Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8:1

K. Wisdom Personified (Chap. 8)8:1 Chapter 8 is in sharp contrast to chapter 7. There the adulteress called out to the sons of men. Here wisdom invites them to follow her, and gives strong reasons for doing so. A parallel passage in the NT is Joh_7:37 where Christ calls men to come to Him and drink. 8:2, 3 These verses tell where Wisdom is found. The list of places indicates that she is readily available to the race of men in their daily travels. 8:4, 5 She issues her call to all types of men, to those of distinction and those of inferior rank. She calls to the simple and the fools. She is “the would-be guide of Everyman,” says Kidner. 8:6-9 The character of Wisdom’s teaching is next described. She speaks of excellent things, . . . right things, . . . truth, and righteousness. From her lips come no evil, crooked or perverse things. Anyone who has a measure of discernment and understanding will find them straight and just. 8:10, 11 The value of Wisdom’s instruction is incomparable. It is to be desired above silver, . . . choice gold, . . . rubies, or anything else that men prize highly. 8:12, 13 Wisdom lives in the same house with prudence. They go together, so that, if you have Wisdom, you also have insight. Wisdom gives knowledge and discretion for the management of the affairs of life. There are things that Wisdom does not live with. They are moral opposites, and she despises them, namely, all forms of evil, whether pride, arrogance, wicked behavior, or lying speech. 8:14-21 Some of the rewards or benefits of Wisdom are: Good counsel (v. 14a) Sound judgment (v. 14b) Understanding (v. 14c) Moral strength to do what is right and to resist evil (v. 14d) Leadership ability (vv. 15a, 16a) Judicial skill (vv. 15b, 16b) Affection and companionship (see Joh_14:21) (v. 17a) Ready access to those who mean business (v. 17b) Enduring riches coupled with honor and righteousness (v. 18) Character that is worth more than fine gold or choice silver (v. 19) Guidance in paths of righteousness and of justice, bringing wealth in abundance (vv. 20, 21). We have already mentioned that these passages dealing with Wisdom can be fittingly applied to the Lord Jesus, since the NT refers to Him as Wisdom (Mat_11:19; Luk_11:49; 1Co_1:24, 1Co_1:30; Col_2:3). Nowhere is the application more clear and beautiful than in the following verses. The Christian Church has consistently regarded this paragraph as referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. What then do we learn about Christ in “this noble specimen of sacred eloquence”? 8:22 His eternal generation: “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way.” We must not understand the word “possessed” as implying that Christ ever had a beginning. God never existed without the quality or attribute of wisdom, and neither did He ever exist without the Person of His Son. The meaning here is exactly the same as in Joh_1:1 : “In the beginning . . . the Word was with God. . . .” 8:23 His appointment from eternity. “Established” means anointed or appointed. Long before creation took place, He was appointed to be the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. 8:24-26 His pre-existence. The words “brought forth” must not be taken to mean that He was ever created and thus had a beginning. They are poetic language describing the Son’s eternal existence and His personality as being distinct from that of God the Father. The primal dust refers to the beginnings of the world. 8:27-29 His presence at creation. He was there when the heavens were stretched over the land and sea, when clouds were formed, and fountains and springs began gushing forth. He was there when the boundaries of the oceans were decided upon, the waters being commanded not to pass beyond the limits set. He was there when the foundations of the earth were made, including the internal structure that supports the outer crust. 8:30a His activity in creation. Here we learn that the Lord Jesus was the active Agent in creation. The NKJV correctly renders the first part of verse 30, “Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman. . . .” This agrees, of course, with Joh_1:3; Col_1:16; and Heb_1:2. 8:30b His position of affection and delight . . . before God. The eternal and infinite love of the Father for His Son increases the marvel that He would ever send that Son to die for sinners. 8:30c His personal delight before God. This magnifies the grace of our Lord Jesus Christthat He would ever leave that scene of pure and perfect joy to come to this jungle of shame, sorrow, and suffering. 8:31 His rejoicing in the inhabited world. It is amazing that out of all the vast universe, He should be especially interested in this speck of a planet. His special delight in the sons of men. The final wonder is that He should set His affection upon the rebel race of men. William Cowper left us this magnificent hymn based on verses 22-31: Ere God had built the mountains, Or raised the fruitful hills; Before He filled the fountains that feed the running rills; In Thee, from everlasting The wonderful I AM Found pleasures never wasting, And Wisdom is Thy Name. When like a tent to dwell in, He spread the skies abroad, And swathed about the swelling Of ocean’s mighty flood, He wrought by weight and measure; And Thou wast with Him then: Thyself the Father’s pleasure, And Thine, the sons of men. And could’st Thou be delighted With creatures such as we, Who, when we saw Thee, slighted And nailed Thee to a tree? Unfathomable wonder? And mystery divine? The voice that speaks in thunder Says, “Sinner, I am thine!” 8:32-36 This final paragraph sets forth the eternal issues involved in man’s response to Wisdom’s call. It pronounces a blessing on those who listen to her instruction, walking in her ways. It promises happiness to those who wait daily at her gates, who keep faithful vigil at her doors. It holds out life and divine favor to those who find her, but personal loss and death to those who miss her. Apply these last two verses to Christ. Whoever finds Him receives eternal life and stands in full favor with God (see Joh_8:51; Joh_17:3; Eph_1:6; 1Jo_5:12). But those who miss Him injure themselves, and those who hate Him love death (cf. Joh_3:36 b).