|
This is a text reader for the article below:
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Wednesday 08/20/25
Thru the Bible: Proverbs 8
Message Video Player
Message Audio Player:
Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:19:05 — 91.3MB)
I, Wisdom…
Tonight we are covering Proverb 8, and next week chapter 9, in both of which wisdom is again personified. Of course, we have seen this before, but tonight I am going to present you with a view… an interpretation if you will, of wisdom as a real spirit created by God. I have not done so before now since the contents of this chapter make it ideal to address it.
Up until now, the “wisdom” being personified could be explained away as a literary device. A hypothetical and allegorical construction to make a point and I am not claiming this is not true. I am simply going to suggest another possibility.
This chapter contains some interesting phrases which arguably would not be necessary if it were only intended to be understood as allegory.
Statements like:
- People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind. – verse 4
- For my mouth tells the truth – verse 7
- All the words of my mouth are righteous – verse 8
- Accept my instruction – verse 10
- I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdness and have knowledge and discretion – verse 12
- I possess good advice … I have understanding – verse 14
- It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; – verse 15
- I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. – verse 17
These, to me, go beyond simple allegory and suggest the existence of a real and independent entity… but only just.
In my youth, I always assumed that wisdom was in fact an entity, separate from and created by the Godhead.
I have found over the years that many commentators tend to shy away from ideas which seem unfamiliar or fantastical so long as there is provided for them an ample back door in the text. Though I cannot presume to know their intentions, I assume this is because they consider this to be a “conservative” approach.
It is therefore my unconventional opinion that unless the text demands an allegorical interpretation, it can only be conservative to assume the text should be understood literally as written.
Now there are some things in these two chapters which are, no doubt, allegorical and I believe those will be generally assumed to be so by most readers.
However, I believe a very good case could be made for wisdom literally being a spirit the Godhead created for Their mutual pleasure, assistance and delight.
I know the idea of “assisting God” seems weird, if not a little irreverent, but God desiring assistance should not and cannot be construed as Their actually NEEDING it.
Scripture has repetitively laid before us a rich history of God depending upon, and being assisted by those things which He made. Be they angels, or fiery horses for His chariot, creation itself in revealing His invisible attributes to man or the use and assistance of mankind themselves. Everything and everyone in existence – exist for Their mutual pleasure, assistance, convenience and delight.
The Godhead takes pleasure in the works of Their hands!
So I will quickly lay before you the very few scriptures which lend support to the idea that wisdom is in fact a spirit and let you decide for yourself. Don’t feel any pressure to conform to my beliefs on this in any way. I don’t believe there can be any sin in viewing it one way or the other, since context and usage “could” lend itself to either interpretation.
- Revelation 1:1-5, “(1) The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave Him to show His slaves what must quickly take place. He sent it and signified it through His angel to His slave John, (2) who testified to God’s word and to the testimony about Jesus Christ, in all he saw. (3) Blessed is the one who reads and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near!
(4) John: To the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the One Who is, Who was, and Who is coming; from the seven spirits before His throne; (5) and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him Who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood,”
- Revelation 3:1, “(1) To the angel of the church in Sardis write: “The One Who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says: I know your works; you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead.”
- Revelation 4:5, “(5) And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”
- Revelation 5:6, “(6) And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
The only place in scripture which might offer insight and description as to who these spirits are is found in Isaiah 11:1-2.
- Isaiah 11:1-2, “(1) Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
(2) The spirit of the LORD will rest on Him–a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”
That is a total of 7 spirits!
Now IF these are in fact to be understood as seven real, and independent spirits who are NOT representative of God – specifically the Holy Spirit,
AND
IF these spirits mentioned in couplets are not hendiadys, then…
… the first one listed, namely “the spirit of the Lord” would be understood as that spirit by which Jesus in His earthly, human ministry recognized Himself as the Lord and by whom He walked within that influence, authority and power.
Of course all of this is speculative.
These very well might be nothing more than 7 manifestations of the Holy Spirit of God.
They might even be a type of condensing of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit within the earth.
I would not argue with anyone regarding such interpretations since we know the Holy Spirit DOES in fact do these things. The question of HOW He does them is a matter beyond our investigation.
- He may, for example, use these spirits to do the work.
or
- He may manifest these qualities Himself directly.
To claim certainty in one direction or the other would be to be emphatic where the scriptures are only suggestive.
Personally, I would have assumed these all as expressions, manifestations or ministries of the Holy Spirit Himself if it were not for two things.
