Proverbs 8:32-36: The Happiest Place on Earth

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:32-36

Blessed: O thy happiness!

Keep: observe, celebrate

Be wise: be or become wise, act wisely

Disdain: neglect

Blessed: how happy!

Watching: of man watching for admission

Obtains: to secure

Favor: acceptance, good will, delight

Sins against me: the one missing me (Wisdom) is one wronging himself

Wrongs: treat violently, both physical and ethical

Hate: enemy, foe, detestable, highly offensive, repugnant, disgusting

Love: beloved like, friend

"The happiest place on earth." That phrase has been linked to a place not far from my home, Disney World. Anytime you go, there are LONG lines of people waiting to enter, get on rides, or take part in any of the other activities. They will wait for hours to ride a 1.5 minute ride or the longest (Hall of Presidents) 22 minutes 48 seconds. 

However, that "happiness" is often very short lived, as you leave one ride and start the wait for another. The hot sun, crowds, and hunger, soon make everyone fussy and irritable. They have forgotten that "fun ride" they just enjoyed a few minutes ago. 

Wisdom on the other hand, provides long lasting happiness. We are to be waiting in anticipation for all that Wisdom has to offer us! That excitement of knowing and learning and yes, even being corrected, so that we can enjoy life to the fullest. 

And not only can we enjoy happiness, we secure delight from God! That is a great reason for happiness! 

The happiest place on earth, isn't an amusement park, rather it is found in anticipation and acceptance of Wisdom. When a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, the anticipation of getting Wisdom grows stronger. 

The happiest place on earth—the anticipation and acceptance of Wisdom!

Proverbs 8:22-31: Been There, Done That

Read Proverbs 8:22-31 here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+8%3A22-31&version=NKJV

vs. 22
Possessed: created, own, attain
Way: mode of action
Of old: from time of, since

vs. 23
Established: I was installed
Everlasting: long duration, antiquity, futurity

vs. 30
Delight: pleasure, enjoyment
Rejoice: to laugh (in pleasure); by implication, to play, laugh, make merry

Experience: The process or fact of personally observing, encountering, or undergoing something. Philosophy. the totality of the cognitions given by perception; all thatis perceived, understood, and remembered.

To have experience of; meet with; undergo; feel.

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/experience?s=t)

I've seen it all. I was there when..... I've been there, done that. I saw what happened when.... I saw first hand..... each can be said of Wisdom. 

Wisdom was with God before the creation of the Earth. Wisdom saw what God created. Wisdom was in the company of God. Wisdom knows and has experience. 

Been there, done that. Know the results. 

When facing an unknown situation, what do we do? Usually search for some knowledge of someone who has been in that situation and knows what happens. 

When we take a trip, we use GPS, or google maps. We want to know how to get to our destination. 

When we are going to a new place, we google it to learn about what it will be like, what to expect. 

When we ...... the list goes on. We want to connect with someone who has been there, done that. 

Exactly what Wisdom is describing in Proverbs 8:22-31. Wisdom was there before God created the Earth. Wisdom saw God create the earth and everything in it. Wisdom has been around since BEFORE the beginning. Wisdom has been there, done that. Wisdom has knowledge and experience of being in the very presence of God. Wisdom has seen what happens when people choose knowledge and obedience to God, AND when people ignore Wisdom. 

When I am facing a situation, I want to discuss it with someone who has been there, done that. And who better to seek knowledge and instruction from—than Wisdom! With a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God, I'll no only want to seek Wisdom, but I'll listen and obey what Wisdom tells me. Wisdom has been there, done that—and that is experience which I want on my side!

