Make Wisdom Your Friend

Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. J.I. Packer

The 8th chapter of Proverbs extols wisdom. Each and every verse sings her praises. She is superior to anything a person can hold in their hands. She is God's vessel of creation. She dances before the throne of the Almighty. She is ready and available in abundance to all seek her. There is a dearth of wisdom among men, through no fault of God or wisdom itself. Many are those who would pass by wisdom in favor of folly, foolishness and frivolity. Sad, for he that finds wisdom finds life and shall obtain the Lord's favor, vs 35.

Finally, we find this daunting promise in the last verse, he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

It is difficult to understand why so many would make such a poor decision, other than the obvious, they don't fear the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.

An angel appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean that in return for his unselfish and exemplary behavior, the Lord will reward him with his choice of infinite wealth, wisdom or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom.
“Done!” says the angel, and disappears in a cloud of smoke and a bolt of lightning. Now, all heads turn toward the dean, who sits surrounded by a faint halo of light. At length, one of his colleagues whispers, “Say something.”
The dean looks at them and says, “I should have taken the money.”