JULY 13

We are given wisdom’s second call in chapter 8, the call to
wealth. We again find wisdom in the streets, calling men to follow
God’s path. In verse 5 she calls the simple and the fool, but not
the scorner. The scorner was the one who laughed and mocked, so God
passed him by. How solemn to think a man’s heart should be so hard
that he no longer hears the voice of God.

The invitation given in chapter 8 is to true wealth, the
wisdom that is far above silver, gold, and precious jewels (verses
10 and 11). Verses 15 and 16 tell us that to know God’s wisdom is to
reign like a king. Again, verses 18 and 19 affirm that wisdom and
godly living are greater in value than all worldly wealth. In verses
22-31 Solomon introduces an Old Testament picture of Jesus Christ,
who is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24,30). As we read this
description of Christ in Proverbs, we can see Him as the creator of
the universe. To know Him and to have Him is true wisdom. Without
having God’s Son as personal Saviour, all other possessions are as
nothing. To gain the world is but loss without Christ. Earthly
possessions can never satisfy the longing for peace and security.
That longing can only be satisfied by God.

In chapter 9 wisdom’s third call is to life. The first
invitation was to the simple, the scorner, and the fool; the second
invitation was to the fool and the simple; but the third invitation
is only to the simple (verse 4). The lesson found in these first
nine chapters of Proverbs is obvious–to reject wisdom is to accept
folly! There is no middle ground; no fence in the middle of the
road. Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me.” No man can
serve two masters, and no man can live without a master. We either
follow wisdom (Christ) or folly (sin).