Proverbs 8

READ CHAPTER 8 OF PROVERBS ON YOUR OWN,

OR FOLLOW THE LINK HERETO READ IT ONLINE!

 

PASSAGE TO MEMORIZE THIS WEEK: 

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

PROVERBS 6:16-19 

 

 

Proverbs 8: The Nature of Wisdom.

Proverbs 8 speaks of the nature of wisdom.  Being a homeschooling mother, the first thing I think of when I hear the word “wisdom” is the mental development of my children.  Is there a better place to look to than the Bible when it comes to instruction on the mental development of the ones who look to us for answers? Or for our mental development as well? No.  I have this wonderful book titled The Dictionary Of Bible And Religion.  In it, wisdom is defined as: a search for the ideal way to think and live, with guidelines granted to humankind both from the wisdom of God and from the individual’s own powers of intellect.

Please follow along with me today as I summarize “Wisdom” through Proverbs 8.  I have put the verse numbers beside my summaries so that you can read them on your own.

(1-5) Wisdom cries out to everyone.

(6-8) Wisdom wants you to hear all things excellent and good, all things of truth and righteousness.

(9-11) Wisdom is better than rubies, silver, or gold.  All the desires of the world do not compare to Wisdom.

(12-13) Wisdom is not full of pride or any evil way.

(14-16) Wisdom is understanding and strength.  Wisdom offers sound counsel to kings and princes.

*(17) Wisdom loves those who love, and those who seek Wisdom shall find Wisdom.

(18-21) Durable riches are found with Wisdom.

(22-31) Wisdom was set from the beginning, before the earth ever was.  Wisdom is revered by God.

(32-34) Blessed are those who hear Wisdom without refusal, keep to Wisdom’s ways, and constantly seek Wisdom.

(35-36) For those who find Wisdom find life, but those who hate Wisdom sin against their own soul.

 

If you didn’t notice, I placed a star beside verse 17.  While reading this verse I was struck with the similarity of these words to those Jesus spoke in John 14:21. So I am going to take the summaries above and replace every “Wisdom” with the beautiful name of “Jesus”. 

 

●Jesus cries out to everyone.

●Jesus wants you to hear all things excellent and good, all things of truth and righteousness.

●Jesus is better than rubies, silver, or gold.  All the desires of the world do not compare to Jesus.

●Jesus is not full of pride or any evil way.

●Jesus is understanding and strength.  Jesus offers sound counsel to kings and princes.

●Jesus loves those who love, and those who seek Jesus shall find Jesus.

●Durable riches are found with Jesus.

●Jesus was set from the beginning, before the earth ever was.  Jesus is revered by God.

●Blessed are those who hear Jesus without refusal, keep to Jesus’s ways, and constantly seek Jesus.

●For those who find Jesus find life, but those who hate Jesus sin against their own soul.

In every moment in life when we ask “Why?”, “How?”, “What?”, “When?”, or “Who?”, we are seeking an answer, we are seeking wisdom.  Whether our question has to do with schoolwork, sickness, heartache, or red Kool-Aid spilled on the carpet, we should first look to Jesus.  He has all the answers.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JESSICA HONC is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children.  She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op.  Jessica has also served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship such as librarian and children's teacher.