Summary: Wisdom is proclaimed, propagated and publicized to everyone at everywhere. Simple and foolish people should learn prudence. Wisdom brings many benefits, rewards and blessings. God promised Riches, Wealth, Money, Prosperity and Honour to those whose live Wisely, loving and honouring God.
Wisdom's Call (NIV).
The Gifts of Wisdom (RSV).
The Excellence of Wisdom (NKJV).
1 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 4 “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind. (NIV)
1 Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
2 2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.
3 3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:
4 4 “To you, O men, I call,And my voice is to the sons of men. (NKJV)
Principles of Wisdom and Understanding are proclaimed loudly (call out, cry out, raise her voice, lift up her voice) from strategic places (hilltop, beside the road, at road junctions, at city gates, at entry of city, at entrance doors). Wisdom and Understanding are widely propagated and publicized to everywhere. Wisdom and Understanding are taught and instructed to all people, intended for everyone.
Dissemination of this Wisdom and Understanding is not for the angels, but for we human beings. Wisdom and Understanding are prominently publicized. There is no excuse that we do not know or never heard of Wisdom precepts.
5 5 O simple ones, learn prudence;
O foolish men, pay attention.
6 6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right;
7 7 for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips. (RSV)
5 5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness. (NIV)
5 5 O you simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
6 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
7 7 For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. (NKJV)
Simple and foolish people should learn up about Prudence and Understanding.
Output of Wisdom are:
1) Excellent and Noble things.
2) Trustworthy sayings.
3) Saying the Right things. Doing what is Right.
4) Truth. Speaking what is True.
Wickedness is totally against Wisdom. All forms of wickedness, evil and sins are bad. It is NOT wise to think, say and do according to path of Wickedness. Wickedness can appear in many forms, just as there are many types of sins. Wickedness is an abomination!
8 8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 9 They are all straight to him who understands
and right to those who find knowledge. (RSV)
8 8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge. (NIV)
The words of Wisdom are:
1) Righteous and just.
2) Not twisted, not crooked, not perverse.
3) Right and correct. Ability to discern good and evil.
4) Straight, efficient and effective pathway.
5) Upright and the right choice, for the knowing.
In conclusion, words of Wisdom are all good and beneficial.
10 10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 11 for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. (RSV)
10 10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her. (NIV)
10 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 11 For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. (NKJV)
Value and appreciate Wisdom above money and wealth.
Instruction is worth more that Silver and Money.
Knowledge is worth more than Choice Gold and Wealth.
Wisdom is more valuable than Jewels, Rubies, Diamonds and Precious Gemstones.
Wisdom is more beneficial than our our worldly desires.
12 12 I, wisdom, dwell in prudence,[a]
and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate. (RSV)
Another output of Wisdom are:
1) Prudence.
2) Knowledge.
3) Discretion.
We can see that there are so many virtues that we will gain by living a life of Wisdom.
Fear the Lord, love God, honour God, hating evil....these are the foundation of precepts of Wisdom.
13 13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech. (NIV)
Examples of evil which we believers must hate include:
1) Pride and arrogance.
2) Evil behaviour.
3) Perverse and perverted speech. Lies. Slander. False accusation.
14 14 I have counsel and sound wisdom,
I have insight, I have strength.
15 15 By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
16 16 by me princes rule,
and nobles govern[b] the earth. (RSV)
14 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15 15 By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 16 by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth. (NIV)
Wisdom is empowering. Wisdom provides the counsel, sound judgement, insight, power and strength for Kings, Rulers, Princes and Noble to reign, rule and govern. Likewise, as Leaders, we also need to be empowered by Wisdom, which will provide us the sound judgement, insight and understanding, power and strength in our leadership role.
Wise Leader will win favour by his team. Wise Leader will gain much honour and respect from the team. Wise Leader who is guided by precepts of Wisdom will say, plan and do the wise and right things.
17 17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
18 18 Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
20 20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
21 21 endowing with wealth those who love me,
and filling their treasuries. (RSV)
Wisdom belongs to those who love wisdom and love God, and those who seek wisdom. Those who love and find Wisdom will be rewarded with Riches and Honour, lasting Wealth and Prosperity. The path of Wisdom is the way of Righteousness and Justice. Those who are righteous and just will rewarded with Wealth and much Money. The end result of Wisdom is better than fine gold and silver, better than Wealth and Money.
How wonderful to live wisely with Wisdom and Understanding? How great it is to love and honour God? If we live in Wisdom, loving and honouring God, we will be blessed and rewarded with Money, Riches, Wealth, Prosperity and Honour.
Sunday - Monday, Jan 12-13, 2014.
Michael Yeap.
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=NIV
RSV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%208&version=RSV
NKJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=NKJV
Commentaries:
1) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.8.1-Prov.8.11
2) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.8.12-Prov.8.21
3)
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