Proverbs 8—Are You Listening to Wisdom?

Are you listening?

Has loss torn off a layer of callousness and opened your ears? Are you listening to the still small voice?

“Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? …at the crossroads she takes her stand…” Proverbs 8:1

Wisdom calls to you. Understanding raises her voice to inform you.

But are you listening?

If there was ever a crossroad at which to listen and look both ways, loss is it. In loss you need guidance. You’ve come to a dangerous intersection, and you need to humbly listen to wisdom and understanding. I remember the overwhelming feelings of vulnerability. If you’re facing loss, you are vulnerable, too.

Are you listening?

Listen and you will learn prudence and good sense. You will hear noble and right things. The words of wisdom and understanding are righteous and straight. Solomon implores you to choose it over silver, gold, and jewels. Solomon contends that nothing you desire compares with wisdom.

“When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep…” Proverbs 8:27

One of the most helpful reminders for me was my story of loss was a terrible micro story in a beautiful macro story. The gospel story is a story arc across all of history. That macro story is full of mountains and valleys. There are micro stories scattered across the timeline of history, such as stories of loss. Zoom in on your loss story, lose sight of the macro story, and you are tempted to despair.

However, keep the macro story—the beautiful gospel story—in view, and you can weather your difficult micro story. Micro stories, while admittedly difficult—can be rich journeys in the light and context of the gospel macro story.

Solomon reminds you that the wisdom you need in your micro story was present when the heavens were established. Understanding was present when God drew a circle to establish the deep. This is not new wisdom. This is ancient and firmly established wisdom.

Are you listening?

Wisdom is trustworthy and enduring. You can face your loss with God-given, enduring, and sustaining wisdom.

“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.” Proverbs 8:32

Even when facing loss, the gospel narrative promises blessing. The wisdom is simple. Keep the ways of God.

Are you listening?

Wisdom calls out and instructs you to listen. You are blessed—even in the depths of loss—if you keep the ways of the Lord. Walk in his wise ways.

“Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord…” Proverbs 8:34-35

Ancient wisdom calls for daily watching. Go to the gate and ask for wisdom. Seek after sustaining instruction. Go to the doors and knock if you want to find life and favor from the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Are you listening?

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8