Early in his reign Solomon desired wisdom above all riches and was greatly blessed because of it ( 1 Kings 3:10-13).ġ. Without wisdom, one may have the riches of this world and a miserable life. All the things one may desire cannot be compared with her: Wisdom’s value is above silver, gold, and rubies. Durant, a witty and learned minister of the Reformed Church of Paris, gave to a lady of suspected chastity, and now revolted: when she pretended the hardness of the Scripture, Why, said he, madam, what can be more plain than ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery?’ Had she not been failing in the practice of what she could not but know, she had found no cause to complain of the difficulty of that which she could not know.” (Trapp)ĭ. As the American author Mark Twain was reported to have said, It’s not the parts of the Bible I can’t understand that bother me it’s the parts that I do understand. Of course, there are deep and occasionally complicated passages, but the fundamental truths of the Bible are plain to those who trust God and honor His word. It could be said of the Scriptures in general, they are all plain to him who understands. There is clarity and a straightforward character to wisdom, one that contrasts with elaborate so-called hidden truths and mysteries. Because of this, the words can be understood they are all plain to him who understands. Wisdom says of her words that there is nothing crooked or perverse in them. When people use lies they should not be trusted to communicate wisdom. My mouth will speak truth: When wisdom speaks, it is true. We can learn the ways of wisdom and benefit from that learning.Ĭ. The simple man described in Proverbs 7 seems like a lost cause, but he doesn't have to be. You simple ones, understand prudence: Wisdom doesn’t give up on the simple ones. For would she have cried so loud or continued for so long if she had not loved your soul, if she had not known the wrath that was hanging over you, the hell that was before you?” (Bridges)ī. “The loudness and the perseverance of the voice is that of an earnest friend who warns of danger. This is the message she presented to men and women, all who would listen to her. ![]() To you, O men, I call: Here Solomon spoke of wisdom personified. They are all plain to him who understands,Īnd all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.Ī. Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,Īnd from the opening of my lips will come right things Īll the words of my mouth are with righteousness ( Proverbs 8:4-11) The goodness wisdom promises.Īnd you fools, be of an understanding heart. Hence the zealous ministers of Christ go still to the highways and hedges, to the mountains and plains, to the ships and the cottages, to persuade sinners to turn from the error of their ways and accept that redemption which was procured by the sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ.”Ģ. but hundreds of thousands never frequent them, and therefore do not hear the voice of truth: wisdom, therefore, must go to them, if she wishes them to receive her instructions. “There are, it is true, temples, synagogues, churches, chapels, etc. Adam Clarke saw something wonderful in wisdom’s public proclamation, and something worthy to imitate. ![]() To the contrary, she wants to attract all and be accessible to all.” (Garrett) Nor is she high atop some mountain where only the hardiest and most determined will find her. “The important point is that wisdom is for ordinary people - she is not confined to the academic classroom or to sacred precincts of the temple. “A chapter which is to soar beyond time and space, opens at street-level, to make it clear, first, that the wisdom of God is as relevant to the shopping-centre ( Proverbs 8:2-3) as to heaven itself ( Proverbs 8:22).” (Kidner) ![]() Wisdom is not hidden - it cries out to all who will listen. She makes her call in the most public of places, by the gates, at the entry of the city. She speaks to those beside the way and where the paths meet. ![]() She takes her stand on the top of the high hill: Wisdom personified cries out as widely and broadly as possible. “The unchaste wife moves covertly at dusk and speaks falsely Wisdom moves publicly and speaks direct and authoritative truth.” (Waltke)ī. Does not wisdom cry out: As before in the book of Proverbs, Solomon here wrote of wisdom as if she were a person - a noble, beautiful, helpful woman in contrast to the immoral woman described in Proverbs 7. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,Ī. She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Campbell Morgan on Proverbs 8: “There is nothing greater or grander in all the Biblical literature, as setting forth the beauty and grace of that wisdom which has the fear of Jehovah as its chief part.”
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