Wednesday: Wisdom’s Appeal
The last few verses of this proverb return to the personal — to the practical application of what it means to have wisdom. By contrast, the intellectual knowledge about wisdom’s preexistence, about wisdom’s presence at Creation, is certainly deep. But in the Bible, truth must always at some point come down to the human level and how we respond to what we have been given in Jesus.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
Read Proverbs 8:32-36. What life-and-death message is given here?
The Hebrew word translated as blessed
(NKJV) means happy
(see RSV). In this passage the word blessed
is attached to two propositions. The first one describes an action: Blessed are those who keep my ways
(Proverbs 8:32, NKJV). The same language is used in Psalm 119:1-2, in regard to the law: Blessed are the undefiled . . . who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies
(NKJV).
The second one describes an attitude: Blessed is the man who listens to me
(Proverbs 8:34, NKJV). In both cases the requirement implies a continuous effort. It is not enough to have discovered the right way; we have to keep it.
It is not enough to hear the word of God; we have to watch daily
and follow what we know. As Jesus put it: Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it
(Luke 11:28, NKJV).
Is this the happiness desirable which is to be found in the path of disobedience and transgression of physical and moral law? Christ’s life points out the true source of happiness and how it is to be attained. . . . If they would be happy indeed, they should cheerfully seek to be found at the post of duty, doing the work which devolves upon them with fidelity, conforming their hearts and lives to the perfect pattern.
— Ellen G. White, My Life Today, p. 162.
Happiness can be an elusive thing; the more we strive for it, the harder it seems for us to attain it. Why should faithfulness to God, as opposed to the pursuit of happiness, be our first priority? Besides, which is more likely to produce happiness (and why): seeking it, or seeking first the kingdom of God?
(26)
Wow what a wonderful message! The path to true happiness is the path of righteousness. All the instructions and commandments are guideposts to the path of abundant joy! Praise the LORD!
Proverbs 8:32-33 uses two words - Hear and listen. A few years ago I had the privilege of hearing Hein Wagner, a blind South African Motivational Speaker, share his life story. The Guinness Book of Records lists him as the fastest blind man on wheels at an incredible 200mph. Born blind, Hein has an attitude on life that puts most to shame. He has 5 rules for life beginning with 1. Greet every day with a smile! (http://www.expressoshow.com/articles/Hein-Wagner---Blind-To-Impossibility?articleID=2189). What has that to do our lesson? Hein learned at an early age to "hear" and "listen". By listening to his navigator's instructions he achieved one of his many goals! We, too, can achieve undreamed of heights if we daily listen (obey) to our Wisdom from God.
I believe we should seek first the Kingdom of God and everything will be added unto us (paraphrased). Mat 6:33. Meaning having faith in God and seeking him daily, doing what is right at all times surely will bring true happiness.
If keeping the commandments make one happy why is that many of the people among the remnant are not happy. As a first elder I am actually embarrass to see the faces of my brothers and sisters on a sabbath morning. If we are a blessed people who keep his commandment we should be happy but for some reason we are not.The truth is we are not inclined to listen to the words of wisdom we are caught up adhering to the foolishness of this world and we may at times try to juggle the two hence we are unhappy.
"Blessed is the man who listens to me (Proverbs 8:34, NKJV)...As Jesus put it: Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28, NKJV)."
The Lesson points out that BLESSINGS = HAPPINESS; therefore,
Let us be happy, NOT by chasing the American dream of a large house, late model car and money in the bank
BUT
Let us be happy by reading Genesis to Revelation and DOING what is in there!
This happiness is not dependent upon the stock market or interest rates or terrorist attacks, but upon what lasts: The promises of God.
Indeed we are in a continual warfare and there is no repose until either Jesus comes or until we die. As the lyrics of a beautiful song I know says:
"1
Christian, seek not yet repose,
Hear thy gracious Savior say;
Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray.
2
Principalities and powers,
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thy unguarded hours:
Watch and pray.