- First among them are these verses we have not yet read in Proverbs 8.
- The other is the fact that the word “spirits” is used in all the above. While it certainly is not beyond the Holy Spirit to be somehow plural and yet One, it only introduces yet another conundrum beyond the existence of the Trinity which otherwise has no basis. So I see no need to complicate matters beyond our limited ability to understand. Furthermore, the Greek text in all the above have each independent and grammatical reasons to be translated in the plural.
So with all of that behind us, let’s read Proverb 8!
NOTE: For those of you who have wondered. Should each chapter in Proverbs be referred to in the singular like in the book of Psalms or as a plural? Either is fine and widely practiced. Technically, they are individual proverbs and probably should be stated each in the singular, however, there really is no widely embraced rule regarding this.
“(1) Doesn’t Wisdom call out? Doesn’t Understanding make her voice heard?
(2) At the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand. (3) Beside the gates at the entry to the city, at the main entrance, she cries out:
(4) “People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind.”
A similar construction was used way back in chapter 1 where it said that wisdom,
- “calls out in the streets” – This is an excited, ringing cry – a shout.
- “Shouts loudly in the plazas” – This refers to the wide plazas or broad open spaces near the gate where all the people assembled.
- “at the head of the noisy streets she calls” – This has wisdom making loud proclamations on the summits of the walls and speaking.
- “in the entrances of the gates in the city she utters her words” – which is where judgments and the settling of civil desputes take place.
As I told you at the time in chapter 1, the phrase “in the city” further defines the area of the entrance just inside the gate complex, that is to say – the business area.
In ancient near eastern cities, business dealings and judicial proceedings would both take place in this area.
The Holman has Proverb 1:20-21 it this way,
“(20) Wisdom calls out in the street; she raises her voice in the public squares. (21) She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:” – Prov. 1:20-21
Now back in Proverb 8:5…
“(5) Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish.”
You know of course that what is viewed as foolish differs greatly between the world and God. Those who are of God, embrace a wisdom which is foolishness to the world.
So to the uninformed and worldly person, true wisdom will often appear foolish to their natural way of thinking. This has its highest expression in the incarnation of God in Christ and His earthly redemptive work.
Paul tells the saints in Corinth,
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.
But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, so that no one can boast in His presence.
He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, Who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:25-31,
As we continue on in Proverb 8… we begin with wisdom telling us to listen – which is the Hebrew word “shema” we learned about back in May of 2019 when we covered Deuteronomy chapters 5 & 6. [See – Shema Israel]
“(6) Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right.
(7) For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. (8) All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse.
(9) All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge.”
So we have some clues as to how to acquire and understand the words of wisdom. This statement is in parallel, making the “perceptive” and those who “discover knowledge” the same.
So to actually get what wisdom is teaching we must simply be the “perceptive” and ones who discover “knowledge”.
“Clear” as in “All of them are clear to the perceptive” – the word “clear” means “front of.”
This describes what wisdom says as being “right in front” of the “perceptive“. Meaning they are open, obvious, and clear, as opposed to words that might be twisted or perverse.
The parallel word “upright” means “straight, smooth and right.”
Wisdom’s teachings are in the plain view of those who are “perceptive” and are completely intelligible for those who find “knowledge”.
The perceptive are those who consider what they hear with diligence. Those who find knowledge, according to Jesus in Matthew 7, are those who seek after knowledge. This is affirmed later here in Proverb 8 in verse 17.
Now verse 10, impresses upon our hearts the true and transendant value of wisdom.
“(10) Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.”
It is striking how often Jesus’ teaching on the heart soils shows up throughout scripture. One of the first qualities of the good heart was that it accepted the Word of God upon the hearing. The idea here in proverbs is a little more developed in that it includes the idea of obedience.
The word “instruction” might better be translated as discipline which would open a world of even greater understanding tying these words to counsel of Hebrews 12 where a son is to receive the discipline of a father, so that they might produce “the fruit of righteousness and peace by all who are trained by it” [see Hebrews 12:11].
Continuing on in Proverb 8…
“(11) For wisdom is better than precious stones, and nothing desirable can compare with it.
(12) I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdness and have knowledge and discretion.”
Here I like the New King James Verson best. It renders the verse like this – “I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion.”
The KJV has, “…find out knowledge and witty inventions”, which I believe to be misleading to a modern audience. Most commonly in our day the idea of witty inventions conjures images of running to the patent office, whereas in reality it only means “discretion”.
