Proverbs 8

1 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!

2 On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.

3 By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,

4 “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.

5 You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.

6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,

7 for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.

8 My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it.

9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.

11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.

12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

13 All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.

14 Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.

15 Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.

16 Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.

17 “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.

18 I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.

19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!

20 I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.

21 Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.

22 “The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.

23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.

24 I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.

25 Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born—

26 before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.

27 I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.

28 I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth.

29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,

30 I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.

31 And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!

32 “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.

34 Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!

35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD .

36 But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

Christ, as Wisdom, calls to the sons of men. (1-11) The nature and riches of Wisdom. (12-21) Christ one with the Father, in the creation of the world, and rejoicing in his work for the salvation of man. (22-31) Exhortations to hear Christ's word. (32-36)

Verses 1-11 The will of God is made known by the works of creation, and by the consciences of men, but more clearly by Moses and the prophets. The chief difficulty is to get men to attend to instruction. Yet attention to the words of Christ, will guide the most ignorant into saving knowledge of the truth. Where there is an understanding heart, and willingness to receive the truth in love, wisdom is valued above silver and gold.

Verses 12-21 Wisdom, here is Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word, and Christ in the heart; not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. All prudence and skill are from the Lord. Through the redemption of Christ's precious blood, the riches of his grace abound in all wisdom and prudence. Man found out many inventions for ruin; God found one for our recovery. He hates pride and arrogance, evil ways and froward conversation; these render men unwilling to hear his humbling, awakening, holy instructions. True religion gives men the best counsel in all difficult cases, and helps to make their way plain. His wisdom makes all truly happy who receive it in the love of Christ Jesus. Seek him early, seek him earnestly, seek him before any thing else. Christ never said, Seek in vain. Those who love Christ, are such as have seen his loveliness, and have had his love shed abroad in their hearts; therefore they are happy. They shall be happy in this world, or in that which is beyond compare better. Wealth gotten by vanity will soon be diminished, but that which is well got, will wear well; and that which is well spent upon works of piety and charity, will be lasting. If they have not riches and honour in this world, they shall have that which is infinitely better. They shall be happy in the grace of God. Christ, by his Spirit, guides believers into all truth, and so leads them in the way of righteousness; and they walk after the Spirit. Also, they shall be happy in the glory of God hereafter. In Wisdom's promises, believers have goods laid up, not for days and years, but for eternity; her fruit therefore is better than gold.

Verses 22-31 The Son of God declares himself to have been engaged in the creation of the world. How able, how fit is the Son of God to be the Saviour of the world, who was the Creator of it! The Son of God was ordained, before the world, to that great work. Does he delight in saving wretched sinners, and shall not we delight in his salvation?

Verses 32-36 Surely we should hearken to Christ's voice with the readiness of children. Let us all be wise, and not refuse such mercy. Blessed are those who hear the Saviour's voice, and wait on him with daily reading, meditation, and prayer. The children of the world find time for vain amusements, without neglecting what they deem the one thing needful. Does it not show contempt of Wisdom's instructions, when people professing godliness, seek excuses for neglecting the means of grace? Christ is Wisdom, and he is Life to all believers; nor can we obtain God's favour, unless we find Christ, and are found in him. Those who offend Christ deceive themselves; sin is a wrong to the soul. Sinners die because they will die, which justifies God when he judges.

Footnotes

• [a]. Some Hebrew manuscripts and Greek version read and nobles are judges over the earth.
• [b]. Hebrew my sons.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 8

This chapter contains the instructions of Wisdom or Christ; showing the excellency of them, and the author of them, in opposition to the harlot and her allurements, in the preceding chapter. Christ, under the name of Wisdom, is represented as an herald, publishing the Gospel in the ministry of the word, either in person or by his servants, Pr 8:1. The places where this proclamation is made are described, Pr 8:2,3; the persons to whom, Pr 8:4,5. The excellency of the things delivered, being right things; truth, agreeably to the word of God, plain and easy to be understood, and of more worth than gold, silver, and precious stones, Pr 8:6-11. And then Wisdom, or Christ, is commended and recommended by his consummate prudence and knowledge, by his hatred of evil, and by his influence on the political affairs of kings and princes, Pr 8:12-16; and the advantages of those that are early seekers of him are pointed out; their enjoyment of his favour, of his riches, honour and righteousness; and their being led by him in right paths now, and inheriting eternal glory hereafter, Pr 8:17-21. And next follows an account of his existence from eternity as a divine Person, illustrated by a variety of phrases, Pr 8:22-29; and of his being with the Father; of his great affection for him, and complacency in him; and of Christ's wonderful delight and pleasure in the sons of men, Pr 8:30,31. And the chapter is concluded with an exhortation to them to hearken to his instructions; setting forth the happiness of those that wait on him in public ordinances, and find him; and the misery of those that hate and reject him.