Wise Living - The Worldview of Wisdom (Proverbs Ch 8) Part 1

Greetings! Today we will delve into the deep well of truth presented in Pastor Sam Merigala’s recent sermon on the glorious wisdom found in Proverbs Chapter 8. This profound teaching calls us away from the ways of death and sordidness described elsewhere, lifting before us a brightly positive, God-centered worldview that is inherently joyous. The overarching theme of this wisdom speech is to provide inspiration and encouragement for the reader to pursue life itself.

Pastor Merigala reveals that although the sage is speaking, using the figure of speech known as personification to portray Wisdom as an elegant lady - the very antithesis of the adulteress in Proverbs 7 - the ultimate voice we are hearing is that of Christ Himself, our Creator-Savior. This glorious truth is presented in four divine movements, guiding us from the public call of wisdom to the necessary decision we must make.

I. Wisdom Commands Us to Prize Her (Proverbs 8:1–11)

The first movement of the wisdom speech focuses on Christ’s urgent command for us to prize His wisdom above all else. Unlike someone who retreats, Christ does not wait for us to find Him; He actively moves toward us, seeking the masses where we live our daily lives. Wisdom raises her voice in the most public of settings - on the heights, at the crossroads, and beside the gates where important decisions are taken. The calling is so public that no soul can claim ignorance.

To whom does Christ appeal? His heart is bigger than merely scholars or religious folk. He calls out "To you, O men," and "to the children of man," extending His invitation even to sinners and those who have made many mistakes, because He is longsuffering and unwilling that any should perish.

Pastor Merigala instructs us concerning the specific audience:

1. Simple ones: These are souls not yet fully shaped by either wisdom or folly. They are urged to learn prudence - a necessary character skill for navigating life’s issues.
2. Fools: These are those who have already rejected the path of wisdom, despising instruction. They are challenged to perform a spiritual U-turn, to reconsider wisdom and “come to their senses” by changing the core of their thinking.

Christ ignores only the scoffers - those whose hearts are too hard to hear and who react with meanness and abuse when corrected. For the rest of us, including the fools, Christ simply asks for humble openness.

We are given two essential commands in this section:

1. “Hear” (v. 6): We must listen with complete openness. We can trust Wisdom’s words entirely because they are noble, right, true, righteous, and free of anything twisted, crooked, or deceptive. There is no "catch" or "fine print" in wisdom; what you see is what you get. Christ is incapable of giving us anything less than noble things; His gospel raises our standards above the vulgar.
   • The Challenge of Reception: The Word of God is open to the open person. If our inner world is biased in favor of Self, the gospel will leave us feeling misunderstood and resentful. Therefore, we must approach every encounter with the gospel pre-committed humbly to obey whatever Christ says, receiving the implanted word with meekness.
2. “Take” (v. 10): We must choose what we will grab hold of, recognizing it is an either/or decision: "Take my instruction instead of silver". We cannot serve God and money simultaneously, for whatever we take eventually takes us. Wisdom does not promise material riches but urges us to seek eternal wealth instead of gold, silver, and precious stones. The blessings Wisdom offers - such as prudence, the fear of the Lord, humility, and strength - are things money cannot buy.

II. Wisdom is Powerful and Brings True Wealth (Proverbs 8:12–21)

The sermon exults wisdom's broad relevance to life here and now, demonstrating how she enriches all who love her. Pastor Merigala reminds us that Christ, speaking as Wisdom, is the source of all functional power in the world.

Wisdom dwells with prudence, knowledge, and discretion, and provides counsel, resourcefulness, insight, and heroic strength. She furnishes both strategies that succeed and the strength to carry them out. Critically, Wisdom belongs only to those who humble themselves, as it is spiritual wisdom, not the earthly, unspiritual wisdom prone to bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. The successful man is not the "Super-Genius," but the one who walks humbly with God, like Noah, whose choices proved sensible and functional.

Furthermore, Christ is the secret to success even in human leadership; it is "by me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just". For the body of believers, true success requires wise, seasoned, humble, and Christlike leaders.

Christ promises His fullness to those who seek Him:

• The Diligent Seekers: Christ loves those who love Him, and those who seek Him diligently find Him. Diligently means seeking Him "with intentionality, going out of our usual way, breaking with routine".
• The Superior Prize: While merely desiring money can plunge people into ruin, if we love and seek Christ as the prize of our hearts, He supplies all the money, treasure, and honor we need to serve Him. He promises enduring wealth, honor, and righteousness. His fruit and yield are better than fine gold or choice silver.

Pastor Merigala underscores that Christ walks in the way of righteousness, guaranteeing that He will keep His promises, even to beginners who are seeking Him.

III. Wisdom is Profound and Joyous in Creation (Proverbs 8:22–31)

We now turn our gaze to the deep antiquity of wisdom, exulting in her existence before the world began. This passage outlines the doctrine of creation. Wisdom was "set up" ages ago, possessed by the Lord at the beginning of His work, preceding the depths, the springs, the mountains, and the hills.

Pastor Merigala teaches that Wisdom was there when the heavens were established, when the sea was assigned its limit, and when the foundations of the earth were marked out. She was beside the Lord "like a master workman," daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always. While the eternal Son of God was never created, this passage powerfully foreshadows Christ as the creative Word that brought everything into being, confirming that the power and splendor of God seen in creation are evidence of what God’s wisdom can do.

The sage’s profound point in revealing this doctrine is twofold:

1. Wisdom is External: The wisdom required for our lives is not inside us; it resides outside us, in Christ. Since even God did nothing without wisdom, we certainly cannot.
2. Wisdom is Joyous Over Us: Wisdom is not a nag. Joy breaks out whenever wisdom is exercised. Christ, who is offering Himself, is enthusiastic and exuberant about His creation and delights "in the children of man".

This doctrine of creation carries profound gospel power. It means that living in His universe, we have nothing to fear and everything to enjoy. When we split our thinking between a small area called "religion" on Sunday and "the real me" Monday through Saturday, we diminish Jesus. But the true biblical worldview encompasses all of life; everything God created - the arts, family life, our jobs - is good, and though marred by the Fall, it is eligible for wise enjoyment under Christ. The doctrine of creation is a merciful step by God to free us from our idols and make life livable again. When we walk in Christ’s wisdom, all of creation works for us.

IV. Wisdom is the One Necessity: A Call to Decision (Proverbs 8:32–36)

Having declared God’s truth, Wisdom now issues a powerful call for a decision, recognizing that our response is a matter of life or death, leaving no room for neutrality.

The blessedness of life belongs to those who listen to instruction and do not neglect it. This is not a passive pursuit but one of sincere, life-changing decision (repentance and faith), resulting in a daily commitment to the Lord, like "watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors".

Pastor Merigala emphasizes the consequence of this choice:

• Finding Life: Whoever finds Christ/Wisdom finds life and obtains the favor of the Lord. True life, a life worth living under the smile of God, is the promise to those who enter in. Wisdom is possible through following and discipleship, not through skeptical detachment.
• Self-Injury: Conversely, he who fails to find wisdom "injures himself," or "does violence to himself". Those who hate God’s truth are heading for eternal death. The ultimate irony is that by protecting ourselves from Christ, we injure ourselves.

The wisdom of Christ is the one and only true necessity in life. The invitation is extended not to geniuses or experts, but to those who humbly admit they are a fool who needs a Sage. We are urged to grab hold of Jesus Christ, the crucified Friend of sinners, wholeheartedly, and never let Him go, for "Whoever has the Son has life".