3
Gird thy heavenly armor on,
Wear it ever night and day;
Ambushed lies the evil one:
Watch and pray.
4
Hear the victors who o’ercame,
Still they mark each warrior’s way;
All with one sweet voice exclaim,
Watch and pray.
5
Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart His word:
Watch and pray.
6
Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray, that help may be sent down:
Watch and pray."
We are to watch and pray (Matthew 26v41) as we walk in the way of the wise - the children of obedience. So help us God! Amen!
Wisdom is appealing in the sense that creation echoes of the fact that there is an intelligent designer who put everything in place. even some famous evolutionist when he was on his death bed, testified that there must be intelligence to this grande design called nature.
if I were to proclaim wisdom as indicated in prov 8: 1-7, I would have to stand up for truth in the public where it is opposed. I would have to speak and act in a manner that is consistent with justice. I would have to endure risks as I try to communicate wisdom as commissioned. John cried in the wilderness, "prepare the way of the Lord," I have noted that all the verbs in the passage of proverbs are indicative of much effort from the person who is proclaiming wisdom. This is an eye opener for me!! We have family members who need the proclamation of salvation; it's not an easy task. How willing are we to inconvenience ourself, or take risks, or "cry " and "call " them to divine wisdom? I pray that the Holy Ghost will empower us to reach our loved ones!!
When it comes to wisdom, I would like to view it in light of 1 Corithians 1 verse 30 which say, ". . . Christ was made wisdom for us." If the wisdom in Proverbs 8 is Truth, then Truth is Christ who was made wisdom for us. John 14verse6.
Prov 8:34-35
34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
We've known wisdom intellectually but until we know it to practice what we've known, it remains in vain.
Christianity is practical and must be lived in a particular way - in the guidelines of God. There's a blessing and favour in following God's will. We must ask Him to help us know true happiness that's found in a life of knowing Him as opposed to mechanical keeping of His word with sadness within and without. It is burdensome.
We must know Him and have a relationship with Him, enough to smile at the storm, knowing the spiritual part of us is fed. And when it is, all other things will be added. True happiness in God is key and it comes with knowing and trusting and walking with Him. May He Himself help us to hear and to do
In Proverbs Wisdom has been personified, which stretches my mind to search to understand. The LORD gives us wisdom, the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and wisdom includes the knowledge of God but goes further, wisdom is involved in Creation in the same way as Jesus. So far I have not noticed a link between the Holy Spirit and wisdom but I am sure there is a link because Jesus said that the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. This quote from EGW describes the work of the Holy Spirit and could be describing the work of Wisdom as set out in Proverbs.
It is the Holy Spirit that causes to shine into darkened minds the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness; that makes men’s hearts burn within them with an awakened realization of the truths of eternity; that presents before the mind the great standard of righteousness, and convinces of sin; that inspires faith in Him who alone can save from sin; that works to transform character by withdrawing the affections of men from those things which are temporal and perishable, and fixing them upon the eternal inheritance. The Spirit recreates, refines, and sanctifies human beings, fitting them to become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.
This text is taken from Sons and Daughters of God by Ellen G. White. EGWWritings.org.
(Proverbs 8:35) For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord;
(Mathew 5:6) Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
When you walk in Righteousness, you find God, then you find Wisdom, then comes Life, which in turn brings happiness and satisfaction.
Often times we seek happiness for temporal things. They last but for a time and add no real value..Further we THINK they will bring us happiness and they dont. We need to seek God first and His peace. He will bless us with ALL we need. Ask Him to order our steps in HIS word and we cant go wrong. We must also learn to accept every decision as coming from him
God is the genesis of wisdom which needs to spread to all human beings to understand the goodness of God and His an ending Love.
Proverbs inspires me a lot coz it links how God created the universe and the same time gives guidance for a man to paver relationship with God•A wise man keeps what the word says ,like Moses followed the rules and instruction given by God the Creator!
As easy as God is hapiness; If God's in your life you must be happy