An Exegesis of Book of Proverbs - Essay Example

The major theme that is depicted in Proverbs, is the fear of God. This means total submission to the will of God. Submitting to God is therefore the beginning of wisdom. God created the world through wisdom, and it is the first of the creations of God. It is only through wisdom that God can create order. Furthermore, human beings cannot prosper and live without wisdom. Seeking wisdom is the ultimate goal of spiritual life.                 

Proverbs Chapter 8, talks about wisdom and its role in the creation of the world. Proverbs Chapter 8 verses 22 identifies wisdom as the first creation of God. This verse denotes that before creating the world, God possessed wisdom. This is an indication that God valued wisdom, and hence, He had to create it first, before engaging in the process of creation. This position is further reinforced in chapter 23 of verse 8. Chapter 23 denotes that God created wisdom before establishing the earth. As human beings, we should also be under the guidance of wisdom. This is because wisdom will guide us in making accurate and correct decisions. Solomon understood the importance of wisdom, and that is the reason why he asked God for wisdom at the beginning of his reign. In 1st Kings Chapter 3 verse 9, Solomon asks God to give him wisdom and a discerning heart, so that he may distinguish between good and evil. This is while reigning over the people of God that is the Israelites. This passage, therefore, teaches us that before carrying out any activity, we need to use wisdom in making judgments about whether the action is good or not.      

Verses 24 to 26 explain the role of wisdom in the creation of the earth.  For instance, verse 24 denotes that when depths did not exist on earth, wisdom was brought forth. Furthermore, the chapter explains that when springs and water did not exist, wisdom was there. By carefully looking at this passage, it is possible to denote that there is a hidden meaning when the authors of this passage explain that wisdom existed before the depths, water, and the spring.  Water and springs normally symbolize life. Denoting that wisdom existed even before the existence of water and life, is an indication that wisdom has the capability of providing life to an individual. Verses 25 to 26 explain that wisdom played a role in the creation of mountains, hills, the earth, and the dust of the world. This means that virtually everything that exists was created by wisdom.  The language used in verses 23 to 26 resembles that of the language used in the creation story of Genesis chapter 1. Words such as “wisdom are set forth even before the beginning of the world, it is brought from the depths, even before the creation of the fields, mountains, and the spring”. These words resemble the language used in Chapter 1 of Genesis which denotes that in the beginning, God was able to create the universe. On a significant note, wisdom denotes its presence during the creation of the universe. For example, verses 27 to 29 denote that when God established the heavens, assigning the sea its limit, and marking out the foundations of the earth, wisdom was with God.           

 This is proof that wisdom played a role creation of the universe, and these words are consistent with the words contained in Genesis chapter one, on the creation of the world. For instance, Genesis chapter 1 verse 9, denotes that God gathered the waters under the heavens in one place, and allowed the dry land to appear. These words are consistent with verse 29 of Proverbs Chapter 8, which denotes that wisdom was there when God was assigning limits to the sea. On this basis, the language used in Proverbs Chapter 8 verses 23 to 29 indicates that wisdom is the master workman that God used in creating the world, as reflected in Genesis chapter 1. Verse 30 denotes that in every creation of God, wisdom was delightful. This is an indication that God's creation was beautiful and lovely.      

The role of wisdom in the creation of the universe ends in verse 30. Verses 31 to 36 explain the importance of being wise. For example, verse 32 of the scriptures denotes that blessed are those who are wise. This is an indication that God wants everybody to become wise, and it is the path to success. Verse 33 denotes that an individual should hear instructions, and this is the path to wisdom. This is an indication that anybody who rebels against the established rules and principles is not wise. Verses 34 of this chapter explain that an individual is blessed if he or she follows the principles of wisdom. Failure to be wise, amounts to death or destruction.

In conclusion, wisdom is therefore an important element that determines the success or failure of an individual. Failure to adopt wisdom will amount to failure in life, and possible death. Wisdom emanates from God, and it played a great role in the creation of the universe.