Pro 8:12-21 Wisdom is bold about who she is.
It’s not boldness in the sense of brashness, but boldness in the sense of confidence. She knows who she is. She knows what she brings to the table, and she is unapologetic about it.
She can give you what you need to think.
(12) I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
“Prudence” is the same kind of subtlety attributed to the serpent in the Garden, but put to good use. God has gifted man with many talents, abilities, and desires that in and of themselves are neutral. It is up to us to decide how to use them. Wisdom will help us to guide our God-given gifts in the right direction.
When Wisdom talks about “finding out knowledge of witty inventions,” compare this to Proverbs 1:4 – “To give [subtlety] to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” Wisdom gives discernment and understanding, and when this proverb mentions “witty inventions,” it’s better to understand that as “counsels.” In other words, all you really need to know about life and how to live it can be found in God’s Word.
In my own experience I have found that all I really need to know in any crisis is what to think. And by that I mean, how to understand my circumstances from God’s point of view, and what I need to understand about God in the midst of that circumstance. God’s Word gives you what you need to think.
Wisdom will help you sort out your priorities
(13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
(14) Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
There are things God loves and there are things God hates. Keep those in the right order and you’ll always be on the right path. Sadly, being on the right path does not always look or feel right because the whole world is upside down compared to God. Consider Moses. He determined to follow after God’s way and practically in his first week on the new job his own people were against him! (Exodus 5) And it was like that for him for most of the rest of his career! But you know what he did every time he was met with a crisis? He prayed. Why? Because he was seeking God’s face to find out what to do. He searched for wisdom.
Wisdom has an impressive résumé.
(15) By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
(16) By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
(17) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Verses 15-17 are Wisdom’s résumé. Kings and princes have regained successfully thanks to her. You want to keep company with men like Moses? You keep company with wisdom and you will not stand before mean men (lowlifes). (Proverbs 22:29)
Wisdom is a very picky and very jealous lover.
(17) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
She can afford to be picky and jealous because she maintains a high personal standard. She has no patience for fools, or people with divided allegiances. Either you decide to love wisdom and follow after her, or you don’t. There is no middle ground.
When do you start? You start early. “Those that seek me early shall find me.” This doesn’t necessarily mean early in the day, although that’s always a good thing. It means early in life. It also means as the top priority of your life. It means sacrifice. It means putting off things that everyone else is doing so that you can follow after Wisdom. It even means giving up the good in order to go after what is better. It is a hard life, but it is a life that pays huge dividends.
Wisdom offers a huge payout
(18) Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
(19) My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
(20) I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
(21) That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
What is truly amazing here is the brazenness of her words. She is not saying: “See me as though I am better than silver or gold.” And she is not saying: “Imagine that I am better than riches.” She is declaring I am better than all these things!
What did Christ say?
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
All the wealth you can attain in this life is nothing but vanity when compared to a life lived for God. The rewards you get for living for this world are temporary. You cannot take them with you. But the rewards you get for following after God are eternal because He is eternal. The only way to see that is with the eye of faith. It’s hard, I know, because the world can appear to be so full of promise. But the only promises that are of any real worth are those found at the hand of God.
Question: God’s wisdom is confidence. Where is yours?
Grace in Waves 