Proverbs 8:22-31

Wisdom and creation 8:22-31

As Creator, God counted wisdom most important. Wisdom is older than the universe, and it was essential in its creation. Nothing came into existence without wisdom. Wisdom leads to joy because creation produces joy (Proverbs 8:30-31) both for the Creator and for the creature. God made and did nothing without wisdom. Therefore it is very important that we obtain it. That is the point.

"What has the voice of wisdom to say concerning the integration debate in Christian counseling? The wisdom literature of the Old Testament invites the study of human nature, behavior, and change from sources outside the canon of Scripture as well as in Scripture itself. Wisdom also exemplifies the use of methods that neither emerge exegetically from the Bible nor utilize the words of Scripture itself. Even when Scripture is used, wisdom often dictates which texts are most appropriate for a given situation and how application needs to take shape. At the same time, wise counselors recognize that the Bible is the only perfect authority for guiding faith and practice. Since the essence of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, a heart of adoration and submission to God is the foundation for skillful living, especially in the face of life’s most severe experiences. Not only in counseling, but in all aspects of life, wisdom calls for a deeper reverence for God in conforming one’s life to the Creator’s design." [Note: John W. Hilber, "Old Testament Wisdom and the Integration Debate in Christian Counseling," Bibliotheca Sacra 155:620 (October-December 1998):422.]

"The beginning of God’s way" (Proverbs 8:22) probably refers to the beginning of His creative work (Genesis 1), since that is what Solomon described in the verses that follow. [Note: See Hans-Jurgen Hermission, "Observations on the Creation Theology in Wisdom," in Israelite Wisdom: Theological and Literary Essays in Honor of Samuel Terrien, pp. 43-47, 54-55.] Wisdom always existed as an attribute of God. [Note: William A. Irwin, "Where Shall Wisdom Be Found?" Journal of Biblical Literature 80 (1961):142.] Proverbs 8:30 pictures wisdom as God’s constant and intimate companion. As such we should value it highly. One writer concluded that wisdom is a link or bond between the Creator and His creation. [Note: R. B. Y. Scott, "Wisdom in Creation: The ’AMON of Proverbs VII 30," Vetus Testamentum 10 (1960):211-23.]