For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. Proverbs 8:11
Better than All the Things One may Desire
Solomon praises wisdom. Much debate has developed over 12-31, which pictures wisdom as a woman and speaks as if she has separate identity as a person. To some this is merely a literary device. Others argue that there is a relationship between “wisdom” and the NT “Logos,” or Word of John 1. There “Word” is a title for Christ. However, no NT passage refers to Christ as “wisdom,” or refers to this proverb, so it is best to take Solomon’s language as a picturesque way of dramatizing the way of wisdom to which Solomon calls his people.
8:1-11 Chapter 8 is a hymn of praise about how wonderful wisdom is. Does not wisdom cry out: wisdom wants to reach everyone and therefore broadcasts her message publicly, unlike the immoral woman, who uses privacy and deception to achieve her goals. Wisdom’s words can be trusted, and her offers of grace are beneficial. Her words of truth contrast with the lies of wickedness; wisdom will deliver on her promises; she is not a tawdry tease. What wisdom offers is of inestimable worth, far more valuable than silver and gold; no gems or other desirable things may be compared with it.
1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. 3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: 4 “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
8:12, 3 The words I, wisdom, dwell with prudence introduce the second section of this passage about the excellence of wisdom. Again in this context, we see wisdom tied directly to the fear of the Lord. The offer of wisdom is held out only to those who fear God. Coming to wisdom requires coming to God, and coming to God means turning away from all that God hates – evil, pride, arrogance, misbehavior, and perverse speech. Jesus said that the truth is found in Him (John 8:32).
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. John 8:32
8:14 – 18 princes… nobles… judges: Power and authority require the use of wisdom; this is one of its loftiest appeals. What’s more, wisdom leads those who follow her to riches and honor. These contrast directly with the shameful fate of the fool.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. 17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.
8:22-31 This section describes wisdom’s role in creation. The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way: The Hebrew verb for possessed can mean “brought forth” or “created.” Melchizedek used the same word to identify God as creator of the universe (see Gen. 14:19). God, who is ever wise, produced wisdom; God, who possesses all knowledge, brought forth knowledge. Wisdom had a beginning only in the sense that God singled it out for special display at that time; insofar as it is one of God’s perfections, it has always existed. These verses provide part of the background for the NT portrayal of Christ as the divine Word and as the wisdom of God.
22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primeval dust of the world. 27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.
8:30, 31 The term master craftsman speaks of an artisan or of a darling child. Wisdom is both. With wisdom’s skill, God created the universe. A proper study of the universe is a progressive discovery of God’s wisdom (see Rom. 1:20). Delight: in her playful childlike exuberance, Wisdom is a darling child. And her greatest joy comes in the finest of the work of God – the sons of men – that is, humankind.
30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.
8:32-36 Now therefore, listen to me, my children: This section is the epilogue of the ch. 8 hymn of praise. It calls everyone to listen. Wisdom offers blessing and life to those who heed her, but cursing and death to those who hate her. Wisdom’s gracious invitation is more desirable than anything and an invitation to a blessed life.
32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”
** When it is no other than King Solomon who wrote about wisdom, we can trust that he knew what he was talking about. Because when he became the king of Judah and was asked what he desired from the Lord, he asked for wisdom. God was pleased with this request so much that He gave Solomon riches and honor as well. This chapter is Solomon’s testimony. When we seek wisdom, we will indeed receive it along with riches and honor that will be with us forever.
8 1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. 3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: 4 “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. 17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. 20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. 22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primeval dust of the world. 27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men. 32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”
