Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Wisdom’s Benefit, Proverbs 8:12-22

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Proverbs 8:12–22

[12] “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

and I find knowledge and discretion.

[13] The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

[14] I have counsel and sound wisdom;

I have insight; I have strength.

[15] By me kings reign,

and rulers decree what is just;

[16] by me princes rule,

and nobles, all who govern justly.

[17] I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me.

[18] Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

[19] My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

[20] I walk in the way of righteousness,

in the paths of justice,

[21] granting an inheritance to those who love me,

and filling their treasuries.

[22] “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work,

the first of his acts of old. (ESV)

Wisdom’s Benefit

In this passage, Solomon continues his reintroduction of divine wisdom as a first-person narrative by Wisdom herself. She echos the words of Proverbs 1:2-7, describing herself as being prudent, knowledgeable, and discrete. Earlier, wisdom instructed that the beginning of fearing the Lord is knowledge and understanding. Now, in verse thirteen, the fear of the Lord is described as the hatred of evil. Evil is explained as pride, arrogance, an evil way, and a perverse mouth. Following wisdom's teachings, then, is the path to fearing the Lord and avoiding the path of evil.

In Job 12:13, Job identifies Wisdom as divine and describes it: “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.” In verse fourteen of our passage today, Wisdom is described as having council, sound wisdom, insight, and strength. Divine Wisdom is Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh. Upon Christ rests the sevenfold spirit of God (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16; John 1:32–33). These attributes are wisdom, understanding, advice, strength, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.

Wisdom does not benefit a ruler who rejects her, nor does she benefit anyone who refuses to listen to her. Only those who love wisdom will be loved by her. Compare this to how Jesus teaches that He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6; see also Acts 4:12). Only those who diligently seek divine wisdom will find her. See also how James encourages us to seek Wisdom (James 1:5-8).

In verses 18-19, Wisdom repeats what has previously been said in Proverbs 8:18-19). This time, she describes herself as better than precious metals but describes herself as "fruit." Metals can be mined only once. Fruit, and therefore Wisdom, is a treasure that can be had year after year to nourish, and the seeds can be planted for a future harvest and "everlasting wealth" (v.18). Compared this with the words of Christ in Luke 12:21, 33-34. Paul also names Christ as the source of eternal riches for all baptized believers (Ephesians 1:7, 18; 2:7; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:27; 2:2; 1 Timothy 6:19). Perhaps the most important of these passages in Ephesians 3:8-10:

“[8] To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [9] and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, [10] so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (ESV).

Once again, Wisdom is described as the lamp that lights the path of righteousness. Knowledge and understanding of who Christ is and what He has done is the light upon the path to everlasting life; as Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6).