Proverbs 8:32-36, What Blessings are Promised!
April 2, Proverbs 8:32-36
Matt. 17:1-8; Eph. 1:1-14 “Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened” (Acts 16:14).
What Blessings are Promised!
They are blessed indeed that keep the Way of this One who calls. Yet, so hard are our hearts that the appeals must be renewed again and again. Now, therefore, hearken unto me (v.32). The word therefore points back to all that we have learned about the Person and Work of this divine One (2 Tm. 1:9-10). “Because I give, and am, all this,” have not I earned the right to be heard and obeyed, he asks? Even so, this entreaty is now to be driven home by the stark realities of life and death! The secret of true blessedness is once more brought to light, but when shall we be willing to learn, to love and to live, for only thus shall we find what we were looking for but never finding? The answer is, only when we hearken unto Him in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3).
- The Lesson Proceeding: Notice that v.31 ended with the sons of men, literally, sons of Adam (beney-adam), and the word children or sons (banim) introduces v.32. Thus we are carried back in thought to the Garden of Eden. Only when man, for whom the world was made, embraces Wisdom, can the state of Paradise be regained. Verse 32 repeats what this chapter said at the beginning, Hear! Listen! And the next verse clinches it with three imperative verbs: Hear, Be Wise, Refuse not (i.e., Don’t neglect)!
a. A Spiritual Conversion is necessary. The Listening that leads to Learning is the beginning of godly blessedness (v.32). It is a listening that is not only relevant, but also reiterated. Is it not wise to hear such instruction with faith and reverence, but how else can that conversion become a reality except by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Ps. 32:1-2)? “Oh! happy moment when the soul is made willing in the day of his power (Ps. 110:3); when the bands of love are drawing (Hos. 11:4) unto him”(Bridges)! Yielding to Wisdom, God’s Son, is the evidence that the miracle of the New Birth has taken place (Jn. 1:12-13). How else can we understand God’s Word, much less receive it and believe it? It is only then that the sinful enmity in the human heart is slain. It is not our new heedfulness of His ways, or our growing desire after holiness that is the cause of this blessedness. These are but the effect of the in-working of God’s grace, but the effect is also proof that God has begun a good work in us (Eph. 2:10, 13).
b. A Solemn Consecration is obligatory. As we mentioned earlier there are three imperative verbs (v.33) giving no uncertain sound, multiplying words that urge us to heed the voice of Wisdom. This alone is the way that leads to the life of consecration and blessing. Such consecration means, i. the acceptance of instruction – hear instruction by receiving the Truth as it is in Jesus (Eph. 4:21); ii. the experience of instruction – be wise by applying the truth we have already received; iii. the obedience of instruction – refuse it not, for only where there is obedience can there be blessedness. Incarnate-Wisdom declared: If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them (Jn. 13:17; Jas. 1:25). Such consecration means striving daily to take up your cross and follow Christ (Lu. 9:23).
Thought: You cannot have the coin of Christ apart from the cross of Christ.
Prayer: Lord, bring me and keep me under the Master’s instruction.