Wisdom's proclamation
Again it is a poetical personification of truth, of God's Word, of religion, morality, sense, prudence; for all these are included in the comprehensive conception of wisdom that is placed before us.
I. THE PROCLAMATION OF TRUTH HAS NEVER FAILED IN THE WORLD. The cry is coeval with the world, with the conscience of man. The preacher has an institution second to none in antiquity and in honour.
II. THE PREACHER MUST RE CONSPICUOUS TO AND AUDIBLE BY ALL. (Proverbs 8:2, Proverbs 8:3.) On raised ground, in lonely paths (Proverbs 8:2), in the open air, in the field and forest; and. (Proverbs 8:3) in the towns and cities, at the places of public resort and traffic, at the gates in the Orient, in the centre of Western cities, the preacher's voice has been beard. All eminent teachers in books are truly agents of Wisdom, and heralds of the kingdom of God.
III. THE SUBSTANCE OF TRUE PREACHING MUST BE THE SAME IN EVERY AGE.
1. It is human (Proverbs 8:3), and therefore intelligible, rational, practical.
2. It is especially addressed to inexperience—to the foolish and the thoughtless (see on Proverbs 1:4).
3. It deals with clear and manifest truth (see Hitzig's reading of Proverbs 8:6), and so commends itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
4. It is disinterested, free from sophistry and compromise (Proverbs 8:7).
5. It is just—correct and accurate in knowledge of human nature and of Divine things (Proverbs 8:8). And thus it is:
6. Acceptable and irresistible by the "honest and good heart" (Proverbs 8:9).—J.