God Speaks
Listen as Wisdom calls out!
Hear as understanding raises her voice!
2 On the hilltop along the road,
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 By the gates at the entrance to the town,
on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4 “I call to you, to all of you!
I raise my voice to all people.
5 You simple people, use good judgment.
You foolish people, show some understanding.
6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
Everything I say is right,
7 for I speak the truth
and detest every kind of deception.
8 My advice is wholesome.
There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
clear to those with knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
Nothing you desire can compare with it.
12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.
14 Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine.
15 Because of me, kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees.
16 Rulers lead with my help,
and nobles make righteous judgments.
17 “I love all who love me.
Those who search will surely find me.
18 I have riches and honor,
as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
my wages better than sterling silver!
20 I walk in righteousness,
in paths of justice.
21 Those who love me inherit wealth.
I will fill their treasuries.
22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning,
before he created anything else.
23 I was appointed in ages past,
at the very first, before the earth began.
24 I was born before the oceans were created,
before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
25 Before the mountains were formed,
before the hills, I was born—
26 before he had made the earth and fields
and the first handfuls of soil.
27 I was there when he established the heavens,
when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
28 I was there when he set the clouds above,
when he established springs deep in the earth.
29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas,
so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.
And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,
30 I was the architect at his side.
I was his constant delight,
rejoicing always in his presence.
31 And how happy I was with the world he created;
how I rejoiced with the human family!
32 “And so, my children, listen to me,
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.
Don’t ignore it.
34 Joyful are those who listen to me,
watching for me daily at my gates,
waiting for me outside my home!
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord.
36 But those who miss me injure themselves.
All who hate me love death.”
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Proverbs 8:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God used wisdom as He created the heavens and the earth.
2. People need wisdom in order to rule properly, to live in right relationship with each other and the world around them, and to prosper in all that they do.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 8?
Dear all-wise God, please teach me wisdom. Please help me and all the people I hold dear to turn to You to gain wisdom and the ability to control ourselves under Your direction. May our mouths speak only what You say is right and true, avoiding whatever is crooked or perverse. Possessing Your wisdom, O God, is more valuable than gold, silver, or precious jewels. The fear of the LORD is what will bring us good government, true riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity, along with righteousness and justice. We need to apply wisdom in every area of life just as You used great wisdom in every aspect of creation. As we follow the path of wisdom, we will find delight in every day, rejoice in Your presence, and view the entire world and all of mankind with delight. May we be blessed by keeping to Your ways, listening to Your instructions, and finding Life and favor from You. May we hate evil and avoid death. All this for Your glory and our good, O LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 8?
- I will ask God to teach me wisdom.
- I will study various parts of Scripture (Proverbs for example) to learn wisdom.
- I will look for people who are wise (in books, online, or in person) to show me what wisdom looks like.
- I will practice making wise decisions and seek to correct whatever foolish ones I have made.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.