Proverbs 8:3

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about wisdom’s availability:

Proverbs 8:3 (ESV)

beside the gates in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

Wisdom is accessible.    That is the point being made in the above proverb.    Proverbs is about wisdom and the difference between wisdom and folly.   Chapter eight of Proverbs is about wisdom crying out to every person.  In the above passage we see that it is “besides the gates, in front of the town.”  Solomon wants us to know that wisdom is not hiding. It is openly available to all who seek it.  James echos Solomon’s words about how God makes wisdom available:

James 1:5-6 (ESV)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Solomon said it earlier in Proverbs this way:

Proverbs 2:3-6 (ESV)

yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

God makes wisdom available.  But, the world rejects God’s wisdom:

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 (ESV)

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

God wants to give us wisdom. It is available to all who seek it by faith.