This phrase is a translation of the Hebrew word (teh-oo-kâh), which is the key to understanding the phrase. It implies a deep understanding of how things work and the ability to apply that knowledge so as to create practical and beneficial outcomes.
So it could also be translated as “knowledge of sound and practical plans” or “knowledge of shrewd devices“.
The KJV’s “witty inventions” emphasizes the cleverness and ingenuity associated with wisdom, highlighting its ability to devise effective solutions and strategies.
The word “witty” in the KJV era (17th century) often meant skillful, ingenious, or clever, rather than simply humorous. This meaning aligns with the Hebrew word’s implication of wisdom – driven inventiveness.
Most modern interpretations tend to use phrases like “knowledge of sound judgment,” “knowledge of sound counsel,” or “knowledge of shrewd devices” to capture the nuances of the Hebrew term.
Verse 13…
“(13) To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
(14) I possess good advice and competence; I have understanding and strength.
(15) It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law;
(16) by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges.
(17) I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me.”
Wisdom’s value is compared with natural riches but only fleetingly. The reference is really more of a comparison.
The verse is not promising natural wealth to those who possess wisdom – though there are times where that will be the case. But the words themselves make it clear that this is LASTING WEALTH which corresponds to Jesus’ teaching about forsaking the accumulation of natural wealth where “moth and rust corrode and thieves can steal“, and focuses on true and lasting wealth which is stored up in heaven.
Consider the words here in verses 18-20 in that light.
“(18) With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness.
(19) My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver.
(20) I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, (21) giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.”
Now this is where the idea of wisdom being an actual spirit created by God is more than suggested. The words “made me” [or possessed me], “I was formed”, “I was brought forth”, “I was beside Him”, “rejoicing before Him”, “before His inhabited world” all indicate a being who is separate from God. So that it almost has to be either pure allegory or an actual spirit separate from God and therefore NOT simply a manifestation of the Holy Spirit and His work.
So let’s read it, starting in verse 22
“(22) The LORD made me at the beginning of His creation, before His works of long ago.
(23) I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began.
(24) I was brought forth when there were no watery depths and no springs filled with water. (25) I was brought forth before the mountains and hills were established, (26) before He made the land, the fields, or the first soil on earth.
(27) I was there when He established the heavens, when He laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean, (28) when He placed the skies above, when the fountains of the ocean gushed forth, (29) when He set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate His command, when He laid out the foundations of the earth.
(30) I was a skilled craftsman beside Him. I was His delight every day, always rejoicing before Him. (31) I was rejoicing in His inhabited world, delighting in the human race.”
Just to be clear, these phrases have many shades of meaning, not all of which indicate a point of origin, but some do! That being true does not categorically eliminate the idea that such phraseology is nothing more than an allegorical continuation of the personification of wisdom.
Continuing now on with verse 32…
“(32) And now, my sons, listen to me; those who keep my ways are happy.
(33) Listen to instruction and be wise; don’t ignore it!
(34) Anyone who listens to me is happy, watching at my doors every day, waiting by the posts of my doorway.”
These words in verse 34 are held in contrast to those spoken by Wisdom in both chapters 1 and 8 where she is said to be out in the streets, in the market place, at the city gates and in the open squares crying out to the sons of men.
Here we are told the one who is wise is waiting daily at her doorway. On her front porch so to speak – waiting to converse and learn from her!
“(35) For the one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, (36) but the one who sins against me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
When we compare this statement with that in Romans 8:5-8, which tells us that the mind set upon carnal things is death, we see confirmation that what occupies the mind, sets the course of our days to lead towards life, or death. Thus, an ongoing alliance with Wisdom, of seeking her and devoting ourselves to following her instructions, is indeed wise, lifegiving and places us within the sphere of God’s favor!
PS: At the end of this teaching a reference was made to George Washington Carver, a black scientist and inventor of the early 20th century. He was brilliant and celebrated by people of all races even during a time of polarizing racism. He was my personal hero as a young man and a great example of a person who sought wisdom. That having been said, I later looked him up and found that a few things I said about him were incorrect. This included attributing the “invention” of peanut butter to him. Though it makes me sad to have to forfeit this fond belief, he is still an international hero. A brilliant man and an ardent believer in Jesus Christ who I still greatly admire! And I will forever remember him every time I have a PBJ, regardless!
Blessings!
Tri
