This is a Bible study on Proverbs 8:1-21; Proverbs 8:32-36.

6 pages.

Proverbs 8:1-21; Proverbs 8:32-36 - Why Should We Live by God’s Wisdom?

Read Proverbs 8:1-21; Proverbs 8:32-36.

Introduction🔗

In the late summer of 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed thousands of homes in South Florida. In one area the wreckage looked like a war zone. But in the midst of that wreckage and debris one house remained standing, still firmly anchored to its foundation.

A curious reporter asked the homeowner why his house had managed to survive the storm and had not been blown away.

This is what the homeowner said, “I built this house according to the Florida State building code. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane—and it did.” That’s the key: You have to build the house according to the building code—and when you do, it really works!1

Jesus told us the very same thing with regard to our spiritual lives:

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man that built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matt. 7:24-25

Here in Proverbs 8:1-21, 32-36 this same Biblical truth is being expressed in Old Testament terms. Let us now consider two reasons why we should live by God’s divine wisdom.

Live by God’s Wisdom, because It is the Truth🔗

According to verse six, we should pay attention to the wisdom of God because divine wisdom, (as it is presented in the Scriptures), “will speak of noble things; I open my lips to speak what is right.”

Evil men have conceived well-formulated plans by which to subvert a society and cause it to collapse. Some of their strategy includes the following items:2

  • Discredit culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to “eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms.” By so doing, a distortion of reality is created, leaving the public disoriented and confused.
     
  • Control art critics and directors of art museums. “Our plan is to promote ugliness, including repulsive, meaningless art.”
     
  • Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press.
     
  • Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, and TV. (and the internet).
     
  • Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.”
     
  • Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity that does not need a “religious crutch.”
     
  • Eliminate prayer or any type of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”
     
  • Discredit the family as an institution; encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
     
  • Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents.

In contrast to demonic efforts to subvert and destroy God-fearing society and the individual’s moral and spiritual life, the wisdom of God proclaims the things that are “noble” and “right.” The wisdom of God as revealed in the Scriptures provides us with a standard of what is good:

  • The Ten Commandments
  • The Book of Proverbs
  • The lives of God-fearing men and women
  • The life and teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
  • The exhortations of the apostolic epistles

Note: We are by no means saying that adherence to the commandments and the imitation of godly men, and of Christ Himself, is the way of salvation. Such can never be, since, as sinful men and women, we can never match up to the divine standard of holiness. The way of salvation, the means of salvation, is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, reliance on His perfect righteousness and His atoning sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. However, for the Christian, the purpose of salvation is the life of godliness and holiness, becoming transformed into the image of Christ our Savior. This process of transformation, what the Scriptures call “sanctification,” can only be achieved by the Christian’s reliance upon the Holy Spirit and the grace He imparts; it is an on-going process that shall only achieve its goal when the Christian departs this earthly life and enters into glory. Furthermore, although the commandments and moral standards of the Word of God can never serve as the means of salvation for sinful men, they do provide the foundation and the guidelines upon which a stable, peaceful, and righteous society can be constructed and maintained before God.

In verse seven the wisdom of God declares, “My mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is detestable to my lips.” Consider the character of God, (the Author of Scripture), as He reveals Himself in the Scriptures:

The LORD is righteous; he loves righteousness. Psl. 11:7a

God is not a man, that he should lie; nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he spoken, and will he not act? Or has he promised, and will he not fulfill it?Num. 23:19

God…cannot lie. Titus 1:2

In contrast, consider how the Scriptures identify the nature and character of man and the devil:

...the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.Rom. 1:18

And this is the reason for the condemnation: the Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the light, because their works were evil. Jn. 3:19

...the devil was a murderer from the beginning and is not established in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he is speaking in accordance with his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. Jn. 8:44

Verse eight is expressing the sincerity and integrity of God’s wisdom: “All the words of my mouth are spoken in righteousness, there is nothing crooked or perverse in them.”

