“She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.” (Proverbs 3:13-18, NASB)

The book of Proverbs introduces two women, one symbolizing wisdom and the other immorality, drunkenness, and folly. It seeks to persuade us to fall in love with, embrace, and have a lasting relationship with wisdom. On the other hand, it warns us of the deception, danger, and disaster of the “strange and adulterous woman” representing the very opposite of wisdom. Both will give us lasting memories, but which one will give us an affair to remember that is good, peaceful, and happy? For Solomon, the answer is obvious. He writes,

“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”

Picture a woman standing before you, who is not only beautiful but also pure, saintly, and wholesome. She is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Her words are uncomplicated, meaningful, and sensible. She is before you as a woman who loves you, wants to marry you, and live the rest of her life taking care of you. This passage personifies wisdom as such a noble woman. Her qualities include longevity in her right hand and wealth and honor in her left. She offers pleasant paths, all leading to peace, and is a tree of life for those who hold her close. How could you not fall in love with her?

First, she held “long life” in her right hand. In the ancient world, the right hand symbolized the primary place of strength and value. For example, the Bible says that Jesus ascended to heaven and is “seated at the right hand of God” (Col.3:1). In this passage, the thing that wisdom held in her right hand was “long life.” This is not about the quantity of time, but more about the quality of life. However long you live, it will be filled with meaning, peace, and happiness.

Second, she held “riches and honor” in her left hand. This imagery teaches a profound spiritual hierarchy. Wisdom comes before wealth. Goodness before goods. Respect before reputation. When we seek God’s wisdom, all of the “fringe benefits” of life will follow. They should not be the primary goal in life, but when we follow God, they will be added to us. Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt.6:33). Solomon experienced this firsthand in his life. When God offered him anything he desired, he asked for wisdom so he could lead the people with fairness and integrity. God responded by saying, “Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart… And I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days… If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days” (1 Ki.3:10-14).

Third, her ways are “pleasant” and full of “peace.” True success in life is not measured by wealth, but by peace. If a career move or financial decision offers “riches” but destroys your “peace,” would you want it? Walking in the ways of wisdom will bring peace, and eventually “riches and honor” as well.

Lastly, she is described as a “tree of life” to those who embrace her. Obviously, this is a reference to the Garden of Eden, where God provided the tree of life so that the inhabitants of the garden could freely enjoy it. However, Satan tempted the man and woman with the “fruit” that would make them wise like God, which gave them the very opposite effect. Embracing wisdom means rejecting the tree of knowledge of good and evil and choosing the tree of life instead. It is embracing God’s truth above all other truths and measuring them by His wisdom. Two women, symbolizing wisdom and folly. Who will you choose to fall in love with? With whom do you want to have an affair to remember?

• Why does Solomon keep comparing wisdom to a beautiful woman?
• What are some disciplines that will keep you “holding fast” to wisdom, and what pulls you away?