Proverbs 8 … Consider His Voice of Wisdom

Originally posted: 1/01/2021

Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice? (8:1).

We have begun a new year. And what better way to kick off a new year than to consider His Voice of Wisdom.

This chapter sets forth the reality for all of mankind. God has provided His Wisdom wherever it is needed. When we find ourselves at a crossroad, where the paths meet and we must choose which gate to enter, His Voice of Wisdom cries out.

Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?
² On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
³ Beside the gates, at the opening to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
⁴ “To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men…” (8:1-4).

That is such a comforting thought; but still, the choice is left up to us. And because God is so very kind and compassionate and full of grace, He markedly defines the paths for us; that we would be made fully aware of what awaits us before we select which gate to enter.

I couldn’t help but think of the game show, “Let’s Make a Deal.” Contestants were often asked to decide between a known prize and what was hidden behind a door or large gift box. There was a substantial risk involved; should one take the chance for the bigger and better prize or risk being zonked and lose what they already possessed?

But God does not play games with our lives or eternity. There is no guesswork, no trading, and nothing left to chance as He clearly and graciously lays out exactly what we can expect in two possible courses of action. Heed His Voice of Wisdom and we will find life; reject His call, and it is tantamount to loving death.

 “For he who finds me finds life
And obtains favor from the Lord.
³⁶ But he who sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death,” (8:35-36).

Consider His Voice of Wisdom

• His Voice of Wisdom calls to all mankind.
  • Does not wisdom call,
    And understanding lift up her voice? …
    ⁴ “To you, O men, I call,
    And my voice is to the sons of men,” (8:1, 4).

• His Voice of Wisdom speaks noble and right things.
  • “Listen, for I will speak noble things;
    And the opening of my lips will reveal right things,” (8:6).

• His Voice of Wisdom speaks unadulterated truth in righteousness.
  • “For my mouth will utter truth;
    And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
    ⁸ “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness;
    There is nothing crooked or perverted in them,” (8:7-8).

• His Voice of Wisdom is more desirable than earthly treasures.
  • “For wisdom is better than jewels;
    And all desirable things cannot compare with her,” (8:11).

• His Voice of Wisdom teaches us to walk in the fear of the Lord.
  • “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
    And I find knowledge and discretion.
    ¹³ “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
    Pride and arrogance and the evil way
    And the perverted mouth, I hate,” (8:12-13).

• His Voice of Wisdom decrees justice and right judgment.
  • “By me kings reign,
    And rulers decree justice.
    ¹⁶ “By me princes rule, and nobles,
    All who judge rightly,” (8:15-16).

• His Voice of Wisdom is true wealth and enduring treasure.
  • “Riches and honor are with me,
    Enduring wealth and righteousness.
    ¹⁹ “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
    And my yield better than choicest silver,” (8:18-19).

• His Voice of Wisdom is from everlasting to everlasting
  • “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way,
    Before His works of old.
    ²³ “From everlasting I was established,
    From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth,” (8:22-23).

How do we respond to His Voice of Wisdom?

There’s something else that’s very intriguing about the way His Voice of Wisdom is described. In continuing to use the literary device of personification, Solomon attributed Wisdom with the personal characteristics of the master workman rejoicing and delighting in creation.

“When He established the heavens, I was there…
²⁹ When He set for the sea its boundary…
³⁰ Then I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
³¹ Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men,” (8:27-31).

It’s not a far stretch to envision that when we, His creation, listen to and obey His Voice of Wisdom, then we will not only bring Him delight, but we will experience His joy as well. And He has provided everything we need to choose the path of delight, joy, and life.

Let us love His ways and diligently seek His Voice of Wisdom, for He has promised we will find life and truth when we do.

 “I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me,” (8:17).

Let us seek true wealth and the enduring treasure endowed to us by His Voice of Wisdom, that we would walk in the way of righteousness and justice.

 “I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
²¹ To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries,” (8:20-21).

Oh, that we would take to heart His promise: that as we diligently seek Him, we will find Him Who endows us with the overflowing wealth of His blessings, His wisdom, His life, and His favor. Oh, that we would daily learn to heed His instruction and learn to love what He loves as we carefully watch and listen to His Voice of Wisdom.

“Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed are they who keep my ways.
³³ “Heed instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.
³⁴ “Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
³⁵ “For he who finds me finds life
And obtains favor from the Lord.
³⁶ “But he who sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death,” (8:32-36).

Let’s Grow Together!