THE VOICE OF WISDOM

“Can’t you hear the VOICE of WISDOM? From the top of the mountains of influence SHE SPEAKS into the gateways of the glorious city…” – Proverbs 8: 1-3

One of life’s greatest Assets is the ability to hear and recognize the VOICE of WISDOM: “Can’t you hear the VOICE of WISDOM? From the top of the mountains of influence SHE SPEAKS into the gateways of the glorious city. At the place where pathways merge, at the entrance of every portal, there she stands, ready to impart understanding, shouting aloud to all who enter, preaching her sermon to those who will listen” (Prov.8:1-3, The Passion Translation). This passage personifies Wisdom as a woman who was calling out to all to come and receive her insight and understanding into the Heart of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Personification of Wisdom: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us WISDOM from God...” (1Cor.1:30a). A key revelation here is that WISDOM SPEAKS!

Wisdom Speaks Ways! Wisdom is calling to show us how to walk in this world according to God's Ways. Wisdom calls to all openly and prominently: “She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the WAY, where the PATHS meet. She cries out by the GATES, at the ENTRY of the city, at the ENTRANCE of the DOORS” (vv.2-3). Wisdom is critical at life’s junctions and crossroads: To know the WAY or PATH to take, and to gain Access through the right Door, Entry, or Entrance. Wisdom summons and invites us to be taught and to be enlightened. God’s Wisdom and Understanding are not hidden in a convent, monastery, or a closed room filled with dusty religious books. 

Wisdom calls from “the TOP of the high hill beside the way” (v.2a). Wisdom calls to us such that even in remote locations God wants us to have His Wisdom. “Where the paths meet” speaks of the place of DECISION in life (v.2b). When the paths come together and we need to make a decision, Wisdom and Understanding will speak out so we can make godly decisions. Wisdom takes her stand at the place of decision. God is always there; His wisdom calling to us, wanting us to know His Heart and the direction He wants us to take. 

Wisdom calls at the GATE of the CITY (v.3). This was where the elders and leaders met to make decisions that would affect the entire city. As they sat there discussing the issues of the city and the situations where wisdom was needed, they would be entrusted to make the kind of decisions that would work for the best interests of everyone who lived there. A nation and city are blessed when Wisdom speaks at the gate; whereas society is cursed when Wisdom is ignored at the gate.

Wisdom speaks with an unequivocal voice (Pro.9:1-6). Her Message is Ways! Wisdom speaks Ways! To every result under the sun, there is a way! Wisdom saves us from ways that could lead to defeat, complaints, murmuring, and regrets. Wisdom must precede and preside over all of our actions. We must learn to receive heavenly instructions before taking steps. Wisdom is profitable to direct (Ecc.10:10). Moving from Location to Destination, we definitely need direction! Wisdom joins her Voice with that of understanding; both lifted above the din of the crowd (vv.4-5). The two reveal the Heart of God: How God views things and sees the world, so we can make decisions in light of His Word.

Wisdom shows where God wants us to go and what He wants us to do and speak: “Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her” (vv.10-11). Our broken world becomes blessed when we listen, hear, and obey the Voices of Wisdom and Understanding. Wisdom is calling daily through God’s Word – “To what degree are we listening?”