Proverbs 8:35-36 – For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.
Observation-
Proverbs 8 is extolling the blessings of wisdom. Wisdom has been around since before the earth was formed and can only come from God. Verses 35-36 present a sobering reality about wisdom. Find wisdom by having a relationship with God the Father through Jesus and you have life. Don’t seek to find God and you cause eternal fatal self-injury. Note the strong language in the warning at the end of verse 36. All, not some or a few that hate God/wisdom will love death.
Application –
Wisdom is not just a good character trait that is nice to have. Wisdom comes from God when we humbly, fearfully submit and seek Him. John 1:4 says this about Jesus, “In him was life and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the only route to the Father. Therefore obtaining wisdom in the Lord, having faith in Jesus and knowing His ways leads to eternal life. Contrast to someone who doesn’t find the Lord or is living in opposition to God will face death.
Prayer –
Father,
Thank you for loving me so much to send Jesus to save me from my sin. Let me seek to follow you, increase in wisdom and use that to share your love and gospel to glorify you.