Proverbs 8:22-36 – The beginning and end of wisdom

Reading these verses reminds us of what the Apostle John said in his Gospel. In John 1:1-3, he said, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” So, just as the Word, Christ Jesus, Wisdom was with God in eternity past and already existed before the beginning of anything. In reality, Wisdom, Jesus Christ and the Word are intricately bound. They are one and the same. Simply put: Wisdom = Christ = the Word. These three are synonymous. In these verses we can see that it was Wisdom that brought the beginning of all things. 

Wisdom is from everlasting says verse 3, just as Jesus is eternal and one with the Father. This is what Jesus said in His prayer in John 17:5. And Proverbs 8:24-26 asserted clearly that Wisdom was there at the creation morning. Before God made the water, the mountains, the earth, the fields, and even the “dust of the world,” the matter that was used to construct the physical world, Wisdom was there. And it is with this Wisdom that God stretched out the heavens and the firmament. The skies above the earth that circle, spread and stretch to cover the globe is the mark of His handiwork. Even the waters of the deep and the foundation of the earth are similarly set by the Wisdom of God. And as Wisdom delights in seeing to the formation of the world and the universe, and makes earth a fit dwelling place for mankind. Wisdom will also delight to take her place in man who seeks after her.  

So, Wisdom offers to guide us, the children of the Almighty, to discover true joy in living. Those who find, follow, hear and keep the way of Wisdom will experience joy and gladness and experience true happiness. In verses 32-36, the teacher prescribes that Wisdom should be pursued eagerly. Firstly, we must listen. To do so we need to be attentive. Secondly, we need to anticipate and watch for Wisdom, so that we will not miss her. Those who listen and earnestly seek Wisdom will receive life and favor from God. Those of us who have come to know Christ and acknowledge Him as our Lord, can attest to it. By faith we have obtained the everlasting life that Christ in wisdom offers. In Christ, personified by Wisdom in these verses, we truly have life everlasting and will not experience eternal death or be separated from God forever. Glory to His name!