“Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” (Proverbs 8:10-11 ESV)

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had access to the tree of life, but were forbidden to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent convinced them God withheld the one thing which would make them wise.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6 ESV)

But they were deceived. The fruit only brought shame, suffering and death. Not unlike the offering of the adulteress in Proverbs 7.

But Proverbs 8 tells us God does not withhold wisdom – she calls from the heights and at the entrance gates for all to hear…

• “Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth;” (Proverbs 8:6-7 ESV)
• “For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,” (Proverbs 8:35 ESV)