The American Wisdom Series
http://www.americanwisdomseries.com
THE
PROVERBS
Chapter 8
Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our
studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or
understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be
accurate we may or may not be correct. #2.
The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew
text has some words which were given different translations at different places
probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think
God meant to say. For example:
According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the
Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to
pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some
reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives
the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we
believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word
of God.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from
the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he
shall testify of me:
John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you
into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me:
for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/
THE PROVERBS
Chapter 8
"Wisdom's Call 1-9."
"Wisdom Self-commended 10-31."
"Wisdom personified 22-31."
"Before Creation. 23-29"
In that all wisdom comes from God, wisdom is calling here to those that will listen. In this chapter we will observe some of the emotions of God, and those things that most people are not aware of.
Proverbs 8:1 "Doth not wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice?"
Wisdom is crying out to all those that will use their common sense and listen to the voice of wisdom.
Proverbs 8:2 "She standeth in the top of high places, By the way in the places of the paths."
Though each of us try to stay on the righteous path of our Lord, but even when we stray from that path, wisdom will be there to help. Common sense will alert you that you have gone too far, it's time to repent and get back on the path. Once you study the Word and place it in your mind and soul, it is there all the time to bring remembrance. Wisdom will always lead you correctly.
Proverbs 8:3 "She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, At the coming in at the doors."
"The gate" is the place of judgment; and once you have placed wisdom into your mind, it gives you discernment to keep you heading in the right direction.
Proverbs 8:4 "Unto you, O men, I call; And my voice is to the sons of man."
Wisdom is directed to all those that will accept Christ, the Son of man. Wisdom is for "whosoever will" that seek wisdom.
Proverbs 8:5 "O ye simple, understand wisdom: And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart."
"Simple" as used here is directed to the "unsuspecting", it doesn't mean feeble minded. Remember the ten virgins that waited for the coming of Christ in that parable, well, five of those virgins were unsuspecting and just not ready for the coming of their husband, Christ. There are many today that believe that they are all right, however they have rejected some important parts of Scripture that would make them aware of Satan's coming in his role as the Antichrist 5 months prior to Jesus' return.. They were taken by the wrong husband (Satan, the spurious messiah), taken unsuspecting by and through their biblical illiteracy. They just were not aware of the signs and events of what would happen in the latter days. That is who he is talking to in this verse and calling them "simple". Wisdom is crying out to all those that need help, asking them to use common sense. Wisdom will give to all those that ask for help.
Proverbs 8:6 "Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; And the opening of my lips shall be right things."
"Hear", listen, for you are about to receive some important information.
Proverbs 8:7 "For my mouth shall speak truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips."
Any deception and lie is an abomination to God. When wisdom is present, deception cannot operate.
Proverbs 8:8 "All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing froward or perverse in them."
These are the words that wisdom speak, and there is nothing twisted or crafty and evil in them to deceive you.
Proverbs 8:9 "They are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge."
The words of wisdom make sense to those that listen to wisdom, its called using common sense.
Proverbs 8:10 "Receive my instruction, and not silver; And knowledge rather than choice gold."
Wisdom is not for sale at any price for it is one of God's gifts to man, and all he has to do is reach out and take it. However it takes time to open the Scriptures and read them for yourself.
Proverbs 8:11 "For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."
It's worth is more valuable than any thing that applies to these flesh bodies; gold, silver, rubies, or the accumulation of the wealth of money or land. Nothing can be compared to wisdom. True wisdom is a gift from God to you, and there just isn't any price on it. Wisdom comes from Christ's teachings that from the Father, spoken through the prophets, written in the Word of God. However it requires work on your part; to read, study, and listen to the Holy Spirit as He calls wisdom to our remembrance.
Proverbs 8:12 "I wisdom dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge of witty inventions."
"Prudence" is discretion., the ability of using ones sound judgment in practical matters, especially when dealing with your personal matters. It is the ability to use caution and common sense with the control of your wealth and time. "Witty inventions" is an old Anglo-Saxon word that applies to your ability to know right from wrong instantly. Once you have "witty inventions" you don't have to be taught, but it becomes an instinct.
Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancey, and the evil way, And the froward mouth, do I hate.."
This verse goes back to the six things that God hates from the sixth chapter, plus the seventh that is an abomination to Him. The reverence of the Lord is to hate evil: included in things that are evil, is pride at the top of the list. "Arrogancey, and the evil way"; but the froward mouth is the deceitful mouth, always planning deceitful ways and using gossip against others. It is disputing with others even over trivial matters. According to this verse; God is telling us that wisdom hates the same things that God does. Why? All wisdom comes directly from God.
Remember back in Job 28:28 where Zophar gave us his definition of "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom..." To Zophar, wisdom was the policy of fearing the Lord, however here in proverbs, that fear or reverence must come from the heart, the mind of the individual, but to "hate" it comes only from Divine wisdom. By nature men love evil. Jesus told us in Matthew 7:21; "Not every one that saith unto Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father Which is in heaven." This is not an individual speaking here in Proverbs, but the wisdom that you can take to yourself and use all the days of your life.
Proverbs 8:14 "Counsel is mine, and sound, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength."
Again, go back to Proverbs 2:7; "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." "Sound wisdom" in the Hebrew text is "tushiyah", which is that which is stability. Wisdom is something that you can count on every time and it will give you strength.
Proverbs 8:15 "By me kings reign. And princes decree justice."
When there is order in the land, it comes through the wisdom of the king or government that reigns. God's truth is the only justice that there is.
Proverbs 8:16 "By me princes rule, And nobles, even all the judges of the earth."
The early Aramean or Chaldee, and Syriac versions of the Hebrew translations do not have "earth" [erez] as stated here; however they read "zedek" which are the "righteous judges". I personally feel that I have to go with the ancient manuscripts declaring "righteous judges" are the "Zedek". God told us in Ezekiel 44 that it will be the Zadok [zedek] that will be the judges to judges in the millennium age of Christ's kingdom.
Proverbs 8:17 "I love them that love me; And those that seek me early shall find me."
Remember just how close that wisdom is to our heavenly Father, Wisdom and our Father declare that "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." That isn't hard to understand for it is common, "I love them that love me." The point then is; Do you love God, and wisdom? "Early", as stated here should read, "diligently". So if you seek God's wisdom to bless your life and you use wisdom's rules and proverbs to govern your life, God will give them to you and bless you for it. God will bless you in all avenues of your life, at home, at work and in dealing with other people. Seek wisdom.
Proverbs 8:18 "Riches and honour are with me; Yea, durable riches and righteousness."
When you practice common sense and the wisdom from the Proverbs, they will bring riches and honor to you. Those durable riches come with righteousness, and no one needs to apologize for the blessings that come from doing it God's Way.
Proverbs 8:19 "My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my revenue than choice silver."
To gain huge amounts of gold and silver will not bring happiness and honor on it's own. However the fruit that you receive from following God's ways, in the paths of wisdom, will bring you satisfaction and pleasure. The joy of enjoying your wealth that came by doing it God's way, is by knowing that is was a blessing earned by you from God. It brings peace of mind and happiness, and with wisdom you will be able to keep it.
Proverbs 8:20 "I lead in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of judgment:"
Wisdom will lead you into a way of righteousness in what ever you do. The "paths of Judgment" are the different ways that you choose to run your life. Wisdom will keep you on the smooth way to your success in life.
Proverbs 8:21 "That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; And I will fill their treasures."
An inheritance is something that belongs to you, and has a value, but you have to take what is rightfully yours. It can't be forced upon you. Wisdom will cause you to desire those things of inheritance that are rightfully yours, and God is promising that He will fill your treasures in your life. Wisdom will cause or show you to way to obtain those substances of your desire. Stop and think for a moment what this is saying; Having the wisdom that gives you peace of mind, and the right to all the inheritance of the promises that God gives you through His Word, gives you a definite advantage in this life in the flesh. Remember that God created it all, and it is His to give to whom He desires. He will give you only that which you are able to take care of. Remember, love people and use things, and not the other way around; that of loving things and using people.
