Proverbs 8:35 - Find God and Here Comes Life and Grace.

Proverbs 8:35: Find God and Here Comes Life and Grace.

CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word 
Study:  

Proverbs 8:35 (NIV)  For whoever finds me finds life and 
receives favor from the LORD. 

CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:

Overview
After summarizing the benefits of this book (1:1-7), these first 
chapters take the form of a father exhorting his son not to reject (vv. 
8-33) but to embrace wisdom (2:1-4:27). He warned against adultery 
(5:1-23; 6:20-7:27) and folly (6:1-19), picturing wisdom and folly as two 
very different women (8:1-9:18). [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

Wisdom's eternal character is shown in 8:22-31 and ultimately 
points to Christ, in whom is found "all the treasures of wisdom" (Col. 
2:3; cf. Phil. 2:3-11; 1 Cor. 1:24; Jer. 9:23-24). Christ, who is 
wisdom incarnate, is the ultimate wise man. [New Bible Companion] 

8:1-36  In chap. 8 wisdom is exalted. As in 1:20-33, wisdom is 
personified and appeals for all to receive her instruction. 
8:32-36  The chapter concludes with wisdom's closing appeal. 
[Ryrie SB] 

The Commendation of Wisdom
The Blessings of Wisdom  (8:1-36)
The supreme invitation  (8:32-36)

CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.

Proverbs 3:13, 18 (KJV)  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, 
and the man that getteth understanding. [18] She is a tree of life 
to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that 
retaineth her.  

John 3:16 (KJV)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his 
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 
but have everlasting life.  

John 14:6 (KJV)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, 
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  

John 3:36 (KJV)  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting 
life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the 
wrath of God abideth on him.  

John 17:3 (KJV)  And this is life eternal, that they might know 
thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  

1 John 5:11-12 (KJV)  And this is the record, that God hath 
given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] He that 
hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not 
life.  

COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?

This section is the epilogue of the ch. 8 hymn of praise. It 
calls everyone to listen. Wisdom offers blessing and life to those who 
heed her, but cursing and death to those who hate her. Wisdom's 
gracious invitation is more desirable than anything and an invitation to 
a blessed life. [Nelson SB] 

Eternal life is the reward of the diligent search for wisdom, 
eternal death the penalty for failure (see 1 John 5:11, 12). The 
successful search for wisdom means the surrender of self to the indwelling 
of the Holy Spirit (see John 16:13). Such a surrender makes it 
possible for God to work upon us and for us the wonders of His grace. To 
give the same blessings to the unsurrendered would be as dangerous as 
to give a gleaming razor to a child. [SDA Commentary] 

In Psa.46:10 the Lord calls us to silence and inactivity if we 
want to know Him intimately. If it were not necessary, He would not 
admonish us to do it. The language is so simple and direct and yet we 
continue to rattle off non-stop chatter as we rush along the fast-track 
going our own way!  Why do we do that? It takes self discipline and 
the help of the Holy Spirit to be silent.  Even if we close our 
mouths, our minds race from one thing to another:  the unexpected 
meetings; the unending errands; the unwritten letters; and the unreturned 
phone calls. When is the last time you set aside everything else to be 
still before God?  If you sincerely want to know Him intimately, you 
will schedule some time soon!  How about today?  [In His Time; Walk 
With Wisdom]