Proverbs 8:5-12, ‘Tis Shining for Thee!

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March 23, Proverbs 8:5-12

Job 40:1-4; 42:1-6 “The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Ps. 12:6).

‘Tis Shining for Thee!

Wisdom seeks to commend herself to all. With so many unquestioned merits, let us come to her Light, for ‘Tis shining for thee, sweetly the light has dawned upon me.

  1. Wisdom’s Role is to call the simple ones to… wisdom and fools to… heart, to be wise (v.5). Want of wisdom (Pr. 10:21) is to lack heart. Even fools can receive wisdom and can have a heart for God (Is. 35:8). The word used for wisdom here, prudence or subtilty, is unusual. It seems to have a negative force such as deceit or guile (Gn. 3:1). In Proverbs it always has a good sense of applied wisdom (Pr. 1:4; 8:12; 12:23). There is converting power in these words for they are the words of Eternal Wisdom (Ps. 19:7).
  2. Wisdom’s Rule is to speak excellent things and right things (vs.6-8). Excellent is related to a word meaning out in front, before. Sometimes it is translated prince or ruler, (Pr. 28:16). These, then, are princely words of the King Eternal. Wisdom’s teachings must rule in all areas. Right means straight or upright, never twisted or crooked (v.8). They will never deceive. Lips in 7 and 5:3 is the same, but how different the words! Wisdom does not use oily-words of the strange woman, but only truth, for lies are hateful to her.
  3. Wisdom’s Result is in knowledge that is plain and right (v.9). Right (v.6) is a synonym for plain (right on, 4:25). “They lead straight to the right goal” (BDB). There is nothing twisted or perverse in them. Wisdom’s rightness is proved by its results in those who trust and obey her, and they are simple to those who know them!
  4. Wisdom’s Rivals are silver, gold, or rubies (corals) which man covets (vs.10-11), but they are not to be compared with her (Ps. 19:10). Yet men will risk death for gold! Wisdom pleads with us to choose her above all these. She offers the only durable riches, but sinful man can’t believe this. How many are dying of want in the midst of the earthly rivals? He who possesses Wisdom is infinitely richer than the man with bags of gold (Pr. 3:15). It may be foolish to despise gold or rubies, but it is infinitely more foolish to think they can buy anything that you can take into eternity. We came naked; we depart naked!
  5. Wisdom’s Resources are prudence and knowledge of witty inventions (v.12). She has vast resources at her disposal. Notice how boldly she speaks, piling up all those personal pronouns I, Me, MY, Mine! She has the power of forming plans and ferreting out wicked devices (witty inventions) both good (Pr. 1:4) and bad (Pr. 12:2). All true knowledge is traceable to this heavenly source, the self-revelation of an infinite-personal God. Let us rejoice that Wisdom’s Resources are ever available to meet the need of every child of God. All who come to her Light receive the Blessings that she alone can bestow.

Thought: Come to that Fountain that ever flows, not to the broken-cisterns of man.

Prayer: “Come, Thou Fount of every blessing; tune my heart to sing Thy Praise.”