Proverbs 8:22 "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, Before His works of old."
God's "works of old" are the creation of this entire world, including the stars in the heavens and the sun and all the heavenly bodies. It was in prior to that first earth age when God created all the souls, including Satan's soul. Wisdom was with God even before your soul and this entire universe was created. Stop and think on that for a minute. There is one point in time, before anything else existed, that wisdom was there with God. God foreordained that you have wisdom before your soul ever existed. Stop and think how important that wisdom and common sense are; then start applying it to bring fruit within your life. Give God the credit for sharing that wisdom with you and making it part of your eternal inheritance.
So, The Lord possessed or caused me to be created in the beginning of His way. God's way is His plan for not only you, but for the eternity. This happened even before the creation of the first earth age ["before His works of old"].
Proverbs 8:23 "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Or ever the earth was."
"Everlasting" is from the moment of the first creation, without break, continuing through all the ages and without end in the eons of time. From before the foundation of this earth age and continuing on as long as this earth ["erets"] was or shall be in existence.
Proverbs 8:24 "When there were no depths, I was brought forth; When there were no fountains abounding with water."
When there were no abyss, wisdom was here; Even before anything that you can see or imagine when you look around you, wisdom was here.
Proverbs 8:25 "Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth:"
It was God that brought all the mountains, the waters of the seas and rivers into existence.
Proverbs 8:26 "While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the highest part of the dust of the world."
"The highest part of the dust of the world" is the most minute particle of the part of an atom. Before God formed the particles that go to make up the elements that this earth is made of, Wisdom was there with God. God used that wisdom to speak, and nothing became "the erets", the earth.
Proverbs 8:27 "When He prepared the heavens, I was there: When He set a compass upon the face of the depth:"
This verse lets us know that the heavens were created before the earth we live on came into existence. The compass as stated here is a perfect circle, it is set in place by a stable point in the center. We are not just talking about a circle but a path, a perfect plan whereby all nature is set in motion, from the animal and plant life, to the planets and bodies of mass floating in the universe. You are part of that perfect plan or way of God, and you are either part of it and conforming, or out of the perfect plan of God. Those that conform to the ways of God are part of His eternal plan, but when one chooses to stay out of that plan, in time and at the final judgment they will be removed and done away with, just as Satan will; as recorded in Revelation 20:14 and 15.
The "depth" in the Hebrew text is the "Tehom", and it includes the teaming masses of water that are on this earth. The law of God called "gravity" is what hold that water mass in the seas, rivers and to the depth of the oceans that it fills, and keeps it in bounds and off the inhabitable land that man lives on.
Today we should be aware of this compass more than any time of past generations, because it allows us to anticipate that compass, and know weather patterns; and place something into orbit to make our lives a little better. Knowing the parameters of the compass allows us to set up our space programs, and the things that are done under those programs are becoming quite common even to our children. It was by knowing the laws governing God's circle that we were even able to land people on the moon, and search the surface of Mars and some of the other planets. It is all part of God's perfect plan, and by the use of mathematics, we can rely on the correctness of that compass.
Proverbs 8:28 "When He established the clouds above: When He strengthened the fountains of the deep:"
God allowed the earth to be set in such a rotation that we have our weather patterns, that allows the clouds above to water the earth below. Not only do the clouds water the earth, but the depths of the earth allow the fountains of the deep to give forth their rivers and streams of water that flow out to the seas.
Proverbs 8:29 "When He gave to the sea His decree, That the waters should not pass His commandment: When He appointed the foundations of the earth:"
God set the limits that the waters of the oceans can go, for the rising and lowering of the tides are established by the gravity of the moon. The waters of the seas are established also by the gravital pull from the motion of this earth. God set the moon in place, and He caused the earth to spin at such a rate that it will sustain mankind. According to scientists at one time we had one large land mass and one large body of water. However, through land drift, seven giant bodies of land called continents were formed, to where they are today.
