Proverbs 8:32-35

Proverbs 8:32-35 "Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. (33) Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. (34) Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. (35) For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;

The Proverbs are wise sayings to be sure, but the wisdom of the proverbs is much more. They are the very words of God and hence the heart of God. Wisdom proceeds from God, for it is His nature. Like the nature of white light is the combination of all colors of light. It is a defining property. It would be a mistake to believe however that God used a separate or distinct power, that He tapped into something that was already there. Wisdom is wise because it comes from the perfect heart and perfect thoughts of the Almighty God. God defines wisdom, not the other way around.

This chapter is a great example of the Personification of Wisdom. Wisdom (Godly knowledge rightly applied) itself becomes the voice of God. This gives us wonderful insight into the person and personality of God. We hear wisdom crying out to the simple to turn to it, this is the cry of God to those that He loves so much. We see wisdom compared to the precious things of man and find that nothing can be compared to what our God says (v11), all things pale in comparison. We find that the ways of God are for all men, both the simple and Kings and in this we understand the unchanging and all loving nature of God Who prefers no one above another (James 2). We find that by God's righteous decree and complete understanding he framed the world and set the seas in its limits.

Then in verses 32 through to the end we see the application of this Personification, "Now therefore listen to me." Because God created all things and knows all things and desires for us to turn to Him, he calls us to listen. Anytime we are exhorted to listen in Scripture, it's not just a call to open our ears, but to open our understanding, to absorb and apply wisdom. So God through Wisdom says that He will bless those who keep His ways (v32), it's a wonderful promise. His perfect and just and loving and merciful heart is contained in His cry. He is yearning for us to make His ways of safety and blessing be part of our daily worship.

He says it more clearly in verse 34, "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." So we listen, and then daily we watch for Him at the gates of decision, where we choose moment by moment if we are going to allow Him to guide us or if we are not. Do we watch daily for our God? Do we wait daily at the posts of His doors, ready to come into His wonderful and incredible presence? What blessing we miss in knowing our Jesus when we choose not to listen and watch and wait for our God! Like a newly married couple who yearns to be with one another, like a child yearning to see her long separated Mother, like one in suffering longing to be free from pain. How much more is our God that our spouse and our Mother and our comfort? How much more is the question that will reveal our heart. Do we yearn for our God? He deserves it!

"If the Son of God has been born into my human flesh, then am I allowing His holy innocence, simplicity, and oneness with the Father the opportunity to exhibit itself in me?" - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest