The Excellence of Wisdom, Part 1

Proverbs 8:1-11

1 Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.

3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:

4 "To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.
5 O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
7 For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.
9 They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

The first third of this chapter introduces the excellence of wisdom.  Wisdom cries out as in the town gate or square, loudly proclaiming God’s truth for our understanding.  On the tallest hill by the roadway paths and at the entrance to the city she plants herself to reach all who pass along the way and into the city to reach as many as possible.  The voice of wisdom calls out to the simple (and therefore humble) to hear and understand the words being broadcast to all that some may hear, which is a picture of the gospel message broadcast to all that some who have made their own understanding simple in humility may hear and be saved from the wrath of the unwise who reject God’s work in that good news.  Yes, wisdom calls for us to understand prudence, what is good sense according to His word spoken to us all, and open our hearts with that understanding from foolishness to wisdom.  Wisdom speaks of the excellent things of God, right things which are truth and not wickedness of lies against the Lord and the work of His Anointed.  Wisdom is truth and righteousness, not perverted or twisted out of the way of what is right and good (Acts 20:30, 2 Peter 3:16-18).  These things are hidden from those unwilling or unable to understand, those rejecting God’s words or those needing to have their ears opened by Him.  We should look to wisdom and willingly listen to be taught by God to treasure the knowledge we gain over the riches which turn to dust and are left behind in the end.  Yes, godly wisdom is of infinite value, worth more than temporal wealth and incomparable with anything else.  May we put hearing and heeding God’s words of wisdom above other pursuits therefore.  That is how we appreciate the excellence of God’s wisdom, for salvation and our ongoing sanctification!