Things happened around the world to where the animals of the first earth age became frozen in time, in the exact place where they lived. Some covered by volcanoes, some by ice, but the evidence of a world wide catastrophe(read Jeremiah 4:23-26) generated the course of the world that exists today. In the book "Worlds in upheaval" by Immanuel Velikovsky, documents over 66 known places where such evidence is witnessed. We know from the Scriptures that the plates of this earth have been through quite a shaking, and Genesis 1:2 bears witness of this fact. The reason for this is also laid out in the Scriptures, for pride caused Satan to fall and one third of God's children followed him. This caused the destruction of that first earth age, and set up the earth age of each soul entering it in the flesh.
So what was the purpose that God created all these things that He created? Revelations 4:11; "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." No wonder our Father takes such delight in His children, that seek to please him.
God allowed Job to be tested by both Satan and his fellow man, in the first thirty seven chapters of the book of Job. However, then after 37 chapters of man's nonsense, ramblings, and bad advise by those around Job, God spoke to Job.
Job 38:1, 2 "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?"
Job had been tested to the point of losing his entire family, all his wealth, and he had been inflicted by sores and sickness; yet he did not curse God. He was in a poor frame of mind when God again came to Job.
Job 38:3 "Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me."
After God's verbal correction to Job, listen to what He is about to tell Job. God then spells out to Job how He laid out the foundations of the earth and the heaven, and all matters concerning them. God told Job exactly how the universe was put together under His infinite wisdom and power. Yet YHVH Father's love for His children is so great that He allowed Himself to be crucified as a man, on the cross at Calvary. In His great love that He demonstrated for His children, He made it possible that we could approach Him as His child for our every need. This humbled Job before God, and it should humble each of us.
When God created the earth [erets] in the beginning, it was perfect.
Isaiah 45:18 "For thus saith the Lord That created the heavens; God Himself That formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord and there is nothing else."
God is speaking and Isaiah the prophet is writing it all down. God is telling us that when He created the earth, it was not in vain. "Vain" as used here is the same Hebrew word that we see in Genesis 1:2, which was given "void". God created this earth to be lived on, and to be inhabited. Genesis 1:1 told us that God created the earth to be inhabited. The "tohu", the "destruction" was not part of the creation plan of verse one, but came after the fall of Satan when one third of all the souls followed Satan back in that first earth age, in verse two.
For another documentation concerning the creation and the first earth age lets go to the book of II Peter.
II Peter 3:5 "For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:"
The earth came about by "the word of God", God's speaking. Some ministers preach that this was Noah's flood, will let's see.
II Peter 3:6 "Whereby the world that then was, being over flowed with water perished:"
Perished means total destruction. "The world [age] that then was" ended in total ruin through another flood that was prior to Noah's day. There were no survivors in any form to that flood. Everything perished! We know in Noah's flood that two of all life forms were saved, including the races of mankind.
II Peter 3:7 "But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."
This then is the second heaven and earth age which is the earth age [cosmos] that we are living in now. This earth age of flesh man will not be destroyed until God's time of judgment on the ungodly men of this earth age comes to a close. That time of perdition [destruction] is after the millennium age, and after the judgment. Then will come the consuming fire. Hebrews 12:19 tells us that "God is that consuming fire."
II Peter 3:8 "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
One week to God is as 7000 years to us, and we have come to the Sabbath day of that week, and are approaching the Millennium Sabbath age, and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. That age starts at the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet when Christ returns to set up his Millennium kingdom. All souls at that time will be changed from their mortal flesh to their incorruptible bodies to live for the rest of the thousand years. We will all be in that other dimension. This event is spoken of in I Corinthians 15:50-54.
II Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
That means that you can count on every word that our Lord has spoken as truth, and it is wisdom speaking directly to you.
II Peter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."
