Category: Devotions

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. These familiar words reinforce the central theme of Proverbs. A different Hebrew word is used here for beginning. It has reference not to time but to first principles, fundamentals (Eccl. 10:13). Between those who accepted her invitation and reproofs, and scorners and wicked who hate and defame her, there appears to be an on the fence crowd, the simple ones, now leaning one way, now the other, to whom Wisdom appeals. She reverts to first principles, and lays down the conditions for a life of faithfulness. A true conception of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs contains many repetitions. If history repeats itself, why not the issues of morality and truth? Some keywords like wisdom, knowledge, and understanding reappear here, as they do in later chapters. This is typical of Hebrew thought, and the Holy Spirit still considers it necessary for our growth in grace. Peter saw the need for repetition. It is not some new discovery that is needed, like the Athenians of Paul’s day (Acts 17:21), or the ecumenical dialoguers of ours, but a return to the basic doctrines revealed by Eternal Wisdom in the Bible. Let this repetition not weary us but make us eager learners.

Someone has well said: “The most difficult area in friendship is letting a man see his faults and errors, which should, if possible, be so contrived that he may perceive our advice is given to him, not so much to please ourselves as for his own advantage. The reproaches, therefore, of a friend should be strictly just, and not too frequent.” How practical are these instructions, and how very pertinent still? Remember, all men, even the wisest and best, sometimes need reproof but do we have the wisdom to do it? Too many friendships are lost and churches harmed by wrongly handled reproofs.

They would not come, but they made light of it, and went their ways. Here, Wisdom expresses a most gracious compassion for man, caring for him, loving him, spreading abroad the blessings of peace, of purity, and the promise of Eternal Life. Is not this an accurate description of the ministry of the Word Incarnate?

This House of Wisdom rests on the surest foundation. It rests on the Triune Godhead, the Perfections of God, and the all-sufficient righteousness of the Incarnate One. It stands on the Rock of Ages, which time cannot shatter or shift.

In Chapter 8 Wisdom spoke from highest Heaven. Here Wisdom has come near. He is seen (in type) as Incarnate, building His House and dwelling among men (Jn. 1:14). The seven pillars, an oriental feature, may indicate the perfection (seven) and strength of Wisdom’s House. Arnot suggests the seven things that God hates may be rubbish to be cleared from this foundation, and the seven Beatitudes are the pillars of truth erected here by the Master Builder (Jn. 14:2). Paul refers to the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tm. 3:15). The curse, having been removed, a feast is prepared, and the guests are bidden to come, for all things are now ready. Who can measure the blessings Christ brings? Consider the sevenfold picture of Wisdom revealed thus far in these Proverbs.

O soul, outside Christ, read verse 36 on your knees and cry to Heaven for mercy. This chapter ends with the fact that there are two opposite Ways, One of Life, the Other of Death, the Way of Salvation or the Way of Destruction (Pr. 14:12). He that sins against me (chata, misses the Prize), wrongs (chamas, does violence to) his own soul. The one who finds Christ, finds Life (lit. my finder), but the one who sins against me (lit. my misser) in reality hates me and not only misses Life, but violates his own soul and in sinful blindness loves death. God puts the issues of Life and Death so clearly as to leave Christ-rejecters without excuse. Their punishment will be just. Therefore, dear reader, learn:

The claim in 35-36 could be true of none other than Jesus Christ. “These last two verses disclose their full meaning in relation to Christ, the Wisdom of God” (Kidner). Those who find Him find Life. What a claim! This is Life at its best, its highest, its noblest. He on whom you wait (v.34) is the author, the Dispenser of Life.

What is the picture suggested by v.34? Is it a priest waiting at the door of the Tabernacle (Ex. 29:42)? Is it the people watching at the gates of the Temple for the priest’s Benediction when he had finished his duties (Lu. 1:10, 21)? Some see an eager pupil waiting at the door of the school for the appearance of his teacher! “Wisdom’s child will ever be familiar with Wisdom’s gates” (Bridges). The daily, as well as the Sabbath assemblies, were ever his delights. Never would he be absent from the Well when his Shepherd comes to water the flock. Every true believer knows that the soul’s nourishment depends on watching daily at her gates, like the servants of the temple.

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).