What does Proverbs chapter 8 tell us?

Thus far in Proverbs, Solomon has spoken about the virtues of wisdom and the need to acquire it and live by it. He has also warned about the dangers of rejecting wisdom. Chapter 7 ended with a description of a promiscuous woman seducing a foolish young man. Now, in chapter 8, he lets wisdom speak, once again personified as a woman. She speaks about her existence before creation and her gift of life to all who find her. This analogy continues into chapter 9. 

Earlier in the book of Proverbs, wisdom was personified as a woman calling out in public to be heard (Pro. 1:20–21).

Pro. 8:1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

Pro. 8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

Pro. 8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

Pro. 8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

Pro. 8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Solomon once again uses this metaphor, depicting wisdom as she cries out from near and far for men to heed her call and listen to what she has to say. Wisdom's message is not obscured so that no one can find it. On the contrary, the basic principles of godly wisdom are so obvious that all people ought to hear and listen (Pro. 8:1–5).

Pro. 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

Pro. 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Pro. 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

Pro. 8:9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

Pro. 8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

Pro. 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

In contrast to those who are corrupt, crooked, or twisted, wisdom speaks noble, righteous, and true things. Her instruction is worth more than the finest gold, silver, and jewels. This is true in both practical and spiritual ways. A person who starts with nothing, but follows wisdom, has a better chance of becoming successful than a foolish person who stumbles into wealth. From an eternal perspective, this is also true (Mark 8:36): the soul is worth infinitely more than anything we might obtain in life (Pro. 8:6–11).

Pro. 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

Pro. 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Wisdom teaches that the fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. This "fear" is the kind of reverential, worshipful obedience that we should rightly offer to God (Pro. 1:7). In contrast, that which disagrees with wisdom is pride, arrogance, and corruption (Pro. 8:12–13).

Pro. 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

Pro. 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

Pro. 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

Pro. 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Pro. 8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

Pro. 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

Pro. 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

Pro. 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

For a leader to be truly benevolent, and just, they must use Godly wisdom. This is a national application of the same benefits wisdom offers to individual people: she loves those who love her. Once again extolling the value of godly wisdom, Solomon notes that the effects of honoring God are better than fine gold and choice silver (Pro. 8:14–21).

Pro. 8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

Pro. 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

Pro. 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

Pro. 8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

Pro. 8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

Pro. 8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

Pro. 8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

Pro. 8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

Pro. 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

Pro. 8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Solomon also notes that wisdom existed before God created the earth and the heavens. The depiction here of wisdom as something established by God before even the creation of the world speaks to God's perfection. At the same time, wisdom poetically speaks of being alongside the Lord as a master workman. This wording has led some to interpret this passage as a statement from Jesus, who was more literally "with" God in the beginning (John 1:1). However, this is a different context and not a literal representation of Christ. Rather, wisdom is an intrinsic part of how God created and enjoyed His work (Pro. 8:22–31).

Pro. 8:32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

Pro. 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

Pro. 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Pro 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

Pro. 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Returning to the theme of advice, wisdom urges human beings to listen to her and promises blessings to those who respond positively. She promises life to those who listen to her as well as favor from the Lord. However, those who fail to find wisdom—those who ignore God's teaching inflict injury on themselves and love death. They will ultimately be separated from God (Pro. 8:32–36).