Proverbs 8:32 Commentary and Bible Study

Then comes the main conclusive argument, ‘Now therefore listen to me, O ye children’, says wisdom. Be as children who will listen and learn and obey, for blessed – so happy is the Hebrew – are they that keep my ways. No wonder we get this great appeal. ‘Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.’ Blessed, happy, is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, as they did in ancient times, waiting upon the king, hoping that they would have his ear, to hear their case. Happy is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life. Look at the spiritual application: ‘and shall obtain favour of the Lord.’ Life and favour: that is what it is all about, divine wisdom, awareness of the meaning of life, knowledge from God's word brings you real life, everlasting life, deep life, and the favour and the kindness of the Lord.Hear instruction, and that is a warning because the word translated ‘instruction’ actually means correction, discipline, or chastisement. Hear chastisements, hear warnings. When you learn the wisdom of God and the word of God, be warned by the solemn parts. Respond to them, ‘be wise, and refuse it not’: do not turn aside from the negative parts because they are vital for us, for our happiness and our peace and communion with the Lord.‘Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.’ Watching and waiting is tremendous language. Happy is the person who constantly, every day, is listening to what wisdom has to say. The illustration is from the book of Exodus. It is of the priest waiting at the door of the temple for the time when the sacrifice is carried through and the blessing is to be announced to the people.