Introduction
   Sometimes we're misunderstood when we describe that the Savior has been with the Father from the beginning, but that the Savior Himself is not actually the Father.
   We have explained that the only begotten Son has been the expressed image of the Father; He has indeed seen the Father; He was and is even now a Representative of and for the Father, Yahweh, the Ancient of Days.
   The traditional teaching of the Trinity, borrowed and adapted from pagan societies, has clouded the minds of people so much that it's hard to see the truth when presented. It's important that we acknowledge the Son and the Father for Who They are, and what They ultimately want from us.


Figurative or Literal?
   Beyond the allegorical and figurative, we find the literal throughout Scripture. We'll want to consider that with the word wisdom, and how it is related to us in the Word of Yahweh.
   When considering wisdom, Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible gives a typical viewpoint of what is commonly understood:
   "Dictionaries define wisdom as the ability to make sound judgments on what we know, especially as it relates to life and conduct. The wise do not value the quantity of knowledge by itself, but the ethical and moral dimensions of how we evaluate human experience and act on it."

Masculine or Feminine?
   Let's now start to analyze Proverbs 8 to see what we can discover. The author starts out saying,
   Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice? On the top of the heights along the way, between the paths she has taken her stand. Beside the gates, leading to the city, at the entrances, she shouts: “O men, I call, to you, and my voice is to the sons of men,” Proverbs 8:1 -4 TS.
   Here, the reference is usually made using “her and she” because there is, grammatically, no neuter gender in the Hebrew language. However, it should be pointed out that the usage of the words "her" and "she" used here were added, except in verse one. The word used in verse 1 is number H1931 and Strong's Concordance says, by definition, it can be either "he" or "she."
   Let's look at the same initial verses with a more masculine designation, and, in fact, let's capitalize some of the words:
   Does not Wisdom call, and Understanding lift up His voice? On the top of the heights along the way, between the paths He has taken His stand. Beside the gates, leading to the city, at the entrances, He shouts: “O men, I call, to you, and My voice is to the sons of men," Proverbs 8:1 -4 TS.
   Does this give a clearer picture of Whom we might actually be seeing in Proverbs chapter 8, in a figurative way? Who brings the truth of the word to "the sons of men"?

Messiah for Israel?
   It's interesting that this wisdom is described standing by the gates, leading to the city. Which city? Could we relate this to New Jerusalem, the heavenly city? If so, we should remember that the 12 gates mentioned in Revelation of this New Jerusalem has the 12 tribes of Israel named. That is to say that each gate has one of the names of the tribes of Israel over it.
   Couldn't we then say that Wisdom is standing next to Israel? Figuratively speaking of course, but literally, also, when we consider that Israel is the apple of Yahweh's eye,
   For thus says Yahweh of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches You, touches the apple of His eye,” Zechariah 2:8.
   The question really is in the beginning of Proverbs 8, is, "Who does Wisdom call? Us?" "Who speaks to our hearts and minds?" Yahweh’s only begotten Son, Yahshua, tells us the answer in the book of John.
   No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, “And they will all be taught by Elohim.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me — not that anyone has seen the Father except (Me Who is from Yahweh; he has seen the Father, John 6:44 -47 ESV.
   The ESV doesn't capitalize "he” or “me" here, but we understand this is Yahshua the Messiah, the Son of Yahweh, speaking. And, "He" (with capital H) is saying that only He, from among men, has seen the Father. Similarly, capitalize the “m” in “me” since it, also, refers to Yahshua.
   Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light, Matthew 11:28–30 ESV.
   If Yahshua only spoke what the Father told Him to, then, indeed, it is still the Father Who is doing the calling. But Yahshua is not the Father because Yahshua prayed to the Father. And we also are to pray to the Father, but we do so through the Son.

Understanding
   You simple ones, understand insight, and you fools, be of an understanding heart. Listen, for I speak noble words, and the opening of My lips is about straightness, Proverbs 8:5 -6 TS.
   This really should make all of us stop and consider what we may have thought we understood, because the One speaking now is relating understanding.
   For My mouth speaks truth; and wrongness is an abomination to My lips. All the words of My mouth are in righteousness, none of them twisted or crooked, all of them plain to him who understands, and straight to those who find knowledge, Proverbs 8:7 -9 TS.
   As we speak here at the assembly or write articles, we oftentimes will ask that Yahweh speak through us. This appears to be what we're seeing here with the author of Proverbs.
   We see this throughout Scripture. It is all inspired of Yahweh and for Yahweh's purpose, providing us the wisdom that we need, 2 Tim. 3:16.

