Wisdom's Call
Proverbs 8:1-36
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- Rank order these "pillars of trust" according to your experience of them: (a) Political candidates? (b) MDs? (c) Police officers? (d) Doomsday prophets? (e) News editors? (f) TV evangelists?
#People = Wisdom (Personified), God (Creator), Readers or Seekers of Wisdom
#Time =
#Place = High places along the way, At the crossroads, The entrances of the city gates, The beginning of God's creation
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
The Blessings of Wisdom
8 Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right,
7 for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with
her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the Lord is hatred
of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
14 I have counsel and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly.
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine
gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 “The Lord possessed me
at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of old.
23 Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought
forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him,
like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.
32 “And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.”
(PROVERBS 8)
Wisdom proclaims her worth,
availability, and accomplishments.
I. Wisdom’s
Entreaty (Proverbs 8:1–21, 32–36): Wisdom
calls from the hilltops and crossroads, telling all who will listen about the
importance of accepting her words. Her words are:
A. Valid (Pro 8:1–9)
1. “Let me give you common sense”
(8:1–5).
2. “Everything I say is right” (8:6).
3. “I speak the truth and hate every kind of
deception” (8:7).
4. “My advice is wholesome and good”
(8:8).
5. “My words are plain to anyone with understanding”
(8:9).
B. Valuable (Pro 8:10–11, 18–21): Wisdom is more precious than silver, gold, or rubies.
C. Vital (Pro 8:12–17): All earth’s rulers need wisdom to lead and judge wisely.
D. Vibrant (Pro 8:32–36)
1. They bring abundant life (8:32–35).
2. They bring about God’s approval
(8:35–36): But those who miss wisdom injure themselves and love death.
II. Wisdom’s Eternality (Pro 8:22–31): Many believe that Jesus himself is referred to in these verses.
A. Wisdom creates with God in eternity past (Pro 8:22–29): Wisdom is with God during Creation.
B. Wisdom is God’s companion from eternity past (Pro 8:30–31): Wisdom is God’s constant delight
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- As you listen to "Wisdom" call out, what does she sound like: (a) Talk show host? (b) Football coach? (c) TV evangelist? (d) Kindly grandma? (e) Barker at a carnival? (f) Other?
- "Parallelism" is where the second line of a couplet repeats, enhances, or contrasts with the first, in order to enrich the idea. What examples of each form do you find in this passage? Is this poetry confusing, or convincing, for you? Why? Is this poetic way of speaking simply a quaint oriental custom to you? Or do you see God's purpose in it? What purpose is that?
- With what is wisdom equated or likened? How many different comparisons can you find here?
- From verses Proverbs 8:12-21, what results from finding wisdom? Which fruit of wisdom do you most want?
- Verses Proverbs 8:22-31 are a hymn personifying wisdom as an attribute of God, active in creation (see Proverbs 1:20-33; 3:15-18; 9:1-12). Later, biblical writers used this as a background for portraying Christ as the Word of God (see John 1:1-3) and the wisdom of God (see 1 Corinthians 1:24,30; Colossians 2:3). What connection do you see between this hymn to wisdom and hymns you sing about Christ (on whom all wisdom is focused)?
- Verses Proverbs 8:32-36 drive home the appeal of wisdom with the ultimate sanctions of life and death. It's as if the Lord Jesus himself were talking. How might these be considered a promise of the Savior?
- "Listen, for I have worthy things to say" -- how many times have you heard that line before? From whom? Was it worthy it? How did you discern that for sure? In this Scripture, "Wisdom" begs you to listen: Are you? Why or why not? What first grabs your attention? What keeps you listening for more?
- Would wisdom make your list of "Ten Most Precious Things in the World"? Why? Solomon says wisdom is "more precious than rubies": Is jewelry, money or possessions on your "Top Ten" list? What, if anything, could buy wisdom? On the other hand, what could wisdom buy?
- lf "Christ" could be substituted for "wisdom" in this chapter, how would that affect your view or application of its main points? For example, what then would be the meaning of "finds life" (v. 35)? How can you find "wisdom" or "life" without Christ?
- How is your personal search for wisdom progressing? Wisdom intended for all mankind includes your group, as well. Ask them for help.
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Extra Proverbs on Topic
#WisdomsCall
- Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
- Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
- Proverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her [Wisdom] as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
- Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
- 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.
- Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
- Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
- Proverbs 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
- Proverbs 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
- Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
- Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
- Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.
- Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
- Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
- Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.
- Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
- Proverbs 24:21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: 22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
- Proverbs 31:30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
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