8:22-31

Here “Wisdom” gives autobiographical details about herself to prove why listening to her is vital for living in God’s world, pointing out that God used wisdom to create everything (vv. 22–31). First, she says, “Listen to me, because I’ve been around forever,” (vv. 22–26). Wisdom has existed before anything existed: earth, depths, foundations, mountains, hills, fields, dust, the stars and planets in the heavens, the clouds, and seas. The reason wisdom is eternal is because wisdom is an attribute of God—he is all-wise (Rom 11:33). Think about this: God knows exactly the right way to use his infinite knowledge. He never has been “stumped,” nor has he ever said “oops.” Second, “Wisdom” says, “When it comes to living life, listen to me, as I was essential to the creation of everything,” (vv. 27–31). Everything God created was perfect and exactly as he thought it should be. Thus, at the end of God’s creative work the assessment was that “God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good” (Gen 1:31). Since God’s wisdom was essential to his creative work, you must have God’s wisdom to correctly live in God’s creation. No one knows life in this world better than the Creator!

1. Have you ever listened to a symphony? Most orchestras have 50–100 members. You might know a little about music, but could you correctly and skillfully apply that knowledge for dozens of players so that the music is beautiful and harmonious? Now, think about everything in creation!
2. What should you think about the God who “orchestrated” creation?
3. How should you respond to the “sheet music” God has given for living life as it should be (the Bible)?
4. What happens when you don’t follow the “sheet music” God has given? How serious can the consequences be?
5. How does a musician improve? Practice, practice, practice! The more you listen to the Lord, the more skillful you’ll live life. What kind of effort are you devoting to that?