Proverbs 8 Commentary

In many ways a summary of the core message of The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 8 is encompassed almost entirely by a speech from Lady Wisdom. All of the groundwork of the first seven chapters have been laid to provide fertile soil for this summary of the opportunity wisdom allows us. And all of the proverbs to follow are an unpacking of what Lady Wisdom says during her speech in Chapter 8.

Lady Wisdom allows Solomon to take up the direct voice of wisdom. So instead of coming from him, the teacher, it is pressed upon the audience directly. Perhaps he does this because although we can learn wisdom from intermediaries, what we need in order to internalize wisdom is our own ability to discern it in the world around us. For this, Lady Wisdom is a powerful personification of the way Solomon has been advocating.

Lady Wisdom, unlike the wicked adulteress in Chapter 7, calls out from the street, from the high places, and at the entry gates. She makes herself known in a myriad ways, not lurking or sneaking, but proclaiming. Shouting.

She addresses those who are seeking, searching, and imperfect. The foolish ones. Which is an apt description for all of humanity.

In Chapter 8, Lady Wisdom seems to have two major selling points. The first is that wisdom is truly in our best interest. It is more valuable than anything else we might desire. It transforms all of our resources and opportunities into conduits of good and manifestations of what is best for us.

Second, wisdom is the very heart of reality. It was before creation, in creation, and since creation. It is woven into the fabric of existence. It recognizes cause-effect, and leads to making choices that result in our true (rather than imagined) benefit.

Lady Wisdom calls herself "the delight" of creation. We experience, share, and revel in this delight by aligning ourselves with the path of wisdom, alongside the reality of the created order, and in honor of The Creator of wisdom and reality therein. When we live in harmony with God's design for creation, we gain blessing.

Those who seek wisdom with perseverance, find it. We must consistently choose the path of wisdom and hate the ways of evil. If we do so, we align with all that wisdom is. In doing this, we "find life," meaning the abundant life, the life that is truly life. The key to stewarding our journey toward meaning, our deepest desires, and the truth for which God has created us and all things.