Proverbs 8:18-21: Wisdom's Fort Knox

Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries. Proverbs 8:18-21

Riches: far richer

Honor: splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances

With: in one's possession or keeping, in his power

Enduring: valuable, advanced, eminent, surpassing

Riches: wealth, sufficiency

Righteousness: prosperity

Fruit: figurative of fruit of actions, i.e. their consequences

Revenue: income, what is produced

Traverse: walk steadfastly, unswervingly

Way: mode of action

Righteousness: as ethically right

Paths: moral action, and character

Justice: pronounce sentence (for or against); to vindicate or punish

Inherit: give as a possession

Fill: be full of, have wholly

Treasuries: a depository, armory, storehouse

Fort Knox Bullion Depository

Have you ever read some of the facts about the Fort Knox Vault? The vault door weighs more than 20 tons! Wow! Since Fort Knox is filled with gold, it has very high levels of security in place. 

Once again Proverbs explains that wisdom is far more valuable than the finest and purest gold. As of 5:47 am ET on Nov 3, 3015 the value for ONE OUNCE of 24K ranges from $1129.5 - $1138.8. That is just ONE OUNCE of pure gold. 

Think of the value of gold in Fort Knox. Then try to comprehend the value of wisdom, which is even greater. It's incomprehensible. Yet, even with the value of wisdom and how easily we can get wisdom, we still continue to ignore it. 

We have the "ultimate Fort Knox of Knowledge" at our disposal. We have the combination to the vault. It's available to us 24/7. But sadly, we'd rather search elsewhere and be content in our foolishness. 

If someone gave us access to Fort Knox and said, "Help yourself. Don't worry about taking it all, because we'll refill it. It will never be empty." Once someone picked us up off the floor, from fainting, we'd be in awe. But that is EXACTLY what WISDOM says. And instead of being in awe and enjoying all the wisdom wants to give us, we simply say, "No, thanks. I'll do it on my own." And we leave Wisdom's Fort Knox empty handed. 

I WANT access to Wisdom's Fort Knox! So, the first thing I must do, is make sure that my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For that is the combination to gain access to the vault. 

Wisdom's Fort Knox is available. Will you put it to good use? Or ignore it? 

Proverbs 8:15-17: Diligently Searching

By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. Proverbs 8:15-17

Love: to have affection for , friend

Seek: with longing, long for, with the implication of earnestness, to search for painstaking

Find: Attain, acquire, take hold on, seize 

Time. 

On what do I spend my time? Each day has 24 hours. We all are given the same time each day—24 hours. 1440 minutes. 86,400 seconds. 

Out of the 25 hours, 1440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds—how much time is spent DILIGENTLY searching for Wisdom? 

Each DAY on AVERAGE we spend .........

• 7 hours sleeping.
• 3 hours each day watching TV. 
• 7.5 hours working. 
• 40 minutes each day on Facebook. 
• 17 minutes  exercising.
• 90 minutes communicating, socializing, talking (face to face).
• 70 minutes shopping
• 15 minutes reading books. 
• 70 minutes eating and drinking.
• 30 minutes doing housework.
• 60 minutes involved in a religious or spiritual activity.

Where does searching for wisdom fit in your daily schedule? Do you carve out a few minutes sometime in the middle of checking Facebook? Do you attempt to search for wisdom as you watch TV? Or maybe you just are waiting for wisdom to appear in your dreams. 

Long for. Search for painstakingly. With earnest. Diligently. 

If you knew that 1 million dollars was in your house somewhere–and you only had to find it—would you sit around all day "liking" random posts on Facebook? Would you sit down in front of the TV for 2 and half hours? I highly doubt it! You'd painstakingly turn your home upside down searching for $1,000,000! With earnest. Diligently. 

Throughout the first 7 chapters of Proverbs, we've read over and over how priceless wisdom is. It's a valued treasure. It's worth more than gold or silver. Yet, we simply sit and idly waste away our days. And then we wonder why we make mistakes. We wonder why we are wandering aimlessly. We wonder why we make foolish decisions. 

Wisdom is a valued treasure which we must put for a diligent effort to find and seize. And the diligent effort begins with a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Act 9:31 MSG). 

How much time will be spent diligently searching for wisdom today?

Proverbs 8:12-14: Super Hero Wisdom!

