Proverbs-Hating Wisdom=Loving Death

This chapter in talking about wisdom or Christ ( who is the wisdom of God ), is another cry  to awake and give heed to the things which we are hearing . It might be interesting to consider first what are the consequences of hating Christ or wisdom. The second verse ( today I've picked two for a change) is a check up in which we can evaluate our true interest in Christ.

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Prov 8:36

Their crime is very great; they sin against Wisdom, rebel against its light and laws, thwart its designs, and by their folly offend it. 

They sin against Christ; they act in contempt of his authority, and in contradiction to all the purposes of his life and death. This is construed into hating Wisdom, hating Christ; they are his enemies, who will not have him to reign over them. 

What can appear worse than hating him who is the centre of all beauty and fountain of all goodness, love itself? 

Their punishment will be very just, for they wilfully bring it upon themselves.

 1. Those that offend Christ do the greatest wrong to themselves; they wrong their own souls; they wound their own consciences, bring a blot and stain upon their souls, which renders them odious in the eyes of God, and unfit for communion with him; they deceive themselves, disturb themselves, destroy themselves. Sin is a wrong to the soul. 

2.Those that are at variance with Christ are in love with their own ruin: Those that hate me love death; they love that which will be their death, and put that from them which would be their life. Sinners die because they will die, which leaves them inexcusable, makes their condemnation the more intolerable, and will for ever justify God when he judges. 

O Israel! thou hast destroyed thyself.

Matthew Henry Commentary [ emphasis mine ]

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17

Those that love Christ are such who are born again, and have a spiritual and experimental knowledge of him; that believe in him, have seen his loveliness, have had his love shed abroad in their hearts, and a view of his fulness and suitableness. (...) the love with which such souls love Christ springs from their very hearts, is cordial and sincere; 

How does this love for Christ is expressed? [ emphasis mine]

It shows itself: 

by a high veneration for the truths and doctrines of his Gospel;

 by a strict regard to his commands and ordinances;

 by a hearty affection for his people;

by parting with and bearing all for his sake;

a carefulness of offending him, and losing his company;

by an earnest desire after his presence, and delight in it, and by a concern at his absence;

by a diligent inquiry after him in the use of means until he is found, and by the joy expressed at finding of him: now such Christ loves. 

(John Gill's exposition on the entire Bible)[emphasis mine]