July 12, 2020
Lessons Learned
Proverbs 8:1-21
1. In this chapter, the writer of Proverbs uses personification as the literary form to
give human qualities to wisdom which is non-human. Wisdom is personified as
a woman delivering a message.
V1-3 Calling out in the streets—everyone is welcome to embrace her message.
V4-5 Who the message is addressed to.
V6-11 A call to listen to her instruction.
V 12-21 A description of her righteous character. (A preview of the character of
Jesus.)
2. Descriptive words about the righteous character of wisdom:
Noble things, speaks what is right, truth, righteous words, nothing twisted or
crooked (evil).
3. Compare #2 with the forbidden woman of last week’s lesson from Proverbs 5:3-5.
Her words dripped honey and were smoother than oil (master of deception and
saying enticing words) and lead to death.
4. Acquiring wisdom is an active pursuit, not a passive acquisition. You must put forth
the effort to be disciplined by God’s word.
5. Wisdom and knowledge are preferred to silver and gold and jewels in God’s
economy.
6. Fearing God means you have learned to hate the things that God hates.
“...we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Cor. 2:16b
7. Evil expresses itself through pride, arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
8. Compare the descriptive words in #2 with how evil expresses itself from #7.
9. God gives wisdom to those who ask. James 1:5, Hebrews 11:6, Proverbs 8:17
10. We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:7-10.
11. Those who love wisdom will have a rich inheritance Proverbs 8:21. Contrast this
with the woman of folly found in Proverbs 9:13-18. (HCSB)
Rowdy.
Gullible.
Knows nothing.
Sits in the doorway of her house—makes herself visible.
Addresses those who are naive (inexperienced) and those without common
sense (understanding).
Her guests are in the depths of Sheol (the grave, the place of the dead, life has
expired).
12. Rewards and benefits of wisdom, an Old Testament portrait of Jesus. (V14-21)
Good counsel.
Sound judgment.
Understanding (insight).
Moral strength to do what is right (power).
Leadership ability.
Judicial skill.
Affection and companionship.
Enduring riches (eternal).
Honor.
More valuable than silver and gold—temporary riches.
Guidance in the paths of righteousness and justice.
A rich inheritance
A full treasury
13. The rewards and benefits of wisdom are what all people want in their lives but so
often seek them by following the paths of folly leading to death.
14. God promises to provide His wisdom to those who search for Him.
