May 25, 2020
The book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings in the Old Testament meant to instill wisdom in God’s people. As we read, it is important to remember that a proverb is a statement which is generally true in principle, not a universally true promise. Let’s dig into the Word together and allow the Lord to shape our hearts, our minds, and our lives in his wisdom over the next month!
Proverbs chapter 8 begins with the personification of wisdom, a stark contrast to the adulteress in chapter 7. The writer of the proverb shows that to live wise is to live well, and to seek wisdom from God rather than the things of this world.
In verse 11 the writer states “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” Ultimately, wisdom is found in Christ Jesus, and never in the things that this world has to offer.
In the next part of Proverbs 8, it speaks of the “fear of the Lord” (v.13) and of “counsel and sound wisdom” (v.14). Ultimately, Wisdom says “I love those who love me, and those that seek me diligently find me.” (v.17) Knowledge is horizontal, but wisdom is vertical…it comes only from the Lord! We need to seek Him and love Him with our whole hearts, and he will guide us.
Verses 22-31 speak of how Wisdom has been there since the beginning, with God, how God formed the earth and established the heavens, but most importantly, how we are His delight. What an awesome picture of our Heavenly Father…the knowledge that the God of all things delights in us, loves us and wants to impart His wisdom to us!
The chapter finishes with the writer reminding us of the blessings that come when we seek God’s wisdom daily. In verse 34, it says “watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.” We must learn to wait on God, and that’s a process! But we might miss out if we are in too much of a hurry, and the blessings that come along with the wisdom that God gives are always worth the wait!
Proverbs 8
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.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
As it says in verse 35, “whoever finds me, finds life”, a promise we see fulfilled in the New Testament, in the person of Jesus Christ!
Family Discussion Question:
- Why do you think that the author tells us that wisdom is better than earthly riches, like jewels or money? What makes having wisdom better than having the good things of this world?
In Proverbs, we read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Today, we read that the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. By these two verses, we can deduce that wisdom is to hate evil or conversely, to hate evil is wise. Evil and wisdom are mutually exclusive.
When we find Christ we have eternal life. When we seek His wisdom we have a meaningful life on earth. Choosing to seek His wisdom is the direction for us to live.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Your Word is so fresh and true every day. I love to hear from You and get instruction for my life. Everything that
You created is perfect and orchestrated to flow beautifully. However sin came and has tried to ruin it. Thankfully, You have made a way through Jesus Christ to save us from sin and restore the world. It is through love and dedication to Your Word that we can conquer sin. You speak only wisdom. All of the gold and silver in the world can’t buy wisdom. That is something that is priceless …a gift from God. I do seek You daily and I find You right beside me. Please forgive me for ever getting depressed and worried when things are not happening the way I think they should. I will listen to Your wisdom which says, “Wait patiently on the Lord”.
For you are the author of my life and only You know how it will end. Thank You for my life and for Your steadfast love. ” I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown .” In Jesus’ Precious and Holy name. Amen.
I give thanks for such beautiful words and truths. I have read this twice today and probably will read it twice more.
I will listen to you, watching and waiting. I will find life and obtain favor from You Lord,
Reading Proverbs has really opened my eyes and my heart. I feel that wisdom is a vital part of our daily lives. That is why we need to seek our wisdom from our lord.
Thank you for the devotionals.
Wisdom is from God. Wisdom pulls me closer to God. Seeking wisdom prepares me to seek God, and understand His revelation. Lord, thank You for dotting all Your i’s and crossing all Your t’s… You have provided for and thought of everything. Thank you for teaching me that I need to seek You, and how to do it! I love you so much ❤❤❤
Lord Jesus thank you for Your gifts of wisdom and understanding. May I always seek Your advise in everything. Thank you for life. Thank you for being the anchor. I praise Your Holy Name. For You are our Creator. I bow before You and say Holy Holy Holy is the Lamb of God. The giver of life. In Your Holy Name I pray Jesus Amen.
Gold, silver, and all the riches on earth are fleeting. But wisdom that comes from the Lord is everlasting.
Father, thank you for giving me eternal life through Your Son Jesus Christ, and thank you for Your Wisdom from your Holy Word that guides me in my walk with you. Help me to seek your will daily and to choose wisdom rather than worldly things. Amen!
Today Father, I will listen for your voice everywhere and in all that I do. When I pause to listen, may others also cease their busyness. Speak through my words and my actions that all my hear and see your righteousness and how your utterly hate evil but how you love those who diligently seek you. You Father, made everything. May I keep your commandments this day and be blessed by you. Amen
Thank you Lord every morning for your wisdom to stay focused to your word and not what is of this world.
On this day as we pay tribute to 1,954,043 soldiers that pay the ultimate price in life of our nation we have the freedom to be able to open our Bible and read it without fear.
“I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,”
May I have that goal for life time.
Amen!
No greater love than to lay one’s life down for a friend.
Gaining wisdom brings joy to our lives.
Dear Lord,
Fill me with Your wisdom, I pray, so I can step where You are asking me to step today. Quiet my wants so I can hear wisdom speak.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Thank you Lord, for your infinite wisdom. We like to think we are so clever, but everything we think we know pales next to your wisdom. Thank you for your Word that guides us on the right path.
As we continue to pray for our leaders, lets always include Godly wisdom be upon them.
Thank you, Lord, for all those who fought for our freedom. Please give their families comfort. Please keep our military safe who continue to fight for our freedom. Help me to seek your wisdom & live for you. In Jesus Name, Amen
Amen!
Wisdom is better than earthly riches because it means that you are trying to live a righteous life. You love the Lord therefore you hate evil. Your main goal is to receive the Fathers inheritance that is freely given to those who love Him, and receive the treasures he has stored up for us. Therefore, if we go to His gates “pray” daily, seek and obey, He will bless us and grant us favor.
Thank you Lord for all those who gave their life fighting for our freedom. Please comfort their families. Thank you for the military who continue to fight for our freedom. Please help me seek your wisdom & live for you. In Jesus Name, Amen
As a season of less hurried life has fallen upon us, help me be still, to listen to your voice Lord, to have a sensitive heart for who you want me to be and what you want me to do. Breath new life into me, that I may be more thoughtful, intentional, careful and bold.
God bless our military!
Protect all those in this country that protect us and pray for their safety. God Bless them.
Yes, I am so thankful for those in the military to unselfishly, protect us in our country so we can have the freedom to worship without any fear of reprisals.