SERIES: Deep Relationships in a Digital World — Proverbs
TEXT: Proverbs 8:1-36
MESSAGE: “Slow Wisdom in a Hot Take Culture”
“Love has its speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks.” ― Kosuke Koyama
“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger…” — James 1:19
“The praise of wisdom, which has welled up at many points already, now breaks out in full flow, in a sustained appeal of great beauty and immense range…The progress of the thought may be traced somewhat as follow: wisdom is the would be guide for everyman, the partner of morality, the key to all success, the very principal of creation, and the one necessity of life.” — Derek Kidner
Q: What do we see about slow wisdom in today’s passage? We see that slowing down helps us adequately…(1. Appraise the Value 2. Appreciate the Craftsmanship 3. Answer the Appeal)
1. Appraise the Value (v. 10-11; 14-21)
“Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her…I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; 16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, 21 granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.”
“When silver…is the reward of wisdom, it edifies; but when made the aim of one’s life, it corrupts (1 Tim. 6:9–10)” — Bruce Waltke
“Impatience isn’t merely a quirk anymore. It’s our new default setting…We’ve been trained—and we’ve trained ourselves—to expect instant everything…Waiting feels broken. Like a design flaw in modern life. But the flaw isn’t in waiting. It’s in us.” — Dr. Eric Solomon
2. Appreciate the Craftsmanship (v. 22-23; 27-31 )
“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. 23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth…When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.”
“As we embrace the efficiency and innovation of AI, we are simultaneously turning back to the authentic…Luxury has always been defined by craftsmanship…The stamp of vision is felt only in the human touch.” — Tam Olson
“Wisdom is presented here not just as Solomon’s wisdom but rather as Yahweh’s Wisdom.” — Jonathan Akin
“The term translated ‘master workman’ (v. 30) means something like ‘architect.’ In his eternal divinity, God the Son (i.e. Wisdom) is the ‘master workman’ at the Father’s side, the architect of creation.” — Matt Emerson
“…Lady Wisdom is a figurative depiction of God the Son. This is because other biblical texts identify Jesus as God’s Wisdom, most importantly 1 Corinthians 1:24, where Paul calls Jesus, ‘Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.’” — Matt Emerson
3. Answer the Appeal (v. 32-36)
“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, 36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”
“Following Wisdom is the path to blessing; neglecting Wisdom is the path to death…following after Wisdom—Jesus—is the path to a good life now and an eternal life later…Jesus is saying you must choose. He’s saying, choosing me or not choosing me is the difference between life and death.” — Jonathan Akin
TAKEAWAYS: Will I slow down enough to…
- Question what I value most
- Enjoy the beauty all around me
- See that God is nearer than I think
“When he established the heavens, I was there…” — Proverbs 8:27
“Because Jesus is Wisdom, then, it’s a book that asks us to see Jesus and follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is to fear the LORD, which is the beginning and end of wisdom.” — Matt Emerson