Wisdom's Call Ch 8
A Proverbs 8 Weaving of Scripture
This is a Proverbs Chapter 8 rewrite. I have inserted parts of scripture where they seem to relate, but to maintain cohesion, I’ve changed some words. Verb tense changes and pronoun changes are not noted, but additions and subtractions are indicated with brackets or ellipses. The original NIV Proverb’s chapters are italicized. All scripture is footnoted.
Note: In this chapter, Wisdom is personified as a woman whom God made first, who aids in ruling the world, and through whom God created the world. The descriptions of Wisdom sound very similar to how Christ is described in various places in scripture. I have drawn attention to this by interspersing the descriptions of Christ throughout the descriptions of Wisdom. To maintain clarity, I had to either make Lady Wisdom a man or alter Jesus’ pronouns to feminine pronouns. Because Proverbs is my primary text, I have changed Christ’s pronouns to feminine pronouns.
I don’t think the point of Christ being male and Lady Wisdom being female was intended to say something about which gender was chosen to save the world, who is the most wise, or who ought to rule. Rather, I think Lady Wisdom and Christ emphasize that a creative, wise, and powerful life is one of unity—men and women together united with Christ’s Spirit.
I hope this tapestry of scripture arrests you as it did me. I plan to release these one chapter every Sunday: Chapters 1-9, 30-31. Click the links below to return to a previous chapter. The next chapter links will be available at the end once released.
Proverbs Chapter 8
Wisdom’s Call
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand. Beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance,1 standing at the crossroads . . . asking [travelers to look] for the ancient paths, [pointing to] where the good way is, and [compelling them to] walk in it, [so] they will find rest for their souls.2
She cries aloud, “To you, O people, I call out. I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence. You who are foolish,3 harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,4 set your hearts on [this].5
“. . . Choose the way of faithfulness. . . . Set your heart on my laws. . . . Hold fast to my statutes . . . Do not . . . be put to shame. . . . Run in the path of my commands. . . . Broaden your understanding. [Learn] . . . the way of my decrees, that you may follow it to the end. [Take my] understanding, so that you may keep my law and obey it with all your heart. [Let me] direct you in the path of my commands, for there you will find delight.6
“Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say. I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true,7 for the word of the Lord is right and true.8 . . . My lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just. None of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right. They are upright to those who have found knowledge.9 The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.10 Choose my instruction instead of silver; knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with [me].
I, Wisdom, dwell together with prudence. I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil.11
Woe to that [crown], the pride of Ephraim. . . set on the head of a fertile valley . . . the pride of those laid low by wine!12 That [crown], the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, will be trampled underfoot.13 I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
“Counsel and sound judgment are mine. I have insight, I have power. By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just. By me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.14 . . . I will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of my people. I will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.15
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold. What I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full,16 . . . treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.17
“Very truly I tell you,. . . before Abraham was born, I am!18 The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old,19 the firstborn over all creation.20 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths,21 and there was no longer any sea.22 I was given birth when there were no springs overflowing with water.23 . . . The great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.24
“Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,25 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,26 before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command.27 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars. He puts the deep into storehouses.28
And when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind,29 rejoicing over him with singing.”30
“Now then, my children, listen to me. Blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.31 . . . watching over [their] coming[s] and going[s] both now and forevermore.32
“For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves. All who hate me love death.”33
Proverbs 8:1-3b
Jeremiah 6:16a-c
Proverbs 8:3c-5b
Matthew 9:36 b-c
Proverbs 8:5c
Psalm 119:30-35
Proverbs 8:6-7a
Psalm 33:4 a
Proverbs 7b:9
John 14:10b-c
Proverbs 8:10-13a
Isaiah 28:1
Isaiah 28:3
Proverbs 8:13b-16
Isaiah 28:5-6
Proverbs 8:17-21
Matthew 6:20
John 8:58
Proverbs 8:22
Colossians 1:15b
Proverbs 8:23-24a
Revelation 21:1 c
Proverbs 8:24b
Revelation 16:12
Proverbs 8:25
Philippians 1:21a
Proverbs 8:26-29b
Psalm 33:7
Proverbs 8:29c-31
Zephaniah 3:17d
Proverbs 8:30-34
Psalm 121:8
Proverbs 8:30-36
I like it!