Wisdom Personified

 Proverbs 8:1-36

INTRODUCTION:  Solomon often gives wisdom a personality. Wisdom cries in the streets (Proverbs 1:20) and is to be treated as a sister (Proverbs 7:4). Wisdom even builds a house (Proverbs 9:1). But Proverbs, chapter eight, takes this practice to a much higher level. The entire chapter speaks of wisdom as a person. Wisdom cries out as before (v.1). However, in the passage referring to creation (v.22-31), wisdom takes on a much stronger identity. Wisdom was “set up from everlasting, from the beginning” (v.23). Wisdom was by the Lord, “as one brought up with him” (v. 30) and was “daily his delight, rejoicing always before him” (v.30). These statements compare with the part the Word [Jesus Christ] had in creation as described in John 1:1-3 and the relationship Christ had to the Father as spoken of in His prayer in John 17 (v.5, 24-26). Also, in 1Corinthians 1:24, Christ is called “the wisdom of God.” Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God in this chapter of Proverbs.

I.                    THE CRY OF WISDOM (8:1-11)

A.     A Public Cry (8:1-3)

1.      The action of wisdom (v.1)

a.      It cries out

b.      It puts forth its voice

2.      The locations of wisdom (v.2-3)

a.      In the top of the high places (v.2)

b.      In the places of the paths (v.2)

c.      At the gates of the city (v.3)

B.     A Personal Cry (8:4-5)

1.      Unto men (v.4)

2.      Unto the sons of men (v.4)

3.      Unto the simple (v.5)

4.      Unto the foolish (v.5)

C.     A Profitable Cry (8:6-9; compare Philippians 4:8)

1.      Of excellent things (v.6)

2.      Of right things (v.6)

3.      Of true things (v.7)

4.      Of righteous things (v.8)

5.      Of plain things (v.9)

D.     A Precious Cry (8:10-11)

1.      Better than silver or gold (v.10)

2.      Better than rubies (v.11)

3.      Better than all things that may be desired (v.11)

II.                 THE COUNSEL OF WISDOM (8:12-21)

A.     The Fear of Wisdom’s Counsel (8:12-14)

1.      The prudence of wisdom (v.12)

2.      The hatred of wisdom (v.13)

a.      Evil

b.      Pride

c.      Arrogance

d.      The evil way

e.      The forward mouth [willfully stubborn; uncontrollable]

3.      The strength of wisdom (v.14)

a.      The strength of counsel

b.      The strength of sound wisdom

c.      The strength of understanding

B.     The Force of Wisdom’s Counsel (8:15-16)

1.      Enabling kings to reign (v.15)

2.      Enabling princes to decree justice (v.15)

3.      Enabling princes, nobles, and judges to rule (v.16)

C.     The Fruit of Wisdom’s Counsel (8:17-21)

1.      The fruit of return (v.17)

a.      Wisdom loves those who love it

b.      Wisdom is found of those who seek it

2.      The fruit of riches (v.18-19)

a.      Riches that are durable (v.18; Matthew 6:19-20)

b.      Riches that are superior (v.19)

3.      The fruit of righteousness (v.20-21)

a.      Leading in the way of righteousness (v.20)

b.      Receiving the rewards of righteousness (v.21)

III.               THE COMPANION OF WISDOM (8:22-31)

A.     From the Beginning (8:22-26)

1.      Possessed by the LORD (v.22; see John 8:42; 16:28)

a.      In the beginning of His way

b.      Before His works of old

2.      Set up by the LORD (v.23)

a.      From everlasting (Micah 5:2)

b.      From the beginning or ever the earth was (John 1:1-2)

3.      Preexisting all creation (v.24-26)

a.      Before the depths and the fountains (v.24)

b.      Before the mountains and hills (v.25)

c.      Before the earth, fields, or dust (v.26)

B.     As One Brought Up With Him (8:27-31)

1.      God’s companion in creation (v.27-29)

a.      When He prepared the heavens (v.27)

b.      When He set a compass on the deep (v.27; Isaiah 40:22)

c.      When He established the clouds above (v.28)

d.      When He strengthened the fountains of the deep (v.28)

e.      When He gave the sea His decree (v.29; Job 38:8-11; Psalm 104:9; Jeremiah 5:22)

f.        When He appointed the foundations of the earth (v.29)

2.      God’s companion in relation (v.30-31)

a.      Communion (v.30)

(1)   By Him

(2)   As one brought up with Him

b.      Delight (v.30)

(1)   Daily His delight

(2)   Rejoicing always before Him

c.      Purpose (v.31)

(1)   Focusing on the habitable part of the earth

(2)   Finding delight with the sons of men

(3)   The earth was made for man; not man for the earth (Psalm 115:16)

IV.              THE COMFORT OF WISDOM (8:32-36)

A.     The Comfort of Wisdom’s Blessing (8:32-34)

1.      To those who keep the ways of wisdom (v.32)

2.      To those who hear instruction (v.33)

3.      To those who wait daily at the gates of wisdom (v.34)

B.     The Comfort of Wisdom’s Bounty (8:35-36)