Series in Proverbs - Wisdom Is Calling, Will You Accept Her?

 

Wisdom Is Calling, Will You Accept Her?

Proverbs 8:1-21 NLT

The principle thread and theme of this proverb is wisdom. Solomon personified wisdom as Lady Wisdom, in contrast to the Lady of the night. Lady Wisdom guides us in the ways of God and in the fear of God. So let’s look at the first portion of the scripture. “Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.”

She is the lady of wisdom, in contrast to the lady of the night. God’s wisdom beseeches and enjoins all who will fear God to respond to Wisdom’s call! She “‘...raises her voice!’ ‘…takes her stand.’ ‘…calls out’”  For She gives understanding and knowledge. “Hear as understanding raises her voice!” She, Wisdom, urges everyone in all places to hear and listen, receive and gain, for She desires to guide all in truth. “Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth.” 

Wisdom’s advice is wholesome, sound, and good judgment. And the amazing aspect is that it is accessible to any who choose to fear God and She is of greater value than the finest riches of this world. “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.”

Application - There are so many voices out in the world screaming, bantering, pleading, conjuring, alluring, and an amalgamous amount of other views, opinions, ideas, and concepts. But how many are listening to God’s wisdom, to eternal truth? God’s wisdom can’t be found on many internet sites, or in most bookstores, and not even in some churches today. The voice of God is found in the Word of God, and He is calling out and raising His voice, to “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matt. 11:15 NIV) and “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:11 NIV) And this comes only from the triune God of the Universe.

The world is filled with simple people, naive, stubborn, foolish, and those who have not heard of God because the enemy of God has stolen the words and tried to still the voice of the ones crying out for God. “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes…When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart.” “The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

(Matt.11:15a,19; 20:31 NIV) 

For those who have ears to hear, Wisdom only comes through the source of Truth, God. It gives understanding, and instruction in sound teachings, doctrines, in wholesome advice, and insight for gaining knowledge of God and from God. Again, the treasures of God aren’t found in the materialistic or philosophical, but in the divine Word and the spiritual riches of Heaven “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(Col. 2:2-3 NIV)

There is nothing of the riches of this world that can compare in value to the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God in Christ Jesus the Lord.

Next, Lady Wisdom faithfully directs us to success. If there is one element to being successful for God it is in the fear of the Lord. So let’s read the last portion of the text. “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments. “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.
My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.” 

Solomon understood when he asked God for wisdom, it was the only thing that would enable him to be faithful and successful in his kingship, as well as in life.  

Solomon’s personification of wisdom gives us a personal view as Wisdom is our personal guide and confidant. Wisdom represents a list of godly qualities needed in life. 

First, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7 KJV) Second, through Wisdom, the discovery of ‘knowledge and insight.’ “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.” (Prov. 2:2-3 NLT) 

Third, the Hebrew word for prudence or discretion is Ormah. Otherwise good sound judgement. ‘Ormah’ is used here in proverbs in a positive sense, referring to a wise and shrewd approach to life, sound judgement, a quality that helps someone navigate challenges and make wise and successful decisions.

Fourth, Solomon also applies the obtaining and using of wisdom to insight and strength from God. He expounds on the necessity of wisdom to guide a kingdom. To prudently rule a people, one must hate what God hates, “pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.” These are wisdom’s qualities: common sense, insight, just laws and decrees, and righteous judgments.

Last, Solomon gives Lady Wisdom the sense of internal feelings and emotions. “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.” 

All who earnestly seek Wisdom and internally apply it to their lives, also understand God. As Solomon stated in previous proverbs, the wealth of God is not in material possessions or elements, but in the obtaining wisdom, love, and the treasures of spiritual gifts: walking in righteousness, in justice, and the gifts of divine power and strength through the fear of the Lord.

Application - If there is one thing I need in this life, it is godly wisdom, and I believe that I’m not alone in this. I must walk in wisdom, understanding, discernment, insight (knowledge) and instruction (WUDII). And all of this begins with the fear of the Lord. As I shared in Proverbs six, God hates sin in all its substance and form: pride, arrogance (haughtiness), corruption (Lying and discord), and perversity in body and speech.

When it comes to the authority of rulers, administrators, and elected folk, we are to choose those who will humble themselves, seek God’s wisdom, and search and apply common sense to their decrees, laws, and statutes.

Again if we truly desire the wisdom of God, He will also open to us His treasure throve in heaven and pour out on us (give us) and abundance in both spiritual wisdom and earthly wealth.

As always, I want to conclude by presenting the gospel in the form of the basic principles of salvation for all those who have not yet received Jesus Christ. For Jesus, God the Son, came into this world to save all who believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you; he is the light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. He will answer you if you truly believe. If you haven't yet asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

First, A: Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a just God, and a change of heart takes place: we change our minds, and God changes our hearts and regenerates us inside and out. Romans 3:10: As it is written, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners, so we must be born spiritually to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.) Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death; in other words, our sin means we have been sentenced to death—we have the death penalty hanging over our heads; that’s the bad news. But here’s the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, lest anyone should boast. Secondly,

B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised him from the dead. This is trusting with all your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Third,

C - Invoke the name of the Lord. Every person whom sea Those who have lived since Adam will kneel andwill confesswith his mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, Lord of lords and King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess to God.” Don’t wait, do it now. Romans 10:13 - For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” “O God, I am a sinner. I repent of my sin. I want to turn away from it. I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son; I believe that he died on the cross for my sins, that he was buried, and that you raised him from the dead. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting in his shed blood alone as sufficient to save my soul and take me to heaven. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.”

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please visithttp://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

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