Wisdom; Prophetess and Master Craftsman

Basic meaning of the Hebrew word for proverb is “comparison”, but it came to stand a for a wide range of wise pronouncements; in the Book of Proverbs it refers to a concise statement or a discourse.

“Wisdom” is the key word in the Book and basically means the “skill of living”. 

Used in the OT to refer to a skill such as tailoring, metalwork and woodwork, spinning, engraving and designing and warfare.

Provides instruction to for:

·       the moral discipline to one’s life and

·       the capability to distinguish between true and false, good and bad and

·       what matters most and what does not matter at all.

Wisdom is personified in chapter one as a prophetess calling in public places to everyone to come to her and learn; chapter 8  likens Wisdom to a maters craftsman working for God on directing in the creation of the earth and everything that is in/on it.

Proverbs 1: 33

But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread or evil.

Proverbs 2: 1 – 5

My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly Wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest of it];

Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as hidden treasures, Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find knowledge of [our omniscient] God.

Proverbs 3:1 & 2

My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age and till death], these they shall add to you.

Proverbs 3: 13 - 18

Happy (blessed, fortunate, and enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it from God's Word and life experiences].  For gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better that fine gold.

Skillful and godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.  

Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honour.

Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

She is the tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.

Proverb 3: 24 & 25

When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, nor of the stormy blast or the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you shall be guiltless].

For the LORD shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].

Proverbs 4: 10 - 13

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life shall be many.

I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight in the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of righteousness.

When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you will not stumble.

Take hold of firm instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

Proverbs 4: 20 – 23

My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.

For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 8: 22 - 36;  

The Lord formed and brought me [Wisdom] forth at the beginning of His way, before His acts of old.

I [Wisdom] was inaugurated and obtained from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. When there were no deeps, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains laden with water.  Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth.  While as yet He had not made the land or the fields or the first of the dust of the earth.

 When He prepared the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; when He drew a circle upon the face of the deep and stretched out the firmament over it, When he made firm the skies above, when He established the fountains of the deep, When He gave to the sea its limit and His decree that the waters should not transgress [across the boundaries set by] His command, when he appointed the foundations of the earth - Then I [Wisdom] was beside Him, as a master and director of the work; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always, Rejoicing in His inhabited earth and delighting in the sons of men.

Now therefore listen to me, O you sons of men; for blessed [happy, fortunate and to be envied] are those who keep my ways.  

Hear my instruction and by wise, and do not refuse of neglect it.

Blessed [happy, fortunate and to be envied] is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever find me [Wisdom] finds life and draws forth and obtains favour from the Lord.

But he who misses me or sins against me wrongs