The Value of Wisdom

I decided to skip over chapter 7.  It is about the dangers of adultery and I think we’ve covered that pretty extensively over the past two weeks.  Proverbs 8 changes the subject a little bit.  Here are verses 1-11:

Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?  2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.  3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:  4 “To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.  5 O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.  6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;  7 For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.  9 They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.  10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;  11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

I like that in this passage we have wisdom personified as someone who is ready and willing to be heard.  Wisdom from God is not “secret”, nor is it reserved for a select few who are enlightened.  Wisdom cries out at the top of the hill, from the gates at the entrance of the city.   Wisdom wants to be heard.  God wants us to know His wisdom, primarily found in His word.  In verses 10-11 wisdom is said to be of more value than silver, gold and rubies.  Verse 11 goes on to say that nothing can be compared with the value of wisdom.

Do we think that way?  Do we really value wisdom in that manner?  Unfortunately I think that most of us do not.  Yet, we should.   We should desperately value wisdom and we should do all that we can to acquire it.  We will not be disappointed.

In wisdom,
Eric