This is New Testament writing, that of Peter telling us exactly what was written in the Old Testament: Making the Old Testament part of the New Testament. "A thief in the night" is an figure of speech meaning that Christ will come at an unexpected time. This sounds like a scary time, but what does it say in the original test, being translated to English? The "elements" are all the "rudiments"; that is the evil spirits, all the evil men are part of those rudiments, as well as all forms of idolatry. They will all burn at their appointed time. These elements are not the elements that go to make up the physical properties of this earth age but the spiritual realm.
Proverbs 8:30 "Then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him."
In the earth age that was God and his children were happy, they sang, and then came Satan's pride, and one third of all the children left to follow after Satan. Then came the "tohu", the "destruction". And that first earth age ended in complete destruction. You can see the emotions of God in that action, and the point being that wisdom was there even before the souls of those sons of God were created. The children of God were created to give God pleasure. Have you given God pleasure lately, and told Him that you love Him?
The Companion Bible bring out the fact that in the phrase; "as one brought up with Him," and in the Hebrew text # 539 it reads, "As one constantly with Him, or under His constant care." "To build up to support, to foster..." Wisdom is as eternal as God, for the two are one, interchangeable. This is the prime root as the word "Amen".
Proverbs 8:31 "Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth; And my delights were with the sons of men."
When God delights in the sons of men, wisdom also delights also because all wisdom comes from God. They are one and the same. These sons of God are numerous, and they are the souls that were created back in that first earth age. Somewhere in the neighborhood of fifteen billion souls, give or take a few hundred million souls. At first each of these souls were happy and pleased with God.
Proverbs 8:32 "Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: For blessed are they that keep my ways."
Remember that it is wisdom speaking here; and wisdom is telling each of us to pay attention to what He is about to say. Did you get the warning here? If you want to be blessed by wisdom and by God, then Keep the ways of our Father as written down in His Word. The warning is to use the ways of common sense, for those are the ways of wisdom.
Proverbs 8:33 "Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not."
When you read the Word and it sinks into your mind, that is the time to thank Father for it, and follow those words of instruction: Then comes the blessings. God has told us within His Word all of the events of our day, all of the responses that come from doing or not doing things God's ways. You can know ahead of time what the results of your actions and deeds will be, simply by understanding His Word. If you know where you are with respect to Bible prophecy, that knowledge can bring you cash, wealth, and peace of mind. If you know that the one world system is coming into being, why would you fight against it when it happens, for you should adopt to live within that system in the manner that God's Word instructs us to life. It is not a time to run and hide, but a time to be delivered up to give account of the Word as the Spirit of God speaks through you. God it? You are here for a purpose, and the wise know what that purpose for them is to be. If you are in business, and you know what is going to happen, then you can adjust you business activities towards the events of the day. When the world is screaming for peace at every table, why would you ever place your investments in the guns and tank industry?
Proverbs 8:34 "Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors."
This is the reason why the blessings will come. The place or gate where is spoken from is the Word of God. Blessed is the man that not only studies that Word but he is open to the instructions that comes from it; then follows those instructions. It is important that we use the common sense that wisdom offers to keep our credibility within the community that we life in. We must make an honest living to pay the bills and feed the family, therefore much of your time is centered around your job. However we are to set some amount of time to absorb the wisdom from God's Word.
Proverbs 8:35 "For whosofindeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favour of the Lord."
When you find the eternal life that the Father offers, you have obtains favor with the Lord. Of course your faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. It is only the Father that gives eternal life, and that way is through His Son Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed one.
Proverbs 8:36 "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death."
To sin against wisdom is to completely disregard common sense. The only one that is damaged when you do stupid things is you, for it damages your character, and many times it could cause you great financial loss. When you know what is right in your own mind, why would you do anything that goes aainst your better judgment? We must practice discernment, but that doesn't give you the right to never make up your mind on anything. Study all avenues of a situation, pick out the one right for you and make a judgment on the matter. Then follow that judgment. Be constant in your actions, following the wisdom as laid out in these Proverbs. The riches that come from following wisdom in this earth age is peace of mind, and to your soul is eternal life.
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it,
the highest of all goals. We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you
accomplish both.
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