THE VOICE OF WISDOM
PROVERBS 8:32-36 NKJV
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."
This is such a unique chapter in the book of Proverbs. Typically, the Proverbs are stand-alone nuggets that can cover many topics in one chapter. But Proverbs 8 is themed around one topic, God's wisdom. And what also makes this chapter unique is that God's wisdom is personified and is doing the talking. This chapter is the voice of wisdom speaking to us.
To get the most out of our verses for today, read the entire chapter. It really is fascinating.
As the chapter concludes, wisdom is talking to us and giving some final instructions.
Listen to wisdom because blessed are those who keep the ways of wisdom. Wisdom cannot be separated from God's word. God's word is God's wisdom. James would later write that those who practiced God's word were the ones who were blessed.
Hear wisdom and be wise about it and do not neglect or refuse it. Because the blessed are those who hear God's wisdom on a daily basis. There is a sincere desire, a hunger to hear God's wisdom and put it into practice. Because those who find God's wisdom find spiritual life. And they walk in God's favor.
But walking away from God's wisdom is doing wrong to yourself. And you do not want to be one who hates God's wisdom.
These verses are an application of God's wisdom. Verses 1-31 give us the history and value of wisdom. God's wisdom is timeless. God's wisdom is better than money. God's wisdom is strength.
The message of this eighth chapter of Proverbs is that if you are going to pursue anything, pursue God's wisdom and ways.
Of course, pursuing God's wisdom involves a relationship with God and Jesus. Colossians 2:3 says, in whom, God and the Lord Jesus, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
PRAYER:
Dear Father, there is no greater wisdom than Your wisdom. Help me to hear and apply Your wisdom to my life.