Verse twelve is expressing the depths and reliability of God’s wisdom: “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.” The wisdom of God does not speak hastily or superficially; it does not judge according to mere appearance; on the contrary, it goes to the very heart and core of a matter, it speaks and reveals what is true:

The LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 1 Sam. 2:3b

The LORD does not see the way man sees; man looks upon the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Sam. 16:7b

The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. Heb. 4:12-13

Verse thirteen is expressing the integrity of God’s wisdom: “The fear of the LORD includes the hating of evil; I hate pride and arrogance, and evil conduct and the mouth that speaks perversity.” The wisdom of God not only knows and teaches what is right, but also personally abides by that righteousness. Consider the testimony of the Lord Jesus concerning Himself: “the prince of this world...finds nothing in me” (Jn. 14:30). Jesus is declaring that the devil has no accusation that he can bring against Him; in other words, the Lord Jesus is a man of complete integrity and righteousness. Consider the testimony of Scripture regarding itself:

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commandments of the LORD are radiant, enlightening the eyes. 9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. Psl. 19:7-9

Note, also, the testimony of Psalm 119:96, “To all perfection I see a limit; but your commandments are boundless.” In other words, the commandments of the LORD are the epitome of perfection.

How do you become convinced about the truth of God’s wisdom, (the truth about God’s Word)? Divine wisdom testifies, “All my words are clear to him who understands” (vs. 9). This understanding results from the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit: “when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all the truth” (Jn. 16:13a).

Wisdom goes on to declare, “those who diligently seek me shall find me” (vs. 17). You become convinced of the truth when you receive the truth and experience it. During the days of His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus declared: “If anyone desires to do [God’s] will, he shall know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or whether I speak on my own.” (Jn. 7:17)

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, If you abide in my word you will truly be my disciples; 32and you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free. Jn. 8:31-32

Peter testified to Jesus on behalf of himself and the other disciples, “We have believed and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:69). By believing—committing themselves to the Lord Jesus­ they came to know the truth of who He is.

The first reason why we should live by God’s wisdom (God’s Word) is because it is the truth.

We Should Live by God’s Wisdom, because It will Bring Us Blessing🔗

Verse ten urges us to receive God’s wisdom and value it more than silver and pure gold. We are exhorted to do so because the wisdom of God, (revealed and offered to us in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments), is incomparably more valuable than all the treasures of the world: “wisdom is better than rubies, and whatever may be desired cannot compare to it” (vs. 11).

How is it that divine wisdom is more valuable and more precious than all the treasures of the world? Proverbs 3:16-17 provide the following reasons:

“Long life is in her right hand” (Prov. 3:16a).🔗

You can’t buy life with all the money in the world, but the divine wisdom of God offers you “long life” (literally, “length of days”). Note: Long life in the Promised Land of Canaan was the Old Testament form of the covenant blessing: eternal life in fellowship with God.

“In her left hand are riches and honor” (Prov. 3:16b).🔗

When you make riches your number one priority, you do so at the peril of your soul; as the Apostle Paul warns in his first epistle to Timothy:

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with much grief. 1 Tim. 6:9-10

But when you value the wisdom of God above all else, you shall eventually gain the whole world:

The LORD God is a sun and a shield. The LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in you. Psl. 84:11-12

[God] gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to the man who pleases him; but to the sinner [God] gives the arduous task of gathering and storing up wealth so that He may give it to the one that pleases Him. Eccl. 2:26

...all things are yours. 22Whether...the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all things are yours; 23and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God. 1 Cor. 3:21b-­23

“Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful” (Prov. 3:17).🔗

The riches of the world cannot buy you peace of mind or peace of soul; often times they are sought after at the expense of those priceless spiritual commodities. (Note, again, the warning of the Apostle Paul given in 1 Timothy 6:9-10.) But divine wisdom (as revealed in the Scriptures) will lead you into the pleasant blessings of God and cause you to walk with God in peace:

1The LORD is my shepherd... 3He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake... 6Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psl. 23:1,3,6

Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psl. 119:165

Verse twenty declares that the wisdom of God walks “in the way of righteousness.” The Word of God instructs us in righteous living; the Lord Jesus Christ leads us in the paths of righteousness.

Verse twenty-one goes on to indicate that God’s wisdom does so in order that “I may cause those who love me to inherit riches—that I may fill their treasuries.” The wisdom of God directs us in the path of righteous living because it is the life of righteousness that is well-pleasing to God and receives His eternal blessing. Referring to the Lord Jesus, the writer to the Hebrews declares, “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy” (Heb. 1:9).

A second reason why we should live by God’s wisdom is the fact that it will bring us blessing.

Conclusion🔗

In verses 32-33 the wisdom of God makes one final appeal: “Now then, my sons, listen to me; for blessed are those who keep my ways. 33Heed instruction and so be wise; do not refuse it.” By opening our heart and life to the Word of God we become wise; we will be transformed by it into the likeness of Christ.

