I’ve never been very good at the shell game. I’m usually more interested in a good performance than in getting the right answer, so I’m easily snookered by a decent sleight of hand. But wisdom doesn’t work that way. She doesn’t need misdirection or illusion. She tells it like it is, and those who love what she loves will get in good with her.
Proverbs 8 summarizes all Solomon has said about wisdom in Proverbs 1-7, by showing how nobodies become somebodies. The first stanza explains how wisdom is available to all people who choose truth over wickedness, righteousness over crookedness, and instruction over material gain.
1 Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights beside the way,
At the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 Beside the gates in front of the town,
At the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O men, I call,
And my cry is to the children of man.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,
And from my lips will come what is right,
7 For my mouth will utter truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,
And all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” (Prov 8:1-11, ESV)
We can break Solomon’s argument into six pieces
1. Wisdom is Available
Prov 8:1 presents the kind of question that is not really a question. It’s similar to the trial lawyer’s query, “Isn’t it true, that on the evening of June 8th, witnesses observed you arguing with my client in public?” The interrogator assumes the answer to be, “of course!” and doesn’t care what you actually have to say for yourself.
McKay Savage (2008), Creative Commons
So, too, in this case. “Does not wisdom call?” is not a true question. “Does not understanding raise her voice?” is more of an accusation than an investigation. Of course! She’s on the heights, at the crossroads, beside the gates, and at the entrance (Prov 8:2-3). Wherever people are to be found, she is there. She is available for us to find, anytime, anywhere.
2. To All People
Wisdom cries out in Prov 8:4 to “the children of man.” In Prov 8:5, she specifies simple ones and fools as the objects of her pleading.
According to Proverbs 1:1-6, there are three kinds of people. The wise person is moving toward the Lord. The foolish person is moving away from the Lord. The simple one stands at the crossroads, about to decide whether to head toward or away from the Lord. The Lord is always the reference point, and Proverbs defines people by their attitude toward him, which is why “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7).
Wisdom now begs all people to hear and receive her. Look, no ring! She’s available to any who have ears to hear.
3. Who Choose
Wisdom is a choice. Always. It does not fall upon some while missing others. Those who get her want her. Those who don’t get her wanted something else. Folly works the same way. Just as the adulterous woman aims to seduce (Prov 7:5, 21), wisdom tries to persuade.
There’s a choice between instruction and silver, between knowledge and gold (Prov 8:10). Since wisdom is better than jewels (Prov 8:11), it makes sense to choose one and not the other. All you desire cannot compare with wisdom (Prov 8:11).
4. Truth Over Wickedness
Wisdom speaks truth and despises wickedness (Prov 8:7). Those who love her for it become wise.
5. Righteousness Over Crookedness
All wisdom’s words are righteous and approved by God (Prov 8:6, 8). Therefore, those who love wisdom love what God loves and receive his favor.
Wisdom’s words have nothing crooked or perverted in them. You never have to second-guess them. You won’t have to figure out the meaning behind them. They won’t lead you in a hurtful direction, but keep you moving straight toward the Lord (Prov 8:9). Those who love and heed wisdom’s words become wise.
6. Instruction Over Material Gain
Morality usually doesn’t pay. Purity denies sexual urges. Self-discipline limits spending. Hard work goes unnoticed.
But in seeking wisdom—in knowing Jesus—we do not settle for the lesser pleasure (Prov 8:10-11). And wisdom is so infectious that we can say with John, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).
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