Wisdom's Personification

Wisdom's Personification

Once you begin reading Proverbs, you will quickly notice that the divinely inspired writer does more than provide the reader with principles. Solomon presents many principles in Proverbs, but more than that he provides examples of wise and foolish behaviors. We might say that in chapter 7 foolishness was personified in the strange woman, and simplicity was personified in the young man who was reeled in by her wicked wiles. In Proverbs 8 it is wisdom who is portrayed as a woman extending a righteous invitation. For this reason, I have entitled Proverbs 8 “Wisdom Personified.”

To begin, notice Wisdom’s Mouth in verses 1-9.  “My mouth shall speak truth,” lady wisdom says in verse 7. In verse 8 she says, “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness.” Wisdom uses her mouth like a megaphone. She wants to be heard by as many people as possible. “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places” says verse 1 Why is she calling from the wall? So she can be heard. She also “crieth at the gates,” the place where many people pass in and out of the city. Her intended audience, according to verse 4, is “unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.” Her goal is to extend the offer of wisdom to as many people as possible. As I pointed out above, wisdom is a female voice that must be heeded, in opposition to the female voice of the strange woman described in the preceding chapters. The flattering, deceptive voice of the strange woman should not be heeded. Wisdom must be heard.

Wisdom‘s mouth not only is a megaphone, but it also has a message. Her message is “excellent things,” according to verse 6, and truthful things, according to verse 7. Her message is full of righteousness, according to verse 8.  The call of lady wisdom can be trusted because she is communicating excellent, truthful, and righteous things. At the same time, the fool is speaking wicked, abominable, froward, and perverse things. This foolish call should be disregarded.

The call from wisdom’s mouth is substantive, not empty. Notice Wisdom‘s Money in the chapter. Proverbs 8 uses money to signify wisdom’s value and worth. We see in verses 10-11 that wisdom is more valuable than silver, more valuable than choice gold, and even better than rubies. In case you greatly desire something that is not on the list, verse 11 states that "all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Even highly valued things are rubbish compared to wisdom. Wisdom’s value transcends the dollar value we assign to financially valuable things of this earth.

To help shed light on what exactly makes wisdom so valuable, verses 12-21 give us Wisdom’s Makeup. In other words, those verses explain what wisdom is composed of. As you read through those verses, notice again the personal pronouns “I” and “me” used repeatedly to emphasize her personification. Wisdom is describing herself when she says, “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence.” Likewise, we learn in verse 13 that wisdom equals the fear of the Lord. Wisdom says in verse 14, “I am understanding,” and has strength. “By me kings reign,” she says. “By me princes rule.” She declares inn verse 17 that “I love them that love me.” In verse 20 wisdom says, “I lead in the way of righteousness.” These are all attributes of wisdom‘s makeup. This is who she is.

We must not forget that this lofty description of wisdom is still intended to point us beyond herself. Consider next Wisdom’s Messiah. I suggest that verses 22-31 discuss Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed One. He is the eternal God. Wisdom existed before the creation of the earth, but when you read verses 22-31, you will see a picture of Jesus emerge as the phrases build upon one another. Jesus is the greatest and only perfect personification of wisdom.

Since wisdom is the highest personification of wisdom, it is no surprise that wisdom demands a response from the sons of men. Notice Wisdom’s Mandates in verses 32-36. “Hearken unto me!” This is an order. Verse 33 gives another mandate: “Hear instruction.” Anyone who obeys  these mandates will be blessed with life, and will obtain the favor of the Lord (v. 35). On the other hand, whoever disobeys wisdom’s mandate sins against wisdom, and does wrong to his own soul. The chapter concludes with a final warning in verse 36. “All they that hate me love death.” Doesn’t it sound like wisdom takes her rejection personally? Given the theme of the chapter, this is no surprise. It is also an additional warning not to reject wisdom’s call. Since you have read the Proverbs, you have heard it. Now obey it.

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The above article was written by Pastor James C. Johnson. He is the pastor of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fl. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.

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