbs 8:1-5
Proverbs 8:1 - Doth not wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice? - Wisdom does not wait until people go out to find her; she herself goes and calls us to listen. She is like a woman who searched through her house to find the lost money, or like the Good Shepherd who went out to find the sheep which was lost, - What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:4; Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? Luke 15:8; For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10.
Proverbs 8:2-3 - She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the ci ty, at the coming in at the doors. - She goes out to the places where people are. This is our command also: Go and preach the Gospel, go and make disciples, - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15; Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19.
Proverbs 8:4-5 - Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. - She calls to all men, and especially to those who are young or unwise. She offers them wisdom and common sense. Of course no one would like to agree that he is a fool, but you can’t get wisdom unless you feel you need it. Not to know and believe Scripture is a sign of a fool, - Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Luke 24:25.
B. HER WORDS, Proverbs 8:6-11
Proverbs 8:6 - Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. - What Wisdom says is excellent and right.
Proverbs 8:7-8 - For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. - She speaks the truth and her words are righteous
Proverbs 8:9 - They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. They are also easily understood by those who seek and find true knowledge. The people could not understand the parables of the Lord Jesus, but His disciples could, - He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Matthew 13:11, Jesus saith unto them, have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Matthew 13:51.
At first Nicodemus could not understand His teaching, - Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? John 3:10. Remember the Lord Jesus not only taught the truth, He is the Truth, - But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham John 8:40, and because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? John 8:45-46; Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6.
People knew that His words were different from anyone else’s, - Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. John 6:68, the officers answered, never man spake like this man. John 7:46.
Proverbs 8:10-11 - Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. – Wisdom, therefore, is better than silver or gold or precious stones or anything you might want to have in this world, - If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Proverbs 2:4; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: Proverbs 2:14-15; My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. Proverbs 8:19; how much better is it to get wisdom than gold ! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Proverbs 16:16 .
2. WISDOM WILL DWELL WITH KINGS, Proverbs 8:12-21
Solomon asked God for wisdom so he could rule Israel well as king, and even today we can easily understand that our governors and rulers need a lot of wisdom, - I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
A. Proverbs 8:12-14 - Wisdom has many good things.
B. Proverbs 8:16-16 - She alone can help kings rule well.
C. Proverbs 8:17-21 - She will help all who love her.
A. WISDOM AND OTHER GOOD THINGS, Proverbs 8:12-14.
Proverbs 8:12 - wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. - Wisdom also brings prudence, knowledge and discretion. The wise person knows the facts, makes his plans, but he is too discrete to tell many others what he is going to do.
Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. - The beginning of knowledge is to fear the Lord, - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 and this means to hate sin just as He does. Many people go to college to get knowledge, and this makes them very proud. But true wisdom keeps you from all kinds of pride, and also from evil living and speaking. Wisdom says she hates these things.
Proverbs 8:14 - Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. - Wisdom can see through problems and give good advice. Wisdom is strong and able to overcome all difficulties, - A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength Proverbs 24:5.
B. WISDOM CAN HELP KINGS RULE WELL, Proverbs 8:15-16.
Proverbs 8:15-16 - By me kings reign, and princes’ decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. - There are different levels of government: kings, princes, rulers, and nobles. All are set up by Gods power, - This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. Daniel 4:17; That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. Daniel 4:25; let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1.
We should pray for our governors that they may ask God for wisdom. God can control all men and He gives authority to kings and governments. This does not mean that He approves what wicked rulers do. He will judge all men great and small when His time comes. Until then, we should obey our rulers, unless we are commanded to worship idols or deny Christ. Even then we should not try to overthrow the government by force.
C. WISDOM WILL HELP ALL MEN WHO LOVE HER, Proverbs 8:17-21.
We should love wisdom. Some people love to be foolish, - How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22. They hate wisdom, - But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Proverbs 8:36. God loves those who love Him, - Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23.
Proverbs 8:17 - I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. - God promises here that we can find wisdom if we seek for it in the right way. Some people reject God and His wisdom, then try to find Him when it is too late, - Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: Proverbs 1:28.
Proverbs 8:18 - Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. - Wisdom again promised that a wise person will have money and be honoured also.
Proverbs 8:20 - I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: - She leads in the right way and we should seek wisdom for its own sake.
Proverbs 8:19, 21 – 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. - Wisdom is better than lots of money, but the wise person will not always be poor.
Some people get rich by cheating others, and some very good Christians never become rich. The New Testament does not give the same promises as the Old Testament.
3. THE WISDOM OF GOD, Proverbs 8:22-31
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and Solomon was writing these chapters in Proverbs by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s joyful work is to give glory to Christ, the Son of God, - He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:14.