From the Beginning
   We should always go back to Him to see what He has wanted from the beginning, keeping in mind what He wants from us at the end, also.
   Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your Elohim require from you, but to fear Yahweh your Elohim, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep Yahweh’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10:12 -13 NASB).
   Can we separate the fear of Yahweh and serving Him with all of our heart and soul and then ignore His commandments and statutes which He commanded Israel and any who would join with them to serve Yahweh?
   Scripture confirms that Yahweh doesn't change (Mal. 3:6), and that what He wanted from the beginning is what He also wants forever, Deut. 5:29. That is, what He wants is obedience from the heart, Ezek. 36:26-27.

Instructions Are Foundational
   Let's review what we read again from Proverbs 8:7 -9 TS, which says,
   For My mouth speaks truth; and wrongness is an abomination to My lips. All the words of My mouth are in righteousness, none of them twisted or crooked, all of them plain to him who understands, and straight to those who find knowledge.
   Keeping this in mind, and considering Who Wisdom is, let's consider what King David said, the one who had a heart after Yahweh's own heart, Acts 13:22.
   How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of Yahweh. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways. You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes! (Psalm 119:1 -5 NASB).
   The word "law" here is "Torah," the Hebrew word essentially meaning "instructions." The Torah, in most places of Scripture, as we understand, is a reference to the first five books of the Bible. The Torah is foundational for all the rest of Scripture, when we think about it.

Attributes of Yahweh
   I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine, Proverbs 8:12 -14 NASB.
   Would we agree that these are all attributes of Yahweh? Interesting to note, the Apostle Paul understood that the power is of Yahweh, as well as wisdom. Both power and wisdom are found embodied in the Messiah.
   Unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Messiah the power of Elohim, and the wisdom of Elohim, 1 Corinthians 1:24b KJV.
We should ask the question here, "Who has understanding, and how do we get it?"
   I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way, Psalm 119:100 -104 NASB.
   This Scripture says, "You Yourself have taught me." If we want understanding, we have to put into practice Yahweh's word which is written down for us by Yahweh's own Hand (right h and, to be exact).
   For King David, the words of Yahweh were honey to his mouth. Yahshua also told the people to live by the words of Yahweh (Matt. 4:4), written down for us today, that we might walk in liberty, living by His sweet word.

At Liberty to be Lawful
   So I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be ashamed. I shall delight in Your commandments, which I love. And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love; and I will meditate on Your statutes, Psalm 119:44 -48 NASB.
   The law, precepts, testimonies, commandments, and statutes; all the things prophesied that those who have Yahweh's Spirit would be given the help to do, Jer. 31:33. Freed in Messiah from the death penalty that disobedience brings, freed and walking in liberty as lawful citizens of Yahweh's household.
   The process is simple, but the truth has been distorted by centuries of abuse by false teachers. False teachers who didn't have Yahweh's Spirit indwelling them, but were out for themselves. Yahshua warned the people about following such blind guides (Matt. 15:14), but not everyone is blind. And there are the laws of the land which we are to honor, as long as they do not tell us to disobey our heavenly Father,
   Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey Yahweh rather than men,” Acts 5:29 KJV.

Wisdom Makes Kings
   By Me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness, by Me do chiefs rule, and nobles, all judges of the earth, Proverbs 8:15 -16 YLT.
   Who lifts up kings, judges, and rulers?
   With this in mind, it gives us more incentive to be an obedient people to not only Yahweh, but to the government officials as well, Rom. 13.
   It is He Who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding, Daniel 2:21 NASB.
   Obviously, we cannot attribute every word "wisdom" as a reference to Yahweh. But there are figurative areas of Scripture which give us a deeper understanding of Who Yahweh is. And also, Who Yahshua, His Son, is.

The Pre-Existent Savior
   What we can do now is to start thinking about Wisdom in terms of the Pre-Existent Savior. Continuing, in Prov- erbs 8:17 YLT, we read,
   I love those loving Me, and those seeking Me earnestly do find Me.
   Those seeking will find, but they have to earnestly do so.
   On the last day, that great day of the feast, Yahshua stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water,” John 7:37 -39 NKJV.
   Yahshua often said, "Those who have ears to hear, let him hear."
   So it does tend to go back to the idea that Yahweh has to open the heart and mind of an individual to be able to hear.
   Matthew 16:17 KJV, says,
   And Yahshua answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. In speaking of wisdom in a literal sense, James says that Yahweh will give it to us: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask Yahweh, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him, James 1:5 ESV.
   Even though the 12 tribes of Israel are addressed at the start of this letter, James does say "all" will be granted wisdom, if they ask Yahweh for it.
   Even Yahshua, as you may recall, granted the woman, who was not of Israel, healing for her daughter. It was by faith and belief that Yahshua could heal, that it was granted.
   Another thing that Yahshua did was to proclaim that He was coming back with a reward, which makes the next verse tend to stand out:
   Riches and esteem are with Me, enduring wealth and righteousness, Proverbs 8:18 TS.
   This, of course, would apply to Yahweh as well because He is the giver of every good gift. And, as we go along, think of Wisdom as speaking of Yahshua.

