Proverbs 8 - Introduction

Discourse 9. The Call of Ms Wisdom As The One Who Seeks Response, Gives Men True Instruction, Ensures Good Government, Enriches Men Physically and Spiritually, Was Present With God During Creation, And Blesses Men And Brings Them Into Life So That They Find God's Favour (Pro 8:1-36).

Having concentrated on the wiles of the woman who sought to lead men astray in chapter 7, we are now introduced again to Ms Wisdom who leads men in the right way. We were first introduced to her in Pro 1:20-33; Pro 3:13-20; Pro 4:6-9, and will meet her again in Pro 9:1-12. In this chapter, lest we think of her as just human wisdom, we learn that she is eternal, having been the instrument of God at creation, and now as ensuring on His behalf right living, just government, a wholesome life and God's blessing on those who hear her. She is YHWH's wisdom.

The passage divides up into six subsections:

1) Wisdom Calls On Men To Hear Her (Pro 8:1-4).

2) Wisdom Calls On The Naive And On Fools To Pay Heed To Her Words Because Her Instruction Is Both True And Valuable (Pro 8:5-13).

3) Wisdom Hates Evil Attitudes And Behaviour But Enables Just Government From Those Who Love Her (Pro 8:14-17).

4) Wisdom Gives Riches And Honour Both Physically And Spiritually To Those Who Love Her, And Enables Men To Walk Rightly (Pro 8:18-21).

5) Wisdom Was With God In Creation And Rejoices In His Ongoing Creation (Pro 8:22-31).

6) Wisdom Brings Blessing On Those Who Hear Her For Through Her They Find Life And Come Into The Favour Of God (Pro 8:32-36).