We are given wisdom's second call in chapter 8, the call to wealth. We again find wisdom in the streets, calling men to follow God's path. In verse 5 she calls the simple and the fool, but not the scorner. The scorner was the one who laughed and mocked, so God passed him by. How solemn to think a man's heart should be so hard that he no longer hears the voice of God.
The invitation given in chapter 8 is to true wealth, the wisdom that is far above silver, gold, and precious jewels (verses 10 and 11). Verses 15 and 16 tell us that to know God's wisdom is to reign like a king. Again, verses 18 and 19 affirm that wisdom and godly living are greater in value than all worldly wealth. In verses 22-31 Solomon introduces an Old Testament picture of Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24,30). As we read this description of Christ in Proverbs, we can see Him as the creator of the universe. To know Him and to have Him is true wisdom. Without having God's Son as personal Saviour, all other possessions are as nothing. To gain the world is but loss without Christ. Earthly possessions can never satisfy the longing for peace and security. That longing can only be satisfied by God.
In chapter 9 wisdom's third call is to life. The first invitation was to the simple, the scorner, and the fool; the second invitation was to the fool and the simple; but the third invitation is only to the simple (verse 4). The lesson found in these first nine chapters of Proverbs is obvious--to reject wisdom is to accept folly! There is no middle ground; no fence in the middle of the road. Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me." No man can serve two masters, and no man can live without a master. We either follow wisdom (Christ) or folly (sin).
