Evan Leeson (2008), Creative Commons
We often think of wisdom as something otherworldly, like the sound of one hand clapping or the ability to be incomprehensibly vague. That’s why we find Eastern mysticism so alluring, and why we fall for crazy, less-than-biblical, escapist sentiments like “leave all your cares behind as you come into worship this morning.”
And in Proverbs 8, Wisdom’s great praise of herself, Solomon will clarify that wisdom is otherworldly. Or more precisely, pre-worldly (Prov 8:22-31). But before he gets there, he makes sure to inform us that wisdom’s effects and benefits are very much this-worldly.
Remember Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back? He gave his student, Luke, a chance to raise his star fighter from the swamp by means of “the Force.” When Luke assumed Yoda was asking the impossible, Yoda proved he was not by performing the task himself. In response to Luke’s exasperated “I don’t believe it,” Yoda’s retort summarizes the problem with other-worldly mysticism: “That is why you fail.”
Do you believe wisdom can make a difference in your life now? Do you understand that wisdom will not take you away from your life but toward it? Wisdom will give you not only the insight but also the motivation and the gumption to do what God wants you to do. And it will be worth it.
Through my study of Proverbs 1-7, I’ve written many posts on what wisdom does, including:
- helping you honor God with your money
- coping with disappointment
- gaining satisfaction
- learning humility
- finding hope that anything can change
- protecting against sexual immorality
Here in Proverbs 8:12-21, we see 5 things wisdom won’t ever do in this life, according to God’s promise.
Wisdom won’t run out
“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion. (Prov 8:12, ESV)
Wisdom dwells with prudence. If she gets lonely, she knows how to find knowledge and discretion. Her friends are legion, and her well of insight cannot dry up. You will never exhaust what wisdom can do for you. Complicated relationship? Unforeseen financial crisis? Physiological changes? Wisdom always has more to offer.
Wisdom won’t pander to pride
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate. (Prov 8:13)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7), setting you on wisdom’s path. The alternate path—the way of evil—has its own beginning, which wisdom despises: pride, arrogance, and perverted speech. Wisdom won’t let you promote yourself with arrogant thoughts or words that pervert the truth about you. This is in your best interest, because God won’t have to oppose you (Prov 3:34).
Wisdom won’t let you down
I have counsel and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.
By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly. (Prov 8:14-16)
Wisdom will strengthen you to execute your responsibility well. Wisdom has both insight and strength. If you are a king, wisdom enables you to reign and make just decrees. If you’re a mere prince or noble, you have the same promise. In other words, if God has given you a responsibility, his wisdom will help you to carry it out.
Wisdom won’t play hard to get
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me. (Prov 8:17)
All you must do is seek her, and she’s yours. What are you waiting for?
Wisdom won’t leave you empty-handed
Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.” (Prov 8:18-21)
Wisdom has riches and honor for you, but not the kind of riches and honor you might think. This stuff is enduring wealth (Prov 8:18), nothing less than complete righteousness and favor with God (Prov 8:35).
Here’s the rub: To get what wisdom offers in this world, you must give up what you can get from this world. Since fearing the Lord means giving up all claims to self-righteousness, you must come empty-handed. But the empty hand that loves wisdom becomes a full and bursting treasury (Prov 8:21).
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