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. Proverbs 8:12-14

Dwell: abide with

Prudence: discretion

Possess: find out thoroughly; solve riddle

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Discretion: power of devising, discretion

Fear: reverence

Lord: deity, Yahweh

Hate: enemy, foe, repulsive

Evil: ethical wretchedness

Pride: highly exalt

Arrogance: swelling, haughtiness

Behavior: of moral action and character

Counsel: advice, advisement, purpose

Sound judgment: efficient wisdom, abiding success

Insight: understanding, knowledge, meaning—perfectly

Power: might, valour, of warriors, force, mastery

Super Hero Wisdom! 

As I read Proverbs 8:12-14, a Super Hero image came to mind. One with the strength and power to defeat the wickedness. Super Hero Wisdom has the power! 

Super Hero Wisdom is repulsed by evil and has the power to keep others from evil. But Super Hero Wisdom doesn't just have random power—she also has knowledge and advise that guides the power specifically to meet the need. Super Hero Wisdom cannot be separated from her power—she IS knowledge, discernment, and understanding. And because her super power is based on the Fear of the Lord—there is an unending supply of that knowledge and power. Her source is the Eternal Almighty God. 

Super Hero Wisdom—that is someone who I want to know and be along side of me as I face the evil in this world. And when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then Super Hero Wisdom is on duty!

Proverbs 8:10, 11: Focus and Desire

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. Proverbs 8:10, 11

Receive: take, seize

Instruction: discipline (of the moral nature), chastening, correction

Not: a command

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Choice: absolute chosen; to be chosen

Wisdom: ethical and religious; it is of inestimable worth

Desire: longing

Compared: comparable, suitable, equal

We are obsessed with money. Don't believe it? Then take a look at how much is spent on lotteries. We all would love to see that BIG Million Dollar check arrive at our front door. We all dream of having more money and all the things we'd do if we had it. 

But greater value than any amount of money or jewels or gold is Wisdom. Yet, we don't often put forth the effort into seizing wisdom as we do money. And that leads to the question, "Why not?" 

Why don't we value wisdom? Why don't we need to importance and need for wisdom? Why, when it is available, don't we seize wisdom? Why? 

It begins with our focus and desire. When something is important to us, we make the effort to get it. Soon people will start camping outside of stores to be among the first to get that one particular toy or electronic device. Many will hit the stores at Midnight just to get those things they want. No matter how tired they are, or the weather, or how crowed the stores are—nothing will prevent them from their desire. They will seize the opportunity to seize that item. 

Focus and desire—for things is strong and will motivate us to make any sacrifice necessary to seize what we want. Where exactly is the focus and desire for wisdom? From my observation, it is clearly lacking in our society as a whole. 

Focus and desire begins in the heart. And a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), will have a strong focus and desire to seize wisdom! 

Do you have a strong focus and desire for wisdom?

Proverbs 8:6-9: Lying. Is it a big deal?

Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Proverbs 8:6-9

Excellent things: princely things—as from a commander or honorable position; excellent things

Right things: in ethical sense, uprightness, as taught in the school of wisdom

Truth: trustworthiness, faithful,

Wickedness: wrong (especially moral)

Abomination: something disgusting (morally)

Righteousness: the right (natural, moral or legal), accurate

Nothing: does not exist

Crooked: fraudulent, anything tortuous (not direct or straightforward), deceitfully indirect

Perverse: distorted, false

Plain: straightforward, correct, integrity, right, uprightness

Understands: diligently, discerns

Right: straightforward, just upright

Find: thing sought, acquire

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Lying. 

Is it really something to ignore? Or is it a big deal? 

Is there such a thing as a "white lie"?

It is ok to lie so you don't hurt a person's feelings?

Is it EVER ok to lie?

Are there circumstances that warrant lying? 

What is a lie? 

Dictionary.com:

a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; anintentional untruth; a falsehood.to speak falsely or utter untruth knowingly, as with intent to deceive; convey a false impression

What does lying do? 

First off, it lays a foundation for mistrust. How can one be trusted if they lie? 

Second, it makes one question everything said thereafter. If you lied once, are you lying now? 

And lastly,  it starts a snowball effect. For when you lie once, you must maintain the lie, and that leads to additional lies. 

