Morning at a plain stone town gate, a road running in from the fields, a few townspeople passing, the sky above calm and clear.

Wisdom calls

Proverbs 8

Everything is calling for your attention today. One voice was there before the world began.

36 verses≈ 4 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–7The father's talksWhy the book exists, then a father to his son
8–9Wisdom callsHer house and Folly'sChapter 8
10–22:16Solomon's sayingsTwo lines at a time
22:17–24The sayings of the wiseThirty sayings, and a few more
25–29Hezekiah's collectionMore of Solomon, copied out later
30AgurNumbered sayings from a weary man
31LemuelA mother's words, and the noble wife

The Excellence of Wisdom

Does not wisdom call out,

and understanding raise her voice?

On the heights overlooking the road,

at the crossroads she takes her stand.

Beside the gates to the city,

at the entrances she cries out:

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Wisdom

O simple ones, learn to be shrewd;

O fools, gain understanding.

Listen, for I speak of noble things,

and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

Wisdom

For my mouth will speak the truth,

and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

All the words of my mouth are righteous;

none are crooked or perverse.

They are all plain to the discerning,

and upright to those who find knowledge.

Wisdom

Wisdom

Receive my instruction instead of silver,

and knowledge rather than pure gold.

For wisdom is more precious than rubies,

and nothing you desire compares with her.

Reflect

What would you trade?

Wisdom tells us to take her “instead of silver.” Be honest: what would you trade to be wise, and what would you hold on to?

Wisdom

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence,

and I find knowledge and discretion.

To fear the LORD is to hate evil;

I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Wisdom

Wisdom

Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

I have insight and strength.

By me kings reign,

and rulers enact just laws;

By me princes rule,

and all nobles who govern justly.

Wisdom

A basket of ripe figs and heads of barley on a low table, a small heap of plain gold rings beside them.

With me are riches and honor,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold, pure gold,

and my harvest surpasses choice silver.

Wisdom

I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

bestowing wealth on those who love me

and making their treasuries full.

Question

Quick question

Wisdom defines one of the book’s biggest words in a single line.

What does Wisdom say fearing the LORD means (8:13)?

Wisdom

The LORD created me as His first course,

before His works of old.

From everlasting I was established,

from the beginning, before the earth began.

Wisdom

Open sea from a low headland, the horizon dead level across the frame, a line of foam stopped along the rock below, clouds high above.

I was there when He established the heavens,

when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

when He established the clouds above,

when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,

when He set a boundary for the sea,

so that the waters would not surpass His command,

when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

0:18

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Wisdom

From a hill, a harvest afternoon at a village threshing floor: families at work and rest, children running, smoke rising, everyone small and glad.

Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side,

and His delight day by day,

rejoicing always in His presence.

I was rejoicing in His whole world,

delighting together in the sons of men.

Wisdom

Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,

for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Listen to instruction and be wise;

do not ignore it.

Wisdom

Wisdom

Blessed is the man who listens to me,

watching daily at my doors,

waiting at the posts of my doorway.

Wisdom

For whoever finds me finds life

and obtains the favor of the LORD.

Proverbs 8:35

Wisdom

But he who fails to find me harms himself;

all who hate me love death.”

Pray

Thanks for the wisdom of God

Thank God for His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God and in whom we find life. Ask for a heart that listens, and that keeps coming back to His door day by day.

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Proverbs 8

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A verse to carry with you

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.

Proverbs 8:35

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