Loving Them that Love Me - Proverbs 8:17

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth”, and in chapter eight and verse seventeen of Proverbs Solomon said, “I love them that love me” where we read,

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

The verse begins, “I love them that love me;” Solomon began with the words, “I love them” or “I, wisdom, have friendship and affection toward the people whether male or female” “that love me” which means “who have friendship and affection toward me, wisdom”. Solomon shared how there is a reciprocal affection from “wisdom” to people who are affectionate toward it.

The verse continues, “and those that seek me early shall find me.” Solomon added the words, “and those that seek me early” or “and the people whether male or female who earnestly and diligently me, wisdom, betimes or beforehand” “shall find me” which means “will attain, acquire, secure and discover me, wisdom”. Solomon said people who diligently search and look for “wisdom” in advance of needing it will indeed discover it.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how “wisdom” is readily available to everyone who has affection for and desires to discover it before they need it. God's “wisdom” is available to everyone who has a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and extend to us His “wisdom” as we express our passionate desire to conduct ourselves according to His “wise” ways. (See James 1:5)

Next time Solomon says, “riches and honor are with me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".