She is not for everyone, though she would like to be. She would embrace man or woman as a friend and companion. Her presence is not often found among the youth, and unfortunately, not always with those of many years. She is found in the company of kings and rulers and would never flee from anyone that desired her, great or small. She offers so much and requires only that you listen and take heed to her. Even though we would neglect her, scorn her, say all manner of evil things about her, she would return, without question. Do you know her? She is wisdom.
The personification of wisdom in Proverbs highlights a relationship that we might be neglecting (1:20-33; 8:1-9:12). We have passed into an age where common sense has truly become un-common sense. To be fair, mankind has always struggled with the concept of wisdom and right paths. “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Yet, it seems that now the collective wisdom is as watered down as cafeteria lemonade. Everyone is their own standard of truth, reason, and morality. Things that we never even suspected would be questioned or contended are on the table of public scrutiny. What is our best course of action? “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:8-10).
We must heed the call of wisdom and encourage others to do the same. “Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?” (Prov. 8:1). “Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, for blessed are they who keep my ways. Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death” (Prov. 8:32-36).
Would it surprise you that the opposite of wisdom is also personified as a woman in Proverbs, the woman of folly. “The woman of folly is boisterous, she is naive and knows nothing. She sits at the doorway of her house, on a seat by the high places of the city, calling to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight… But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol” (Prov. 9:13-15, 18). She is opposite in every way. There is no middle ground as to whom we heed. Pray, practice and press on toward wisdom (Jas. 1:5).