Justification for lying? 

Is there such a thing? Well, it's so we don't hurt someone's feelings. REALLY? Tell a lie, so that person can't trust us later? That justifies lying? 

If I tell the truth, the person won't like me? Again, REALLY? A person would like you if you lied, but not if you told the truth. And if that person won't like you if you told the truth, what does it say about that person? Is that really someone you want to like you? Someone whose relationship is based on mistrust and lying? Yeah, that's a great foundation for friendship—NOT! 

Lying. It is a big deal. It is not something to ignore. 

Wisdom does not lie. Wisdom is to be trusted. Wisdom doesn't try to flatter or smooth talk her way around issues. Wisdom is straightforward and honest! 

Perhaps if we all had hearts that were permeated with a deep sense of reverence (fear) for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), there would be a lot less lying and more honesty.

Lying is a big deal, because it is sin. That's it, period. No white lies, not justification, call it what it is—SIN. And that is a big deal to God. And if you want to live in accordance with His wisdom, lying will be a big deal to you too.

Proverbs 8:4, 5: Am I willing to listen and learn?

“To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart." Proverbs 8:4, 5

Simple: needing, "open minded", deceive, flatter

Understand: consider, diligent, discern

Fools: confidence in bad sense, silly, 

Heart: mind

Wisdom is directing her attention to those who disregard wisdom and sound advice. She wants the foolish to hear and quit ignoring the advice given. 

I bought a bread mix and decided to try my parent's bread machine. I hooked it up and carefully read the instructions. I put in the ingredients and turned the machine on and waited. And waited. And waited. However, when I went to check the machine.... NOTHING had happened. Frustrating. 

I am not an expert on Bread Machines. This is the first time I've used one. But I THOUGHT I had read the directions carefully. Yet, the machine didn't work. 

Wisdom tells me two things. 1. I didn't hook the machine up right. 2. The machine is broken. 

Wisdom also tells me that before I throw the machine out, I need to check to see if I assembled the machine wrong. That is the first place to check, since I this is a new endeavor for me. I can't blame the machine, if I did something wrong. 

The same is true in other aspects of my life. Before making decisions I need to check with Wisdom. I need to know the instructions of how to proceed. And if things don't go how I think they should, I need to check back with Wisdom to see if I did something wrong. If not, then I need to continue learning from Wisdom so that I can respond appropriately and learn from the situation. 

Wisdom is wanting to teach me. Wisdom is available and ready to teach. The key is, "Am I willing to listen and learn?" The foolish one says, "No thanks, I'll do this without instruction and see where it leads me." 

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 

A deep sense of reverence for God will open my heart and ears to what Wisdom has to say. And it will also create a desire to put that Wisdom into practice.  Am I willing to listen and learn? Or will be foolish and ignore sound advice?

Proverbs 8:1-3: Wisdom is SHOUTING! Are you listening?

Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? 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:

Proverbs 8:1-3

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Understanding: intelligence; by implication, discretion, reason, skillfulness

Takes her stand: station oneself for definite purpose

At the highest peak, where the travelers can see her

Cries out: verb give a ringing cry

She is at the entrance to the city, where everyone must pass by. She is making herself known. She is available. 

Wisdom is out in the open where everyone can see and have access and she is SHOUTING—HEY, LISTEN UP! 

Wisdom is SHOUTING—trying to get our attention! Perhaps today, wisdom would be using Twitter, Facebook, TV, Aps to SHOUT her message. 

No matter how loud Wisdom shouts, too often we drown out the advice with our sounds of ignorance and foolishness. Too often we turn to the "doctors" on TV, or advice from strangers with their 140 character limit on Twitter. We'd rather hear what sounds good, rather than the truth that wisdom has to offer. 

Wisdom is SHOUTING, trying to get our attention! She is easily accessible. Yet, we continue to ignore her. 

To have ears ready to hear and give my attention to wisdom, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). And having a reverence for God, will not only give me a desire to hear wisdom, listen to the advice wisdom gives. 

Wisdom is SHOUTING! Are you listening?