The world itself is about 6,000-10,000 years old. Anything that old would have to be highly valuable, preserved over time, and most likely on display and highly guarded in a museum somewhere. No one could actually possess it, but millions would want to see it. So, it is astounding that there is something even older than the world that anyone can have. It is better than silver, gold, and rubies (Pro. 8:10,11). It is something that kings, princes, nobles, and anyone in authority all need and use (Pro. 8:15,16). It is something that the Lord possessed in the beginning and was “set up from everlasting” (Pro. 8:22,23). Solomon declared that this ancient thing was around before there were seas, springs, mountains, hills, fields, or even dust (Pro. 8:24-26). This extremely aged and valuable thing was with God “When he prepared the heavens” (Pro. 8:27) and “when he appointed the foundations of the earth” (Pro. 8:29). In fact, it was beside God as “a master craftsman” (Pro. 8:30; NKJV). It calls out to every man and woman today (Pro. 8:1-4). It is wisdom! James said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Since God possessed wisdom before the world was created, then He knows best how to give it. Everyone will face various trials in life and we need to ask God for valuable wisdom to handle them. We don’t have to worry about God “upbraiding” or criticizing us because He understands our weaknesses and inadequacies and truly desires to help us obtain wisdom. Through His providence, His Word, and the various experiences of our daily lives, wisdom is granted to the faithful who ask God for it. We all need to be “wise unto salvation” (2 Tim. 3:15) and God alone can provide the age-old wisdom we need to find life and favor from Him (Pro. 8:35)
Derrick Coble
Derrick Coble