Now, if you read my last Blog and read slowly the words of Proverbs 8:22-36, then you would be excused for thinking that there seems to be something familiar about this passage, particularly vv. 27-31.
Did it somehow remind you of Jesus?
Well, consider the words of John in his Gospel:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
John goes on to clarify who the Word is when he says:
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
He is talking about Jesus!
But, is Proverbs talking about Jesus? Certainly, when we consider John 1, then these words would fit for the Son of God. Jesus could say concerning himself:
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
So, is this suggesting that Lady Wisdom was “divine”? It seems not. Let me share the thoughts of a few of the Wisdom literature scholars:
Graeme Goldsworthy: “Wisdom is not a divine person but the aspect of God’s nature that is expressed in creation and later in redemption, the first of his works [v. 22] … this passage does not support the view that it is speaking of a divine person as such. Yet the reality of God’s creative wisdom is eventually given personal expression in the New Testament. There the function of Christ in creation fulfils everything that is stated here of wisdom’s role. This is characteristic of the whole progressive revelation of the Bible, in which Christ is finally revealed as the fulfiller of the Old Testament.”
He then mentions John 1:1-3 (above) as well as Colossians 1:15-16 and also 1 Corinthians 1:21-24, 30 (if you have time read these passages), then says: “Jesus Christ, being God, perfectly exemplifies the creating – redeeming wisdom of God. As the perfect human being, he is also our wisdom by relating to God and to the created order on our behalf.” (# 53)
Kathleen Nielson: “These echoing connections [between Proverbs 8:27-31 and John 1:1-3] should fill us with wonder at God’s eternal plan as it is unfolded, all pointing ultimately to Jesus… this figure of Wisdom is not presented as any kind of divine appearance, but rather as a picture (a personification) that points towards something greater… toward Christ…
Once God’s full statement of his Word is given in Christ, then we get to hear the New Testament fully celebrating that Word as “Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God’ (1 Corinthians 1:30) – and ‘Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’ (Colossians 2:2-3). Proverbs point ahead to this fullness…” (# 55)
Timothy Keller concludes that “if God’s wisdom is Jesus, then we must also understand the gospel in order to be wise. (1 Corinthians 1:24). The logic of the gospel – that you are an undeserving sinner and yet an unconditionally loved child of God at the same time – brings a unique combination of humility and confidence that makes you wise in a way nothing else can.” (# 51)
What a remarkable book is the Bible!
May God Grant you the full riches of complete understanding, in order that you may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge… So, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him…” (Colossians 2:2-3,6)
Worship and Wisdom - Psalms and Proverbs 