Summary: Jesus Christ (God the Son) is the same as divine Wisdom, in the book of Proverbs. God's words, teachings and instruction are in line with principles of the world/secular wisdom. God's ways are also ways of worldly/secular wisdom. Loving and honouring God is the fundamental of wisdom. Wisdom ia a Two-in-One package, comprising divine/spiritual Wisdom and worldly/secular wisdom.
Wisdom's Part in Creation (RSV).
22 22 The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,[c]
the first of his acts of old.
23 23 Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 26 before he had made the earth with its fields,[d]
or the first of the dust[e]of the world.
27 27 When he established the heavens, I was there,
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established[f]the fountains of the deep,
29 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 30 then I was beside him, like a master workman;[g]
and I was daily his[h]delight,
31 rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the sons of men. (NIV)
22 22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
before his deeds of old;
23 23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
30 30 Then I was constantly[e]at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind. (NIV)
22 22 “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
23 23 I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
30 30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;[b]
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
31 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men. (NKJV)
Jesus Christ the Son is the Wisdom. There are 2 wisdom: (a) the literal wisdom, (b) Wisdom referring to God himself. Hence, listening to instruction and teaching of wisdom/Wisdom could refer to either and both. This may sound strange yet true. Because God's words, God's commands, teachings and instruction are in line with the precepts of the worldly/secular wisdom. God's ways have the same virtues and principles as the worldly/secular wisdom. Hence, wisdom and Wisdom is similar in commands, teachings, instruction and knowledge.
32 32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway. (NIV)
32 32 And now, my sons, listen to me:
happy are those who keep my ways.
33 33 Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34 34 Happy is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors. (RSV)
We must listen to God's words, commands, teachings, and instruction. God is the divine Wisdom. If we listen to instructions of Wisdom/God and wisdom, we will be wise (in worldly/secular as well as spiritual matters), we will be happy and blessed. God has promised many blessings and rewards if we follow His ways and obey His commands and teachings. Divine Wisdom has similar principles as world/secular wisdom.
The most fundamental of wisdom is to love God and honour God. In line with wisdom, we shall live wisely, in the path of righteousness, just and virtuous, filled with wisdom, understanding, insight and knowledge.
35 34 For he who finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord;
36 35 but he who misses me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.” (RSV)
If we find wisdom (both world/secular wisdom and divine Wisdom), we will have a full life, both our life in this world as well as our spiritual life. We will also find favour with God, be liked by God.
Wisdom comes in a dual package: divine/spiritual Wisdom plus worldly/secular wisdom. We cannot just desire for one only because this wisdom/Wisdom is a Two-in-One package. We cannot aim to have only secular/world wisdom and not loving/honouring God. We cannot have the spiritual wisdom (loving God) yet do the worldly folly (not following the path of the righteous and virtuous).
Monday, Jan 13, 2014.
Michael Yeap.
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=NIV
RSV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%208&version=RSV
NKJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%208&version=NKJV
Commentaries:
3) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.8.22-Prov.8.31
4) http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Prov.8.32-Prov.8.36
