S) "35 'For he who finds me finds life
And obtains favor from the Lord.
36 'But he who [n]sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death.'"
Proverbs 8:35-36 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 8
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 8
O) In terms of the poetic books, this chapter has always been one of my favorites. Solomon personifies wisdom in this chapter, giving her a female voice. She tells of her deep value, which is better than any precious metal or stone. Then she goes on to describe how she was born for God in ancient times, and stood with God through the creation of the world. Finally, we get to the closing verses (above), and she says simply, that finding her is the same as finding life. It is that serious. Finding her means obtaining favor from the LORD. These are the absolute highest benefits anything could have. There is literally nothing better than to have life, and to have favor with God. Then there is a warning in the last verse, about the danger of not having wisdom. It's notable in the last verse(which is why I left the footnote!), "sins against me" can also be, "misses me," and when we look all the way back up to vv.3-4, that makes a lot of sense. It's almost presenting two levels of warning, there. There is the passive missing of Wisdom's call, but also the active hatred of Wisdom. The one surely means injury, but the other means death.
A) First, I must recognize that wisdom comes from God, through the revelation of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Many people will be wiser than me, and some may have less wisdom than me, but if we are all in Christ, then we have the same favor with the LORD, because the favor I have is based on the righteous character of Jesus Christ, Himself, which is imparted to us in grace. So, I cannot chase wisdom, thinking I will find more favor with God. I could not actually have any more favor than I do, because I am already in Christ, and He is as favored as anyone will ever be. Even still, I can do myself harm if I turn deaf ears to wisdom's call. I must always remain humble, and seek wisdom, because that will give me discipline, maturity, and growth, that I may live a life of obedience to the LORD. In Christ, I am already favored and have life. With wisdom, I may bless the LORD more fully.
P) Father, thank You for opening my ears to the call of wisdom, even as much as You already have. I know that I have been given some level of wisdom already, even in the grace that I believed the gospel. That was wisdom. However, I know that there is an immeasurable amount of wisdom I still lack. So please keep me humble, and teachable, that I may seek wisdom actively, and never shut her out. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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