BLESSINGS OF GOD'S WISDOM
Proverbs 8:17-19
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.
In this chapter, wisdom speaks often in the first person. The wisdom here is God's wisdom, and wisdom is personified as a woman. Verse two reads: "She takes her stand on the top of the high hill." I don't believe that wisdom is gender specific, but in ancient cultures, the woman was the one pursued. God's wisdom has to be pursued. And while we are on the subject, what worked in ancient cultures is still relevant today. I believe there is a strong case for Biblical masculinity that pursues, but that is a whole separate devotional, or book!
Getting back to the Proverbs, wisdom is seen as valuable even more than rubies and gold, the currency of that day. It is interesting that rubies and gold still carry a great amount of value in today's society. Some things are timeless.
In our verses for today, wisdom lets it be known how she can be obtained. Wisdom is not unconditionally available; wisdom must be pursued. Wisdom loves the ones that love her. Sounds a bit like what Jesus said when He called out that the one who has ears to hear, let them hear. The ones that make a concerted effort to get wisdom will find it. Again, this is a precursor to what Jesus would say centuries later: "Seek and you shall find."
And wisdom brings her friends along also. Seek wisdom, find wisdom, and riches and honor are thrown into the package. This is why godly wisdom is valued more than material wealth. God's wisdom is better than material wealth, because material wealth is added to wisdom. Wisdom is connected to spiritual wealth also because righteousness is another added blessing. Righteousness being God's right ways. In God's counterintuitive plan, we seek the wisdom, and we get the riches, honor, and righteousness. No wonder wisdom is more valuable. God's wisdom will bless us materially and provide things that money cannot buy.
APPLICATION
So, if wisdom is so valuable, why doesn't God just give it to us? Well, we have been given wisdom in Christ according to 1 Corinthians 1:30. And according to James 1:5, if we lack wisdom in any area, we can ask God, and He will give us wisdom. And God's Word reveals His wisdom and ways. We still must seek God's wisdom, but she is hiding in plain sight.
PRAYER
Lord thank You that I have the capacity to obtain wisdom. Thank You that there is nothing beyond Your comprehension. And thank You for the spirit of wisdom, the Holy Spirit living in me.