Solomon has been describing the Wisdom of God, and in Proverbs Chapter 8, he went on to speak of Christ who is the Wisdom of God, - But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24, In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3.
David, Solomon’s father, was also led by God’s Spirit, - The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. 2 Samuel 23:2, and he wrote about Christ.
In some Psalms David wrote about His own terrible trouble, and the Spirit led him on to describe Christ’s sufferings on the cross, for example, - They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. Psalms 22:18.
God delivered David from his troubles and he went on to speak about Christ’s victory over death, for example, - For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Psalms 16:10.
Proverbs 8:22 - The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. - In the beginning God had all wisdom. There was no point of time when God was foolish or ignorant. God knows all things, we cannot say that He gradually learned by experience. John 1:1 says in the beginning was the Word. This does not mean that the Word (Christ) was created in the beginning. Long ago, in the beginning, the Word was already with God. The Word is eternal and so is God’s wisdom.
Proverbs 8:22 - The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. - says that God possessed wisdom in the beginning of His ways. The old Greek translation changed this to say God created wisdom, and some modern translations followed this error. The word really means to “get” or “own”. In Genesis 14:19, - And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth, God is said to be the Possessor of heaven and earth, but some translations say Creator. Of course He did create the earth, but it is also true to say He owns it. In all verses this word could mean to acquire or possess.
However, we will not say that God acquired wisdom at any time, He is always the same, He never changes. In this chapter we see Wisdom as a title for the Son of God, and we also can say God never acquired His Son, the Son is God and He is eternal.
Proverbs 8:23 - I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. - God has decided that the Son shall be glorified in this world, and He will set Him up as king of kings, - Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Psalms 2:6. This was decided long ago in eternity, before God created the world. God appointed His Son to be heir of all things, - For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; Colossians 1:19; Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Hebrews 1:2.
God ordained Wisdom before the world began, - But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory 1 Corinthians 2:7.
Proverbs 8:24 - When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. - God had wisdom before He made the sea, the rivers.
Proverbs 8:25 - Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: - or High the mountains.
Proverbs 8:26 - While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world - or any part of the earth.
He used His Wisdom in creation, - The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. Proverbs 3:19.
He created the universe by His Son, - All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:3; For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Colossians 1:16; Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Hebrews 1:2. In these words we hear the voice of God’s Son.
Proverbs 8:27-29 - When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: -
He prepared the heavens, - And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: Genesis 1:14,
And made a boundary for the sea, - And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. Genesis 1:9.
He separated the water of the clouds and the water in the sea by the atmosphere, - And 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. Genesis 1:7.
Proverbs 8:30 - Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him - The Son was with the Father, as the Agent of God in Creation.
The Father loved His Son more than a brother or only child, - The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. John 3:35; For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these that ye may marvel. John 5:20; Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. John 10:17; As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:9; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. John 17:23-24; And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:26.
The Son always loved His Father, and His greatest joy was to do His Fathers will, - I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalms 40:8; Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34; Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Hebrews 10:7.
The Father could say He was well pleased with His Son, - And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17; Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18; While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:5.
Proverbs 8:30 - Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; - The Father’s delight was in the Son, and the Son rejoiced with the Father.
Proverbs 8:31 - Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. - The Son also rejoices in living men, and His delight is to be with them. The Son knew He would become man, and His second great pleasure was the world of men. God loves the world and Christ loves His Church, - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16; Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25.
4. WISDOM APPEALS TO ALL MEN, Proverbs 8:32-36
Solomon commanded his sons to listen to him and obey his words, - Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. Proverbs 4:1; Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Proverbs 5:7; Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Proverbs 7:24.
Proverbs 8:32-33 - Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. - In verses 32 and 33 Wisdom is speaking to all people. Those who listen to her will get a blessing; they will be wise if they do not reject her words.
Proverbs 8:34-35 - Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. – Again, Wisdom promises a blessing to those who really want to learn from her. She went out to call people, - She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. Proverbs 8:2, and now she expects them to come to her house every day to learn. The Son gives us eternal life and makes us acceptable to God.
Proverbs 8:36 - But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. - The opposite must also be true. Some people refuse God’s Son, they are only hurting themselves. This can only be because they love death. The second death lies ahead of all who reject God’s Son.
In this important chapter we hear the voice of Wisdom, which is really the voice of God speaking to us through His Son. To refuse Christ is to refuse God, - He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. John 12:48-49; Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. John 13:20.
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God...(Acts 20:26,27). “Come now, let us reason together...” (Isaiah 1:18).
