The Scripture passages are identified with bold upright font and the author’s notes are identified with italic regular font.
Note – All words or phrases found in quotation marks are actual parts of the Hebrew or Greek definition(s).
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Source and Fruit of Wisdom
Keep in mind that this is Wisdom talking to you from the pages of Proverbs. Therefore, when He/it states, “The LORD possessed me” (v.22) it is stating that Jehovah, which is who the LORD in the Old Testament is when you find it written in all capital letters, possessed wisdom in the greatest possible measure since the beginning of time, and before (v.23-30).
Whom else was with God from the beginning of time and before as wisdom was? Yes, Jesus, the Christ, our Savior, and in New Testament times, our Lord.
Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1), Jesus is Wisdom, God’s incarnated wisdom (1 Corn. 1:24).
Like Wisdom (v.22-30) Jesus was with God, LORD, Jehovah since the beginning.
Just as we need to listen to, follow, and obey Wisdom (v.32-36), we need to listen to, follow, and obeying Jesus in how we live, as Jesus is Truth, Jesus is the Word, Jesus is Wisdom.
If you lack godly wisdom all you must do is, ask God for it and He will give it to you (James 1:5).
What is the value of wisdom?
It…
† Gives happiness – Prov. 3:13
† Benefits are and of many – Prov. 4:5–10
† Keeps from evil – Prov. 5:1–6
† Better than rubies – Prov. 8:11
† Above gold in value – Prov. 16:16
† Should be acquired – Prov. 23:23
† Gives life – Eccl. 7:12
† Makes strong – Eccl. 7:19
† Better than weapons – Eccl. 9:18
† Insures stability – Is. 33:6
† Produces good fruit – James 3:17
The very last verse of this passage is so strong in its examination of the human condition that I am going to quote it again here.
“36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”
The person who chooses to reject Wisdom, to sin against the Almighty/Wisdom by rejecting godly wisdom is a person who sins against their own soul. To “wrongeth” our soul according to the Hebrew language means to ‘violently mistreat ourselves’, which is often done physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually when we use poor discernment and wisdom. It also means that we “make bare” aspect of our life that would flourish if we used godly wisdom. When we refuse God’s godly wisdom we “shake off” and “violate” His Will and thus damage our soul, as we enter into vain imaginations, ‘imagining wrongly’ what our life should be through our own limited lenses instead of through the Mind of Christ and the Wisdom of Jehovah God.
“wrongeth” Hebrew definition is as follows:
2554. חָמַס châmaç, khaw-mas’; a prim. root; to be violent; by impl. to maltreat:— make bare, shake off, violate, do violence, take away violently, wrong, imagine wrongfully.
Wisdom, wisdom, wisdom we must use wisdom, our life, the quality of our life, depends upon doing so!
Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.
Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:
This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
God's Truth in Love 