Proverbs 8

Scripture

Proverbs 8:5
You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on [wisdom].

Observation

 Wisdom is always calling out to those who seek her and recognize her value – more precious than silver, costlier than gold and to be treasured more than even rubies. She is trustworthy; those who listen to her walk in prudence and discernment and they enjoy honor and prosperity. Wisdom came forth from God at the dawn of creation and all creation reveals His wisdom. Wisdom exalts those who heed her call and casts down the fool her ignores her voice.  

Understanding

Only someone who admits that they are sick seeks a cure for what ails them. So it is with wisdom. Only one who realizes how ignorant and foolish they are without her will ever value, listen for and heed her voice of instruction. The scriptures are full of counsel to not be wise in our own sight. We are cautioned to not lean on our own understanding and to beware the path that seems right to a man but, in the end, leads to destruction. In fact, the Bible says that as surely as sparks from a fire fly upward, so is man born to trouble and the inclinations of his heart are toward evil all the time. Only someone who agrees with this reality of his self-nature will ever, in recognition of his desperate condition, run post haste to take hold of the wisdom that is from without and from above. The one who is wise in his own self-estimation will scoff at the need for wisdom from any source other than that which is produced from his arrogant pride and which will surely result in failure and fall.

Life Application

While I understand the need to seek God’s wisdom in issues of great import and consequence, I need to value, covet and seek His wisdom in the everyday which I tend to address with my own faulty intellect and motives. God has wisdom for me for every personal interaction; every phone call or email; every thought, attitude, word and action if I will seek it. Wisdom is constantly calling, but I am rarely listening. Only when I silence the noise and voices that compete against her counsel and set aside human reasoning for the guidance of the Holy Spirit will I hear her voice as clear as a clarion call and walk, moment by moment, in the blessing of her offering.

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-Gary Parker