Proverbs Devotion - Day 8

Wisdom is personified as a woman throughout Proverbs. (Wisdom is a feminine noun in Hebrew, hence the presentation as female.) In chapter 8, Solomon is presenting Wisdom to his son and describing all of her admirable and desirable qualities. As opposed to the adulteress woman and perverse men that have already been introduced, Solomon now shines a spotlight on Wisdom to show his son (and us) just why we should all pursue Wisdom instead. 

Pulling from the text, we see various attributes. Wisdom speaks only truth. Wisdom provides sound counsel, insight, and discretion. Wisdom also despises injustice. Wisdom provides righteousness and an inheritance. Wisdom existed before Creation, assisted with Creation, and engaged with Creation. Most of all, wisdom was the Lord’s daily delight and joy always. Blessed is the now ho listens and follows Wisdom. 

It would be possible to go through all of this chapter and discuss how Wisdom is shown through them. But what we have already established through this study together is that Wisdom is not information but rather a Person. So when you read this chapter, we have Lady Wisdom on display, but it isn’t some abstract, intangible ideal but rather our gaze and hearts should turn to a one, true, singular Person being described. All the way back, in chapter 8 of the book of Proverbs, Solomon was inspired to write, hundreds of years before the incarnation, an amazing description of Jesus Christ. 

Who else could say: “For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD (verse 35)?” True life only comes from trusting and surrendering one’s life to Christ. But for those who reject him, he says: “but he who fails to find me injuries himself, all who hate me love death (verse 36).” In John 5:24, Jesus says: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

If you need to stop and read the chapter again, do that now. This chapter is exhorting us: seek Wisdom. But who is the true personification of Wisdom that is being described? It can only be Jesus. Wisdom is Jesus and Jesus is wisdom. If you desire a life that is wise, it begins with seeking the Wise Son and here he is! You won’t understand the world or even life apart from going to him. That’s God’s overall message to us is: look at who Jesus is. His glory and majesty are on full display, from Genesis to Revelation. Seek him! Worship him! Follow him! You cannot be truly wise or receive true life apart from him. Choose Jesus over anyone and anything else to receive and live a truly blessed life.