Day 8: Wisdom cries out (8:1)

“Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?”

A dominant theme of these early chapters is of the all too prevalent lure of sin, in contrast to the call of wisdom, yet can be countered by wisdom: violence and protection (ch. 1); perverseness and righteousness (ch. 2); arrogance and humility (ch. 3); darkness and light (ch. 4); adultery and marital love (ch. 5); laziness and diligence (ch. 6); sexual temptation and purity (ch. 7). All this is covered, and much else besides, in wisdom’s cry, which is loud and open and to all persons, high and low, and the result of which is fruit that lasts a lifetime.

As for lady wisdom, in contrast to that which is sin: “my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (8:7-11). As for wisdom’s rewards: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me … My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver …That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” (8:17,19, 21).

Then what may come as a surprise, yet important in establishing the value of wisdom, is a section that takes us way back to the beginning of time: “The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was” (8:22,23). We then read about the various acts of creation, and always wisdom was there: “I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men” (8:30,31). We are told (John 1:1-3) Jesus was with God in the beginning and he is also wisdom: “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” 1 Corinthians 1:24 and “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Colossians 2:3. This chapter ends, reminding us of the stark choice facing us all, either by finding wisdom or rejecting it: “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death” (8:35,36).

Prayer: we thank you that Jesus is the wisdom of God, who was with you in the beginning. We thank you wisdom is ever crying out and can be found by the least of us. We thank you for the rich rewards given to those who find wisdom. May it be that we continually walk in the path of wisdom and reject that of sin.