Proverbs 8:12–21 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. 14 I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; 16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, 21 granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.”
Wisdom calls out to all who would listen to her. She’s stating her case for why people should listen to her. When Lady Wisdom says, “I dwell with prudence,” she’s obviously not introducing us to her roommate. She is saying, “If you get me, you get prudence, knowledge, and discretions” Prudence is the wise handling of one’s affairs. Discretion is showing good judgment.
Although v. 13 doesn’t say it, Lady Wisdom dwells with the fear of the Lord, therefore she hates evil and its ways, pride, and arrogance. Personifying Lady Wisdom doesn’t mean that Wisdom is separate from God. That is not true. Solomon helps us understand why wisdom entails all these other things—because they reflect the person and character of God in his infinite wisdom.
Counsel and sound wisdom are essentially the same thing, because if you seek counsel (advice) from Lady Wisdom, you’re going to get sound wisdom. You’re also going to get insight, a deeper perspective on any issue or circumstance. She has strength because God’s wisdom is not weak.
When kings and rulers seek Wisdom, they reign well, decreeing what is just, as do the princes in their rule and nobles in their just governance. She loves (through practical care; she’s not talking about a feeling) those who love her. Those who really desire to have wisdom may have it.
Verse 18 isn’t a recipe for wealth: “Seek wisdom and get rich.” Rather, riches of wisdom, which endure more than any earthly wealth, are with her, as are honor and righteousness. To seek her and to find her is to have something more precious than fine gold or choice silver.
She is to be followed, since she walks in the way of righteousness and in the paths of justice. She fills the treasuries of those who love her with the inheritance of enduring wealth, honor, and righteousness.
If she was a door-to-door salesman, I’d buy, because she sells herself well. Not everyone will, though. They will slam the door in her face and tell her not to return.
She’s always knocking at your door. Welcome her warmly. Sit down over a cup of good coffee. And learn from her. The rewards are unmatched in this temporary world.