Parable of the SoilGranted, the latter half of Proverbs 8 is both deep and lofty, but necessary if we are to grasp an understanding that “Wisdom”, though often characterized as a maiden in Proverbs (feminine in form), was ultimately personified in Jesus Christ. In other words “Wisdom”, what I have referred to as “Uncommon Common Sense”, was embodied in the person of Christ, the Living, Eternal Word of God, the Word made flesh (John 1:15).

I invite you to review my January 8 devotional that amplified Proverbs 8:27-31 before proceeding with today’s devotional thought taken from the closing verses of Proverbs 8, verses 32-36 that I will characterize as Wisdom’s final appeal to the sinner.

Proverbs 8:32[Wisdom personified in Jesus Christ speaks] Now therefore hearken [hear; obey; listen] unto me, O ye children [sons and daughters of faith and covenant]: for blessed [prosperous and happiness not dependent on one’s circumstances] are they that keep [observe; heed; guard] my ways [course; manner; conduct].”the Gospel

What a wonderful invitation we read here from the Lord! Wisdom, personified in Jesus Christ in the New Testament, invites all who will come in faith to hear and believe His Word. The promise to all who come in childlike faith is a “blessed” life, happiness not dependent on one’s circumstances. The invitation continues:

Proverbs 8:33-34Hear [hearken to; listen; obey] instruction [correction; doctrine; warnings; reproofs], and be wise [act wisely], and refuse [avoid; let go] it not. 34 Blessed [prosperous; happy] is the man that heareth [continually hears, obeys and listens] me, watching [keeping watch diligently] daily [continually; always] at my gates [doors], waiting [standing guard] at the posts of my doors [in God’s Word; in our day, the true Church where the Word is preached].

The latter proverbs bring to mind the Parable of the Soils [sometimes referred to as the Parable of the Sower and the Seed – Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23]. In that parable, Christ illustrated the different types of hearts upon which the seed of the Word of God, the Gospel is planted. A stony heart receives the Gospel with joy, but never allows its roots to penetrate the depths of his heart (Mt. 13:19-21). A carnal heart loving the sinful pleasures of the world, hears the Word, but his love for the world chokes out his acceptance of the Gospel. It is the heart that is good, open, honest and sincere that hears and receives the Gospel with joy and his life evidences the lasting fruit of spiritual life. This is the heart that is daily and continually receptive of the Word of God.

Proverbs 8:35-36 closes the chapter with a contrast between two hearts: The heart of man who receives the Word and believes Christ died for his sin and the sinner who refuses to believe and rejects Jesus Christ at the loss of his soul.

come to the crossProverbs 8:35-36For whoso findeth [acquire; attain] me [Wisdom personified in Jesus Christ] findeth [acquire; attain] life [spiritual and eternal life – 1 John 5:11], and shall obtain [get; secure; produce] favour [acceptance; good pleasure; goodwill] of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth [sins; commit trespass; offends; misses the mark] against me [Christ the Lord] wrongeth [violates; treats violently] his own soul [life; person; mind; spirit]: all they that hate [are enemies or foes] me [wisdom, ultimately personified in Christ] love death [pestilence; ruin; hades].”

I close with a question: What manner of man/woman are you? You are either one who has confessed you are a sinner and believed Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose from the dead or you are lost in sin and, apart from trusting Jesus Christ as Savior, bound for hell and everlasting punishment for your sin. My friend, I invite you to put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior before it is eternally too late.

Revelation 20:12-15 – “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and John 3.16the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Copyright 2015 – Travis D. Smith