Proverbs
{8:1} Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
{8:2} She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
{8:3} She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
{8:4} Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man.
{8:5} O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
{8:6} Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.
{8:7} For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.
{8:8} All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is] nothing froward or perverse in them.
{8:9} They [are] all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
{8:10} Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
{8:11} For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
{8:12} I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
How many people do you know would choose to have knowledge over riches? Seriously.
You might think some would want knowledge because then the knowledge would make them rich, they could use that knowledge to get rich, but what if it wasn't that kind of knowledge? What if the knowledge was how to find life eternal. Would you choose the knowledge of life eternal or material, earthly riches? Seriously, ask yourself the question because it if very pertinent. Oh, you might be saying you'll take earthly riches because you know all about life eternal, or you might be saying how do I know eternal life is even real, I know now is real so give me earthly riches. Or you might be saying you might as well take the riches because eternal life is a long way off and you have to live in the meanwhile.
So there we have it... Earthly riches to spend now and *no* chance for eternal life, or the knowledge of Christ Jesus and His mercy and grace, giving to us eternal life through Him. Choose.
Choose.
Wisdom is better than rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
ALL things that may be desired do not compare to wisdom.
If you're like me you've had many desires in your life, we start out wanting this, that, and the other thing don't we? As we get older we seemingly only want more things, our desire is for more or if not more then better. Perhaps our desires are just to keep all we've accumlated. ALL things that may be desired. It doesn't give specifics there does it? It doesn't say if you desire this or that, it says ALL things that may be desired don't compare to WISDOM.
Receive knowledge rather than choice gold.
What is all this telling us? That there is a life beyond now and no matter what we do, no matter how we live this life it won't change that fact. Whether we are part of eternal life or not it will exist. If we focus only on the earthly things then our reward will be earthly and it is true that whatever is now will be all there is for us, this life will be it, there will be no more. Knowledge and wisdom tells us through Jesus that there is a better life to be had. Just the fact we have to struggle through the heartache and pain of this life should tell us that something is wrong with this world, this existence. Somehow we instinctively know that when all things were being created that there was a glitch in the program somewhere. The fact we can even imagine a perfect world should tell us something. What's that old saying- if we can imagine it then it has possibility. Some scoff at that but if you look at those who imagined an airplane, or a steel boat and tell them it was impossible what does that say? What about going into outerspace, crazy talk. Yet it was imagined first and then realized. All the man-made things we use daily were imagined first. Some imagine peace on earth fully believing it can be realized and it will be in the new world with Christ- true peace on earth. We imagine and that should tell us that things should be different that this isn't all there is and a supposed lucky few have a good life here and now while the rest suffer. Luck should have nothing to do with it. We are truly all designed for a life of real peace without tears, without pain, without heartache. All of us have the chance for that life only it's not going to be now. We have been blessed by God and given the understanding through His Holy word that the way things are now are not how it was intended and that a way has been made for us to receive a life of how it was intended but we have to choose and choose wisdom and knowledge of that over anything earthly.
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{8:13} The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
{8:14} Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength.
{8:15} By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
{8:16} By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of the earth.
{8:17} I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
{8:18} Riches and honour [are] with me; [yea,] durable riches and righteousness.
{8:19} My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
{8:20} I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment
{8:21} That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
{8:22} The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
{8:23} I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
{8:24} When [there were] no depths, I was brought forth; when [there were] no fountains abounding with water.
{8:25} Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth
{8:26} While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
{8:27} When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
{8:28} When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep
{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
{8:30} Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him:] and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him
{8:31} Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men.
{8:32} Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways.
{8:33} Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
{8:34} Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
{8:35} For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
{8:36} But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
All praise and glory to God! Let us find Him and find life! Let us find favor with the Lord. Let us be blessed by hearing, watching, and waiting. Let us listen to instruction and be wise in Him, let us not refuse to hear. By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ let us keep God's ways now and forever in Him, through Him, by Him now and always.
Amen.
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