Proverbs in 31 DaysSample

Proverbs 8 is a speech from Lady Wisdom, calling us to moral living. Lady Wisdom is not literally a human character. Solomon is using a literary device called personification, giving human-like attributes to the non-human concept of wisdom throughout these couple of chapters. This section of Proverbs, chapters 1-9, is distinctly different from the pithy statements of most of the book. Instead of giving us specific advice for when we are at a crossroads, Solomon first takes time to introduce us to both wisdom and folly. The first third of this book serves as an introduction to the actual proverbs.

Verses 1-5 tell us who Lady Wisdom is giving her speech to. She raises her voice in the busiest and most visible parts of the city, and she addresses all mankind. By painting this word picture of a woman giving a speech in a city, Solomon teaches two things about wisdom. First, wisdom is available in all places. Second, wisdom is offered to anybody. We need neither to go anywhere special nor possess a special level of intellect to obtain wisdom.

We see a repeated theme in verses 10-11 and 18-21, where wisdom is compared to gold, silver, and rubies. How is it that Solomon can say that wisdom is worth more than the most valuable possessions of His day? Wisdom can be defined as the ability to make moral decisions. For someone to be able to attain any sort of material wealth that is lasting, they must have this ability. If a thief steals gold, He can be caught and lose His wealth. But wisdom buys us far more than just an ability to attain precious materials; it also teaches us how to build up wealth that is not monetary. We are unable to live in a right relationship with our friends, family, and especially our Creator without having wisdom. We know that in these relationships, we can find a type of joy that far outlasts anything that money can buy for us.