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Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8:1-7

Wisdom Cries Out

Intro.

1. Job observed that God is the source of wisdom, Job 28:20-27.

2. Key word of Proverbs is wisdom, "the ability to live life skillfully".

a. The prudent, skillful way of applying knowledge, Prov. 1:1-4.

b. Living a godly life in an ungodly world requires wisdom, Jas. 3:13.

3. Wisdom is very practical, needed to properly relate to God, parents, children, spouses, neighbors, government...not to mention brethren, oneself...and also temptation and sin... Example: Prov. 29:11. (Gal. 2:20)

4. Proverbs 8 personifies wisdom and her appeal to humanity. We are wise to hear and heed her call; fools despise wisdom. Prov. 1:7

I. WISDOM CRIES OUT FOR OUR ATTENTION, 8:1-6 (1:20-22).

-Like a merchant hawking her wares, wisdom is where she is most likely to find an audience (8:2-3). Wisdom is attainable by the common people, cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-29.

A. The Naive and Foolish Must Want to Hear Wise Counsel.

1. Wisdom is attainable, Prov. 1:5; 8:17.

2. The desire for wisdom is a heart matter, Prov. 1:28-33; 2:10-11.

B. Wisdom brings Understanding and Strength, 8:12, 14-16.

1. Why we must put our faith in Jesus, Col. 2:3.

2. Wisdom knows the best course is always the way Jesus teaches.

II. WISDOM'S MARKERS: TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, 8:7-8.

A. Fear the Lord and Hate Evil, 8:13 (1:7; 9:10); Job 28:28.

1. Wisdom obeys God's commands, Psa. 111:10. (truth)

2. Warning to all who do not choose to fear God, Prov. 1:22, 29.

B. Wisdom Uses Discretion (care) toward God and Men, 8:12.

1. Wisdom puts knowledge into prudent action, cf. Prov. 3:21-26.

2. Christ's counsel to apostles, Matt. 10:16.

3. Not enough to know what is right; We must skillfully do what is right to advance godliness instead of causing more problems, Jas. 3:13-18. Heavenly wisdom bears peaceable fruit; worldly wisdom yields turmoil.

III. WISDOM IS PLAIN AND RIGHT, 8:9.

A. Understanding the Lord's Will develops Wisdom, Eph. 5:17; 1:7-9. Wisdom to convert, to obey, to mature...

-Requires faith in His word to choose to apply it - this is wisdom, Col. 1:9-10.

B. Wisdom brings Bold Confidence in God's Truth, 2 Cor. 3:12.

1. of 4483; all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by impl. assurance:—bold (× -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, × freely, × openly, × plainly (-ness).^[1]

2. Wisdom does not masquerade itself; it is open and courageous to do what is right in God's sight, cf. 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 4:20.

IV. WE MUST VALUE WISDOM TO BECOME WISE, 8:10-11 (18-21).

-Job observed that men cut deeps shafts into the earth to find precious minerals (Job 28:1-11), then notes the priceless value of wisdom, Job 28:1-11, 12-13. (Note: Job 28:28) Prov. 3:13-15

A. Devalue Our Wisdom and Magnify God's Wisdom, 1 Cor. 3:18-21.

B. Why We Must Value Wisdom from Above, Prov. 8:22-35.

1. Wisdom was God's companion before creation, Prov. 8:22-26 (cf. the church Eph. 3:8-11).

2. Wisdom was God's master craftsman during creation, Prov. 8:27-31; 3:19-20.

3. Wisdom can be our companion and bring blessings, Prov. 8:32-35.

a. Accept its teaching and follow its ways, 8:32-33. Matt. 7:24-25

b. Obtain God's favor, 8:34-35; 3:13-18.

V. THE FOOL REJECTS WISDOM, 8:36.

A. To Reject God's Wisdom is Sin against God and Oneself, Rom. 1:21-22. A moral offense against God that destroys oneself.

B. To Hate God's Wisdom is to Love Death. Prov. 1:32-33; Matt. 7:26-27.

-Complacency and self-satisfaction leads to eternal destruction!

Conclusion

1. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple, Psa. 19:7.

2. The gospel is the "wisdom of God", 1 Cor. 1:18-25.

3. Will you be wise or foolish? Learn and apply God's word - be wise - and have God's favor now and eternally.

^[1] Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 56). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: June 23, 2015