What a stark contrast from Proverbs 7 to 8! In chapter 7 we have a woman … dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent (7:10) and we read about her speaking with persuasive words [with which] she led him [the young man] astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. (7:21). Then in chapter 8 we find [Lady] wisdom (8:1) of whom it is said, I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. (8:6-8) To listen to and follow the former leads to a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death (7:27), while to listen and follow the latter we are promised, For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord (8:35).
The contrast could not be greater! As stark as black and white or death and life.
And so, now we turn to Proverbs 8, where, as mentioned, again we are introduced to “Lady Wisdom”, similar to 1:20-33 when Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares (1:20). It begins with a question:
Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind. 5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
Her message is an urgent one! Set your hearts on wisdom! It remains an urgent message even today. It’s an urgent message to all mankind, for all time! A message of wise words because they are “grounded in the fear of the Lord. [For] there is no other wisdom. There is only one source: the Lord. Wisdom’s speech here has that truth at the heart of it.” (# 55)
Firstly, let us consider today, “the nature of her words.” (# 55) She says of her speech:
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
“Wisdom’s words can be trusted, for she will speak ‘noble things’ and ‘what is right;’ she will ‘utter truth,’ words that are ‘righteous’ and ‘straight.’ We’re reminded of the ‘crooked speech’ that we’ve been warned about (4:24; 6:12) and that we’ve heard coming from another woman’s mouth (7:14-20). Wisdom explicitly notes that ‘there is nothing twisted or crooked’ in her words (8:8).” (# 55)
Consider these last underlined words in comparison to the adulterer’s twisted and crooked words, for example, in chapter 7:18 where she says to the foolish young man: Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! Goldsworthy comments: “Here is the real deceit in immorality; The notion that physically oriented romance can satisfy one’s deepest longings for mutual love and commitment appeals to the simple. In reality it is a fraudulent claim.” (# 53) The end result is frustration and emptiness and shame.
How we need this wisdom in these days, living in a world full of lies, deceit and fraudulent claims. And this wisdom is available to us in a right relationship with God. To find such wisdom is worth more than silver and gold as we are reminded here:
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Let me conclude with the words of Timothy Keller:
“Perhaps the greatest encouragement in this passage is easily missed. Wisdom is literally seeking us. Proverbs 8 depicts Wisdom as an actual person, ‘so that our search, earnest as it has to be… is a response, not an uncertain quest.’ [quoting Kidner] Who is that person? The New Testament reveals it to be Jesus himself, ‘the power of God and the wisdom of God’ (1 Corinthians 1:24) … In the end, the main way to become wise is to have a personal relationship with him, to set our heart on him. And anyone can do that, regardless of status or education.” (# 51)
Do you have such a relationship with Jesus, the true source of wisdom?
Today his voice can be heard aloud in the street, … in the public squares. Another invitation and he says to you and me:
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 Message)
Worship and Wisdom - Psalms and Proverbs 