Verse thirty-four describes for us the characteristics of the man who is blessed by God:

  • he is a man who listens to (i.e. pays attention to and puts into practice) the wisdom of God;
     
  • he is a man who watches daily at wisdom’s gates—there is a daily reading and studying of God’s Word, a meditating upon it and seeking to understand its application to life;
     
  • he is a man who waits at wisdom’s doorway—he waits upon the LORD for His leading and guidance, he refuses to allow impatience, impulsiveness and self-reliance to govern his life.

In verses 35-36 we hear wisdom’s concluding word: “whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD” (vs. 35). Those who seek after the LORD and His wisdom are the recipients of His blessing. “But whoever sins against me does harm to his own soul; all who hate me love death” (vs. 36). Those who disregard and disdain the wisdom of God do so to their own peril.

Discussion Questions🔗

  1. In Proverbs 8:1-4, we find divine wisdom engaged in what activity? As the personification of wisdom in Proverbs is the representation of Christ, what do we find the Savior likewise doing? See Matt. 11:28-30 Have you personally responded to His call to put your faith in Him and become His disciple?

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights along the way, where the paths intersect, she takes her stand. 3Beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrance ways, she cries aloud, 4To you, O men, I call out; I speak to all mankind.Prov. 8:1-4

Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; 30for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matt. 11:28-30

  1. What claim does divine wisdom make in Proverbs 8:7a? What claim does the Lord Jesus Christ make? See Jn. 14:6; Jn. 12:49-50 In contrast to Himself as the Truth of God, how does Christ describe the devil? See Jn. 8:44b What lie did the devil speak to our first parents? Comp. Gen. 2:16b, 17 with Gen. 3:4 What lies does the devil present to you, contradicting the Word of God? How do you respond to his lies?

My mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is detestable to my lips. Prov. 8:7

Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, except by me. (Jn. 14:6)

The Lord Jesus testified:

49...I did not speak of my own accord; on the contrary, the Father who sent me, he has commanded me what to say and how to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. Therefore, what I say is just what the Father has spoken to me. Jn. 12:49-50

He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own [nature], for he is a liar and the father of [the lie]. Jn. 8:44

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, From every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17but you shall not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. Gen. 2:16-17

But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die Gen. 3:4

  1. To whom are the words of divine wisdom “clear,” (i.e. recognized and affirmed to be true)? See Prov. 8:9 What exhortation does wisdom give in Proverbs 8:10? How does Christ the Lord express this same truth in John 8:31-32? Can you join Peter in his testimony? See Jn. 6:68-69,

All my words are clear to him who understands, they are right to those who have found knowledge. 10Receive my instruction rather than silver; receive knowledge rather than choice gold...Prov. 8:9-10

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, If you abide in my word you will truly be my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. Jn. 8:31-32

Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have believed and know that you are the Holy One of God. Jn. 6:68-69

  1. What claim does wisdom make in Proverbs 8:11? How is it that divine wisdom (which is embodied in Christ the Lord) is more valuable than all earthly treasure? See Prov. 8:35; note, also, Prov. 3:16 What claim does the Lord Jesus make? See Jn. 10:10b; Jn. 11:25 Have you placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, thereby becoming spiritually joined to Him in His death and subsequently being joined to Him in His resurrection life? Note Gal. 2:20,

...wisdom is better than rubies, and whatever may be desired cannot compare to it.Prov. 8:11

for whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD. Prov. 8:35

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Prov. 3:16

...I have come so that they may have life and have it abundantly. Jn. 10:10b

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life. He who believes in me shall live, even though he dies... Jn. 11:25

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal. 2:20

  1. Along what pathway does divine wisdom walk? See Prov. 8:20 According to Proverbs 8:21, why does wisdom do so? What does the Psalmist tell us about our Lord Jesus Christ? See Psl. 23:1a, 3b Why is it important that we as Christians, in reliance on His grace, follow our Lord? See Heb. 12:14b,

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the center of the paths of justice, 21so that I may cause those who love me to inherit riches—that I may fill their treasuries... Prov. 8:20-21

The LORD is my shepherd... 3...he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psl. 23:1, 3

Pursue...the holiness [literally, the sanctification] without which no one will see the Lord. Heb. 12:14

Endnotes🔗

  1. ^ Our Daily Bread, (Grand Rapids, MI: Our Daily Bread Ministries), 3/2/94.
  2. ^ W. Cleon Skousen and Arnold Friberg, The Naked Communist, (Salt Lake City, UT: Izzard Ink, LLC, 1986), 259­-262.

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