Wisdom Personified

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 (Proverbs 8:1). However, in the passage referring to creation (Proverbs 8:22-31), wisdom takes on a much stronger identity. Wisdom was “set up from everlasting, from the beginning” (Proverbs 8:23). Wisdom was by the Lord, “as one brought up with him” (Proverbs 8:30) and was “daily his delight, rejoicing always before him” (Proverbs 8:30). 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 17:5, 24-26). Also, in 1 Corinthians 1:24, Christ is called “the wisdom of God.” Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God in this chapter of Proverbs.

1. THE CRY OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:1-11)
1. A Public Cry (Proverbs 8:1-3)
1. The action of wisdom (Proverbs 8:1)
1. It cries out
2. It puts forth its voice
2. The locations of wisdom (Proverbs 8:2-3)
1. In the top of the high places (Proverbs 8:2)
2. In the places of the paths (Proverbs 8:2)
3. At the gates of the city (Proverbs 8:3)
2. A Personal Cry (Proverbs 8:4-5)
1. Unto men (Proverbs 8:4)
2. Unto the sons of men (Proverbs 8:4)
3. Unto the simple (Proverbs 8:5)
4. Unto the foolish (Proverbs 8:5)
3. A Profitable Cry (Proverbs 8:6-9; compare Philippians 4:8)
1. Of excellent things (Proverbs 8:6)
2. Of right things (Proverbs 8:6)
3. Of true things (Proverbs 8:7)
4. Of righteous things (Proverbs 8:8)
5. Of plain things (Proverbs 8:9)
4. A Precious Cry (Proverbs 8:10-11)
1. Better than silver or gold (Proverbs 8:10)
2. Better than rubies (Proverbs 8:11)
3. Better than all things that may be desired (Proverbs 8:11)
2. THE COUNSEL OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:12-21)
1. The Fear of Wisdoms Counsel (Proverbs 8:12-14)
1. The prudence of wisdom (Proverbs 8:12)
2. The hatred of wisdom (Proverbs 8:13)
1. Evil
2. Pride
3. Arrogance
4. The evil way
5. The forward mouth [willfully stubborn; uncontrollable]
3. The strength of wisdom (Proverbs 8:14)
1. The strength of counsel
2. The strength of sound wisdom
3. The strength of understanding
2. The Force of Wisdoms Counsel (Proverbs 8:15-16)
1. Enabling kings to reign (Proverbs 8:15)
2. Enabling princes to decree justice (Proverbs 8:15)
3. Enabling princes, nobles, and judges to rule (Proverbs 8:16)
3. The Fruit of Wisdoms Counsel (Proverbs 8:17-21)
1. The fruit of return (Proverbs 8:17)
1. Wisdom loves those who love it
2. Wisdom is found of those who seek it
2. The fruit of riches (Proverbs 8:18-19)
1. Riches that are durable (Proverbs 8:18; Matthew 6:19-20)
2. Riches that are superior (Proverbs 8:19)
3. The fruit of righteousness (Proverbs 8:20-21)
1. Leading in the way of righteousness (Proverbs 8:20)
2. Receiving the rewards of righteousness (Proverbs 8:21)
3. THE COMPANION OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:22-31)
1. From the Beginning (Proverbs 8:22-26)
1. Possessed by the LORD (Proverbs 8:22; see John 8:42; John 16:28)
1. In the beginning of His way
2. Before His works of old
2. Set up by the LORD (Proverbs 8:23)
1. From everlasting (Micah 5:2)
2. From the beginning or ever the earth was (John 1:1-2)
3. Preexisting all creation (Proverbs 8:24-26)
1. Before the depths and the fountains (Proverbs 8:24)
2. Before the mountains and hills (Proverbs 8:25)
3. Before the earth, fields, or dust (Proverbs 8:26)
2. As One Brought Up With Him (Proverbs 8:27-31)
1. Gods companion in creation (Proverbs 8:27-29)
1. When He prepared the heavens (Proverbs 8:27)
2. When He set a compass on the deep (Proverbs 8:27; Isaiah 40:22)
3. When He established the clouds above (Proverbs 8:28)
4. When He strengthened the fountains of the deep (Proverbs 8:28)
5. When He gave the sea His decree (Proverbs 8:29; Job 38:8-11; Psalm 104:9; Jeremiah 5:22)
6. When He appointed the foundations of the earth (Proverbs 8:29)
2. Gods companion in relation (Proverbs 8:30-31)
1. Communion (Proverbs 8:30)
1. By Him
2. As one brought up with Him
2. Delight (Proverbs 8:30)
1. Daily His delight
2. Rejoicing always before Him
3. Purpose (Proverbs 8:31)
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)
4. THE COMFORT OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:32-36)
1. The Comfort of Wisdoms Blessing (Proverbs 8:32-34)
1. To those who keep the ways of wisdom (Proverbs 8:32)
2. To those who hear instruction (Proverbs 8:33)
3. To those who wait daily at the gates of wisdom (Proverbs 8:34)
2. The Comfort of Wisdoms Bounty (Proverbs 8:35-36)