DAWN

     Explanation:In Proverbs 8 Wisdom is personified in a fuller way than anywhere else the book of Proverbs or anywhere else in Scripture. Wisdom calls to the simple to instruct them in her ways; and she was with God before he began his works of creation. Among commentators opinion is divided as to whether this is a description of Christ or simply a personification of an abstract idea. I prefer the latter interpretation, taking it to be a metaphorical description of one of God's attributes. Today's image is an artistic personification of wisdom.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 5. Proverbs 6. Proverbs 7. Proverbs 9. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Proverbs 8 - #1. Proverbs 8 - #2. Proverbs 8 - #3. ]

     Wisdom is sometimes called Understanding, or Prudence, or Discretion, and sometimes she is spoken of as their companion. She stands at the top of the high places, in the paths, in the gates of the city, and at the doors calling to those who are foolish, inviting them to understand wisdom. She is going to speak of excellent, right, and true things. Wickedness is an abomination to her. Her words are righteous, not unsavory or perverse. They are plain to those who have understanding and knowledge. So she invites her hearers to receive her instruction rather than silver, gold, rubies, or anything they may desire. Wisdom dwells with prudence (discretion) and finds out the knowledge of witty inventions, or plans (1-12). The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; and Wisdom hates evil, pride, arrogance, evil paths, and the perverse mouth. Wisdom gives good advice and sound wisdom (sound support); Understanding possesses strength. By Wisdom kings reign, princes decree justice, and captains, nobles, and judges rule. Wisdom loves those who love her; those who seek her early will find her. She gives riches, honor, enduring wealth, and righteousness. Her fruit is better than gold, refined gold, or choice silver. She leads in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment, that she may cause those who love her to have a substantial inheritance and a full treasury (13-21). The LORD possessed Wisdom in the beginning of his way, before he began his ancient works. Wisdom was there from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth was made. Before there were ocean depths or fountains of water, Wisdom was there. Wisdom was brought forth before the mountains or the hills were made. Before God made the earth, the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world, Wisdom was there. Wisdom was there when God prepared the heavens, when he engraved a circle on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds, when he strengthened the fountains of the deep, when he gave to the sea a decree that it should not pass beyond the boundaries he set for it. And when God appointed the foundations of the earth, Wisdom was there. Wisdom, with her skill, was by his side; he delighted in her; she rejoiced always before him; she rejoiced in the inhabited world; and she delighted in the sons of men (22-31). Men must listen to Wisdom, because those who keep her ways are blessed. They must hear instruction, be wise, and not refuse her. Those who listen are blessed if they hear, if watch daily at her gates, if they wait beside her doors. Whoever finds her finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. But he who fails to find her injures himself. All who hate her love death (32-36).

¹ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
² She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
³ She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
⁴ Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
⁵ O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
⁶ Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
⁷ For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
⁹ They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
¹⁰ Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
¹² I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

¹³ The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
¹⁴ Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
¹⁵ By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
¹⁶ By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
¹⁷ I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
¹⁸ Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
²⁰ I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
²¹ That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

²² The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
²³ I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
²⁴ When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
²⁵ Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
²⁶ While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
²⁷ When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
²⁸ When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
²⁹ When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
³⁰ Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily [daily daily] his delight, rejoicing always before him;
³¹ Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

³² Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
³³ Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
³⁴ Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily [daily daily] at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
³⁵ For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
³⁶ But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.