Have you ever read something so many times, yet failed to see the true meaning of the words on the page? This happened to me not long ago. I have read Proverbs 8 many times. One day, I read this chapter and POW! There I saw how the Lord described the Holy Spirit. Look at the verses. Replace the word wisdom with the Holy Spirit. Every sentence is true of His character. Which part of the God-head calls us to Him? The Holy Spirit. Which part of the God-head has power? The Holy Spirit. (see Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, Acts 8:19, Romans 1:4, Romans 15:13, I Corinthians 2:4, Galatians 5:16, I Thessalonians 1:5, 2 Timothy 1:14)
The Holy Spirit only speaks truth and does no evil. He is only righteous and not perverted. God tells us that the Holy Spirit is a comforter, counselor (giver of wisdom), and instructs us in all godliness (giver of knowledge). (See verses: Acts 1:2, John 14:26, John 15:26) Verse 11 tells us that wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Job 28:18 says that the price of wisdom is above rubies. Matthew 13:46 speaks of a man who sold everything he owned to obtain a pearl of great price. We are to seek the Holy Spirit and do all we can to obtain him. See also Ephesians 1:13. Verse 13 says that “the fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth (a person who swears and speaks falsly), do I hate” Now look at Ephesians 4:20 which instructs us not to grieve the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 63:1 “O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” Now compare those two verses with Proverbs 8:17, “I love them that love me: and those that seek me early shall find me.”
Another good comparison: Psalm 5:8 “Lead me O Lord in thy righteousness because of mine enemies: make thy way straight before my face.” Proverbs 8:20 “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgement.” It is through the Holy Spirit that we are led into righteousness, wisdom, and understanding. See also Acts 2:4,1 Corinthians 2:13, and 1 Corinthians 12:3.
Personally, I think the next verses to be the greatest telltale sign that Wisdom in this chapter is the Holy Spirit. Look at verses 22-31. Here Wisdom speaks of being with God from the beginning, before his creation of the earth. He speaks of being with Jesus as Jesus spoke the world into being (John 1:1 Jesus is the Word). Jesus spoke the Word but the Holy Spirit gave the Word power. The two of them are partners. Like brothers, they are inseparable.
And Jesus told his disciples that he must go away for if he did not leave, the Comforter would not be able to come to them. He also said that it was important for us to have the Comforter. (John 16:7, John 14:26)
Some churches do not teach about the Holy Spirit. How sad. He is part of the Godhead so He must be important. In these verses, we learn that He teaches us about how to have relationship with God. I think it is high time we start acknowledging His existence and listen to what He has to say. Jesus said we needed Him and that He was more helpful to us on this earth than Jesus Himself. I pray you will open your heart and receive Him today. He leads you to intimacy with the Father. He gives you the wisdom you need to get through each day.
Be encouraged!
The Holy Spirit only speaks truth and does no evil. He is only righteous and not perverted. God tells us that the Holy Spirit is a comforter, counselor (giver of wisdom), and instructs us in all godliness (giver of knowledge). (See verses: Acts 1:2, John 14:26, John 15:26) Verse 11 tells us that wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Job 28:18 says that the price of wisdom is above rubies. Matthew 13:46 speaks of a man who sold everything he owned to obtain a pearl of great price. We are to seek the Holy Spirit and do all we can to obtain him. See also Ephesians 1:13. Verse 13 says that “the fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth (a person who swears and speaks falsly), do I hate” Now look at Ephesians 4:20 which instructs us not to grieve the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 63:1 “O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” Now compare those two verses with Proverbs 8:17, “I love them that love me: and those that seek me early shall find me.”
Another good comparison: Psalm 5:8 “Lead me O Lord in thy righteousness because of mine enemies: make thy way straight before my face.” Proverbs 8:20 “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgement.” It is through the Holy Spirit that we are led into righteousness, wisdom, and understanding. See also Acts 2:4,1 Corinthians 2:13, and 1 Corinthians 12:3.
Personally, I think the next verses to be the greatest telltale sign that Wisdom in this chapter is the Holy Spirit. Look at verses 22-31. Here Wisdom speaks of being with God from the beginning, before his creation of the earth. He speaks of being with Jesus as Jesus spoke the world into being (John 1:1 Jesus is the Word). Jesus spoke the Word but the Holy Spirit gave the Word power. The two of them are partners. Like brothers, they are inseparable.
And Jesus told his disciples that he must go away for if he did not leave, the Comforter would not be able to come to them. He also said that it was important for us to have the Comforter. (John 16:7, John 14:26)
Some churches do not teach about the Holy Spirit. How sad. He is part of the Godhead so He must be important. In these verses, we learn that He teaches us about how to have relationship with God. I think it is high time we start acknowledging His existence and listen to what He has to say. Jesus said we needed Him and that He was more helpful to us on this earth than Jesus Himself. I pray you will open your heart and receive Him today. He leads you to intimacy with the Father. He gives you the wisdom you need to get through each day.
Be encouraged!
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