We have access to a wealth of information at out fingertips. We can Google how to do something we’ve never done before. We can listen to an endless variety of podcasts, radio programs, and news shows on television. We can look to social media for stories and opinions. There are books that we can read. It is overwhelming at times. How can we know for sure what is true and right and good?
Thankfully, God has not left us on our own to figure out how to live. In the book of Proverbs, we learn eternal truths that can help us to see the value of choosing God’s narrow path, over the world’s wide path. (See Matt. 7:13-14.) His path is marked by wisdom, righteousness, life, and peace.
I listened to an audio Bible reading of Proverbs 8 on the way to work last week. This is an amazing passage of Scripture that personifies wisdom. The focus of these powerful words was to highlight the value of God’s wisdom. It is one of His many unchangeable attributes that He has graciously revealed to us through the ages and through the pages of His holy Word. Let me share several observations of this chapter in the hope that some will choose to take the right fork in the road.
Before I expand on what I heard regarding our need for wisdom, it’s value and source, let me back up a bit and unpack some of the context of this book that will prepare us to understand chapter 8.
A little bit of context
The overarching purpose of this book is found in the first section (Prov. 1:1-7). Solomon wants his son to attain wisdom, discipline, understanding, and discretion, among other things. He concludes that the key to getting knowledge that leads to wisdom is a relationship with Yahweh (verse 7).
When you begin to read Prov. 8:1, you may notice a common literary device called personification, where non-living things are described as having human qualities for the sake of comparison. The writer declares, “Does not wisdom call out?” This harkens back to Prov. 1:20-21, where the same device is used, “Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares.”
When you look ahead to the NT, the Apostle Paul, like Solomon, contrasted the wise (those who fear the Lord, who are being saved) with those who are perishing (those who have rejected God). (See 1 Cor. 1:18-25.) Human wisdom will always fall short of God’s. Man’s wisdom is limited; God’s wisdom is limitless. Man’s wisdom changes with whichever view is popular; God’s wisdom remains the same. Man’s wisdom will end when Jesus returns. God’s wisdom will last for eternity.
The need for wisdom
Let me jump back into Proverbs 8 and make just a few observations regarding the need for wisdom.
In verse 1, we see that wisdom calls out. She raises her voice. (Note: It is interesting that wisdom is personified by a female, which might grab the attention of Solomon’s young son and males today.)
Why does wisdom have to call out and why does she do so “on the heights”, “where the paths meet”, and “beside the gates leading into the city”? (Prov. 8:2-3). Wisdom shouts where our pride makes us feel like we are on top of the world, at the crossroads where major life-changing decisions are made, and in the places where the world is at its worst. God, in His love and mercy continually and graciously reveals Himself to us and makes His presence known at our point of greatest need.
Reading on, we see that God, once again in His mercy and grace, offers “all mankind” a chance to choose His wisdom, His way, His path (verse 4). He does this because He knows that all need this wisdom in order to experience the abundant life that He promises and provides to His followers. God’s wise words that come out of His love for those He created in His image will save people from making costly mistakes they will regret later. His wisdom is right and true (verses 6-7).
The value of wisdom
Wisdom is also needed because it is ultimately more valuable than what the world can provide.
In contrast to the world’s ways that are crooked and perverse, God’s ways are just (verse 8). As valuable and necessary as silver and gold might be, Solomon wants us to know that it is far better for us in the long run to choose to listen to His words (verse 10). The wisdom He offers is worth more than all kinds of material wealth; nothing on earth can possibly compare to it (verse 11).
In a parallel passage in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His followers not to worry about money. For those who seek Him first, God will provide everything they need (Matt. 6:25-33.)
The source of wisdom
There are several verses in the last portion of the chapter that stress that this wisdom is from God.
Wisdom is one of God’s unchanging and perfect attributes. It stands apart from all others, because this one He willingly shares with all who seek Him (verse 17). This corresponds with James 1:5.
We see that this inherent quality of God was put to good use when He created the world. It says that the Lord brought wisdom forth at the beginning of his work (2nd NIV footnote for verse 22). God’s wisdom existed “from eternity [past], from the beginning, before the world began” (verse 23).
Solomon next describes where God used His divine wisdom to create everything that we can see.
As I listened to the description listed in Prov. 8:24-31, I could not help but think about the many different subjects that are studied in school, such as oceanography (v. 24), geography (vv. 25-26), astronomy (v. 27), and meteorology (v. 28). Like a craftsman who possesses expert skill to build something worthwhile using a variety of materials, God used His wisdom to create everything in this world to make it fit together in order to provide what humans with what they needed to survive.
Solomon concludes this chapter by exhorting his readers to listen to the God who is the source of all wisdom by diligently keeping His ways, humbly listening to His instruction, and eagerly watching for it daily (vv. 32-34.) For those who obtain this wisdom will find life and receive God’s favor.
Choosing wisely
What I want to accomplish here more than anything is to put the spotlight on God. I want those who are struggling and suffering in this world to look to Him and His Word for truth that will set them free, rather than seeking it from a worldview that is so prevalent but will always come up empty.
We will not find hope in politics. Men and women in office will always be flawed and unreliable. We will not find peace in entertainment, social media, arts, sports, education, work, or even family if we neglect the God who made everything for our good. God’s path is the only path that will give us the hope and peace the world cannot give. The only way to get on that path is through the gospel message of love that is found in Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
My earnest desire is that my brothers and sisters who have been saved but have been drawn in and trapped by the world’s useless and evil value system (1 John 2:15-17) will take a few minutes to assess where they are going most frequently each day to discover what is true. If you are drowning in negativity by what you hear and see in the world, you might need to get back to the source of all wisdom. If God is in control and holds the keys to truth, joy, love, hope, and peace, then go there.
Russell E. Gehrlein holds a B.S from Colorado State University and an M.A. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He is the author of Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work. As a retired Master Sergeant, he continues to serve the U.S. Army in a civilian capacity. He and his wife of 43 years live in Missouri and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. To read more of his work please visit Reflections on Theological Topics of Interest.
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Yes, Romans 8:6-8 says;…….” For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”