Who is Wisdom?
   My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choicest silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, to endow those who love Me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries, Proverbs 8:19 -21 NASB.
   Riches, when we think about it, are much more than materialistic silver and gold.
   Good health is certainly good, but a good heart is even better. Given a choice, would we want a room full of gold or a heart filled with Yahshua's character and attributes?
   One of the things we are to do is to walk in the Master’s footsteps. We know that He did walk in righteousness, as He never sinned against His Father's laws, 1 Pet. 21:22. He was blessed, and we will also be blessed if we follow Him.
   In Proverbs, we now hear Yahweh's Name spoken again. However, this time Wisdom is speaking about Him, which means Wisdom now definitely has to be looked upon a little differently than one would otherwise.
   Yahweh brought Me forth as the first of His works, before His deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, Proverbs 8:22 -25 NIV.
   Most translations will say, "possessed me," instead of, "brought Me forth," but the NIV has it correct in context of what we're now seeing more clearly.
As emphasized by the Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains, the word in Strong's Concordance (H#7069) means either, "buy, bought, acquire," or "create, bringing forth, such as, to give birth."
   “7864 I. הָנָק (qā•nā(h)): v.; ≡ Str. 7069; TWOT 2039—LN 57.186– 57.188 (qal) buy, get, purchase, i.e., acquire possessions with the exchange of money or bartered goods (Ge. 25:10; 47:19), note: for another interp in Ge. 4:1, see 7865; note: for qal act. ptcp. as n.masc., see 7867.5; (nif) be bought (Jer. 32:15; 32:43+); (hif) acquire (Zec. 13:5+), note: for NIV text, see 7871 (emphasis mine).
   “7865 II. הָנָק (qā•nā(h)): v.; ≡ Str. 7069; TWOT 2039—1. LN 42.29– 42.40 (qal) create, bring forth, i.e., create an object of a similar kind, as a figurative extension of giving birth to a baby (Pr. 8:22+), note: some translate as 7864; 2. LN 12.1–12.42 One Bringing Forth, Creator, i.e., a title of God (Ge. 14:19, 22; Dt. 32:6+), note: in these contexts the creation of objects of a different class or kind; 3. LN 23.46– 23.60 (qal) give birth, formally, create, i.e., produce and give birth to a baby, as a normal birthing process (Ge. 4:1; Ps. 139:13+), note: for another interp in Ge. 4:1, see 7864 (emphasis mine).” Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament), by Swanson, J. .(1997)
   By going back to verses 22 -25, we can highlight some other areas:
   Yahweh brought Me forth as the first of His works, before His deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, Proverbs 8:22 – 25 NIV.

Yahshua Brought Forth
   Can we say, "Yahshua was created"? "Born of Yahweh"? I have wondered about this myself and thought about how Adam and Eve were considered "one flesh." They were put together by Yahweh in a marriage (covenant) relationship, but what happened before this?
   Didn't Yahweh take a part of Adam to create Eve? Is it even possible that Yahweh could have done such a thing to Himself to bring forth Yahshua? What about the Scriptures that show that Yahweh alone did all creation?
   Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, Who formed you from the womb: “I am Yahweh, Who made all things, Who alone stretched out the heavens, Who spread out the earth by Myself,” Isaiah 44:24 ESV.
   Throughout this particular area of Scripture, Yahweh is chiding the people for worshipping pagan idols who don't even have existence, other than what the people put upon them. Yahweh is saying there is no Savior but Him, and yet, when we look deeper at the context we find something interesting:
   My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together, Isaiah 48:13 ESV.
   His arm is also mentioned in the next verse. Could it be that Yahweh, from the beginning, took a part of Himself to create Yahshua? Isn't He referred to as His only begotten Son and Who was "made" (came into existence, Heb. 1:1-5) as the expressed and exact image of Yahweh?
   O sing to Yahweh a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. Yahweh has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our Elohim, Psalm 98:1 -3 NASB.
   Is this an allusion to Yahshua, Yahweh's Salvation? Or is it just idioms used to describe things Yahweh Himself is doing? What does Yahshua say? He says in John 10:30 -33 NASB,
   “I and the Father are one.” The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Yahshua answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be Elohim.”

