Proverbs 8:16-20

 

Prov 8:16 (KJB)

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

 

Wisdom does not only avail itself to the kings of the earth but true Wisdom also avails itself to those who hold lesser offices in government. Those who rule locally should be prayed for that God gives them wisdom to rule on a local level. This verse also teaches that when a person becomes born again, it does not matter what social status they hold because the wisdom of God makes itself available to every single true Christian. Wisdom is needed on every level of life, from the worker to the King and God’s wisdom is no respecter of persons. So it does not matter what your position is in this life, if you are truly born again, then the wisdom of God is yours.

 

Prov 8:17 (KJB)

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

 

True Godly wisdom is only available to those who have become born again. The unbeliever is at enmity with God and has no love for Him, in fact they do what they can to deny His existence. (1 John 4:19 KJV) We love him, because he first loved us. God sheds His love on the believer and as a result, we are able to love Him back because we are regenerated from death unto life. Therefore, wisdom is attached to those who are saved and those who love wisdom and use that wisdom in their life will seek to gain more wisdom. When discipling a new Christian, we need to tell them that they need to seek the Wisdom of God in the Scriptures and from the indwelling Holy Spirit. As they begin to seek the wisdom of God early in life, and as they progress in their Christian walk, they will walk wisely and will not see many days of chastisement nor get entangled in evil situations. Wisdom will guide them into the right paths. (Psa 51:6 KJV) Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

 

Prov 8:18 (KJB)

Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

 

Durable - Enduring

 

If you look at this passage quickly, someone may interpret it meaning that if we get wisdom then we will automatically get riches and honour. This is not true because there are many Christians in this world who are wise in the things of the Lord and yet do not possess two coins to rub together. What is in view here is the eternal life which comes with salvation. Those who have the Wisdom of God are the saved of earth and if you notice the riches and righteousness are durable or enduring. This means that they will stand up for a very long time. (James 5:1-2 KJV) Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. {2} Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Here we have a verse which teaches that the riches of earth will fade as they are corrupted. (Isa 64:6 KJV) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. The righteousness of the unsaved man is only akin to filthy rags and can never be like the true righteousness which God gives in salvation. The righteousness which God gives remains forever as we see in 2 Corinthians 9:9: (2 Cor 9:9 KJV) (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

 

Prov 8:19 (KJB)

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

 

Revenue - Produce or gain

 

The fruit or the results of wisdom far outweighs, not just gold, but gold that is purified and refined making it of higher quality and value. This verse compares the wisdom of God with the wealth of the earth and as we saw in the previous verse, the riches of this world are fleeting but the wisdom of God continues forever. There is no comparison between gold and Godly wisdom. The gold of earth is a dead object and cannot give any counsel but the Wisdom of God is eternally alive and is always a companion to the righteous. Then the verse states that wisdom’s rewards are greater gain than having choice or high grade silver. Solomon would have definitely known of the deadness of riches because he was the wealthiest man alive at that time and the only things that great riches did for him was corrupt him. When wisdom is compared to earthly riches, the earthly riches fade in comparison because they are temporal and will never truly satisfy. Normally, those who are rich desire to become richer.

 

Prov 8:20 (KJB)

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

 

Judgment - Justice

 

True wisdom always leads in the way of righteousness. It never leads one into a questionable situation. This is because of its description in the rest of the verse. It states that wisdom travels in the midst or middle of the paths of justice. This means that true wisdom does not compromise in the least by leaning to either the right or to the left. (Josh 1:7 KJV) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. When Joshua took command of the nation of Israel, he was counseled to turn neither to the right or to the left. As long as he did not lean in any direction but straight, he would be a strong leader. As long as we do not make any attempt to try and manipulate wisdom, then we too, will be strong in wisdom as Joshua was strong in his leadership abilities.

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