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.
- THE CRY OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:1-11)
- A Public Cry (Proverbs 8:1-3)
- The action of wisdom (Proverbs 8:1)
- It cries out
- It puts forth its voice
- The locations of wisdom (Proverbs 8:2-3)
- In the top of the high places (Proverbs 8:2)
- In the places of the paths (Proverbs 8:2)
- At the gates of the city (Proverbs 8:3)
- A Personal Cry (Proverbs 8:4-5)
- Unto men (Proverbs 8:4)
- Unto the sons of men (Proverbs 8:4)
- Unto the simple (Proverbs 8:5)
- Unto the foolish (Proverbs 8:5)
- A Profitable Cry (Proverbs 8:6-9; compare Philippians 4:8)
- Of excellent things (Proverbs 8:6)
- Of right things (Proverbs 8:6)
- Of true things (Proverbs 8:7)
- Of righteous things (Proverbs 8:8)
- Of plain things (Proverbs 8:9)
- A Precious Cry (Proverbs 8:10-11)
- Better than silver or gold (Proverbs 8:10)
- Better than rubies (Proverbs 8:11)
- Better than all things that may be desired (Proverbs 8:11)
- THE COUNSEL OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:12-21)
- The Fear of Wisdoms Counsel (Proverbs 8:12-14)
- The prudence of wisdom (Proverbs 8:12)
- The hatred of wisdom (Proverbs 8:13)
- Evil
- Pride
- Arrogance
- The evil way
- The forward mouth [willfully stubborn; uncontrollable]
- The strength of wisdom (Proverbs 8:14)
- The strength of counsel
- The strength of sound wisdom
- The strength of understanding
- The Force of Wisdoms Counsel (Proverbs 8:15-16)
- Enabling kings to reign (Proverbs 8:15)
- Enabling princes to decree justice (Proverbs 8:15)
- Enabling princes, nobles, and judges to rule (Proverbs 8:16)
- The Fruit of Wisdoms Counsel (Proverbs 8:17-21)
- The fruit of return (Proverbs 8:17)
- Wisdom loves those who love it
- Wisdom is found of those who seek it
- The fruit of riches (Proverbs 8:18-19)
- Riches that are durable (Proverbs 8:18; Matthew 6:19-20)
- Riches that are superior (Proverbs 8:19)
- The fruit of righteousness (Proverbs 8:20-21)
- Leading in the way of righteousness (Proverbs 8:20)
- Receiving the rewards of righteousness (Proverbs 8:21)
- THE COMPANION OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:22-31)
- From the Beginning (Proverbs 8:22-26)
- Possessed by the LORD (Proverbs 8:22; see John 8:42; John 16:28)
- In the beginning of His way
- Before His works of old
- Set up by the LORD (Proverbs 8:23)
- From everlasting (Micah 5:2)
- From the beginning or ever the earth was (John 1:1-2)
- Preexisting all creation (Proverbs 8:24-26)
- Before the depths and the fountains (Proverbs 8:24)
- Before the mountains and hills (Proverbs 8:25)
- Before the earth, fields, or dust (Proverbs 8:26)
- As One Brought Up With Him (Proverbs 8:27-31)
- Gods companion in creation (Proverbs 8:27-29)
- When He prepared the heavens (Proverbs 8:27)
- When He set a compass on the deep (Proverbs 8:27; Isaiah 40:22)
- When He established the clouds above (Proverbs 8:28)
- When He strengthened the fountains of the deep (Proverbs 8:28)
- When He gave the sea His decree (Proverbs 8:29; Job 38:8-11; Psalm 104:9; Jeremiah 5:22)
- When He appointed the foundations of the earth (Proverbs 8:29)
- Gods companion in relation (Proverbs 8:30-31)
- Communion (Proverbs 8:30)
- By Him
- As one brought up with Him
- Delight (Proverbs 8:30)
- Daily His delight
- Rejoicing always before Him
- Purpose (Proverbs 8:31)
- Focusing on the habitable part of the earth
- Finding delight with the sons of men
- The earth was made for man; not man for the earth (Psalm 115:16)
- THE COMFORT OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:32-36)
- The Comfort of Wisdoms Blessing (Proverbs 8:32-34)
- To those who keep the ways of wisdom (Proverbs 8:32)
- To those who hear instruction (Proverbs 8:33)
- To those who wait daily at the gates of wisdom (Proverbs 8:34)
- The Comfort of Wisdoms Bounty (Proverbs 8:35-36)