Mystery Revealed
   One of the great mysteries we are seeing revealed in Scripture, in Proverbs 8, and by Yahshua, is that He was with the Father, from the beginning; that He is the One Who spoke to Abraham, Moses, Noah, and the like.
   Because no man has heard the voice of Yahweh nor has anyone seen Him, the One Who spoke to Abraham, etc., had to be a Representative. Yahshua is That Representative and Ambassador. He is the Representative, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, for Yahweh. He did nothing of Himself, what He heard He spoke and by Him all things were created.
   From the beginning, we receive information that the Hebrew title "Elohim" can mean more than one:
   Then Elohim said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness," Genesis 1:26 NASB.
   Who is directing and Who is following orders? Who are working together? The answer is, "Yahweh and Yahweh." No, this is not a typo.
   Some chapters later in Genesis we see this clarified with careful discernment.
   And Yahweh hath rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Yahweh, from the heavens, Genesis 19:24 YLT.
   Yahshua pre-existed with Yahweh, as Yahweh. Other areas of Scripture confirm this concept.
   Then he showed me Joshua (Yahshua) the high priest standing before the angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. Yahweh said to Satan, “Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, Yahweh Who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” (Zechariah 3:1 -2).
   The false titles were removed here in favor of the original Names. With that done, we receive insight and wisdom into the Word of Yahweh. There is much wisdom to be gained by doing such a study and removing the error of men. Restoring the proper names in study, and the Sacred Names in our worship, gives much evidence to Yahweh's sovereignty and foresight.
   It's interesting to note that it was Yahshua, the son of Nun, who had brought the people into the Promised Land. Here, also, we have a high priest named Yahshua. These are parallels to what Yahweh is working out with Yahshua the Messiah, but on a much grander scale. For further study, research the "Angel of Yahweh," which our in-depth study called "Did the Savior PreExist?" gets into. Read it online now.

Before Creation
   Before He had made the earth and the fields, or the first dust of the world. When He prepared the heavens, I was there, when He decreed a vault on the face of the deep, when He set the clouds above, when He made the fountains of the deep strong, when He gave to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command, when He decreed the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him, a master workman, and I was His delight, day by day rejoicing before Him all the time. Proverbs 8:26 -30 TS.
   This is what is described in the book of John about the Word be-ng in the beginning with Yahweh and being as Elohim, and creating all things under the direction of Yahweh. The 1st century disciples understood this and this is what we also understand.
   Yahweh is The Draftsman, but Yahshua is The Master Craftsman.
   He is the image of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist, and He is the head of the body, the assembly, Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His stake, Colossians 1:15 -20 NKJV.
   Can it be any clearer? Yahshua was the One Who spoke and even wrote the law for the people. The following should have more meaning for us as Wisdom has been identified, and it is also the Wisdom we need.
   Rejoicing in the world, His earth, and having My delight in the sons of men. Now therefore, O sons, listen to Me, for blessed are they who keep My ways. Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it, Proverbs 8:31 -33 NASB.

Fear Equates Respect
   Fear of Yahweh was mentioned earlier in this chapter. It means we are to respect Him and do what He requires of any who would worship Him.
   The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth for ever, Psalm 111:10 KJV.
   Blessed is the man who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at My doorposts. For he who finds Me finds life and obtains favor from Yahweh. But he who sins against Me injures himself; all those who hate Me love death, Proverbs 8:34 -36 NASB.
   Re-read, but consider the One speaking and emphasize in your mind the "Me" in each sentence.

Final Analysis
   Upon final analysis of Proverbs chapter 8, we find it speaks not only of the nature of wisdom, literally, but also figuratively of Yahweh and Yahshua.
   And, what does Yahshua tell us concerning the love we are to have toward Him and His Father?
   If you guard My commands, you shall stay in My love, even as I have guarded My Father’s commands and stay in His love, John 15:10 TS.
   Just as Yahshua was Yahweh, as The Representative, we see and hear in the Torah, Prophets and Writings, that it is Yahweh we are to be obedient to today, from Genesis to Revelation.
   Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before Yahweh our Maker. For He is our Elohim, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His Hand. Today, if you will hear His Voice: “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, when your fathers tested Me; they tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’” Psalm 95:6 -10 NKJV.
   It was Yahshua who led the people out of Egypt, and He was called Yahweh. He was exactly as Yahweh, a perfect Representative, and even today stands as a Perfect Sacrifice for us to accept.
   He is the Great Shepherd and we are His sheep, if we follow Him with our whole heart and keep His ways which are His Father’s ways.