PROVERBS 8:22-36
From here to the end of chapter eight the personification of wisdom becomes evident in the person of Jesus Christ.
8:22-23 - "The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was."
The clear foreshadow is of Christ. What did the LORD possess? It was wisdom, and it has been His throughout all of eternity, even before His act of creation. The word translated as “set up” means to be ‘anointed.’ Wisdom was anointed by God in eternity past before the creation began. But does this not refer to the Anointed One, Jesus Christ, and His anointing by His heavenly Father in eternity past? It undoubtedly does! From the beginning of time, our Lord has always been anointed by God. The words Messiah and Christ both mean ‘the anointed one.’
8:24-26 - "When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth. While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world." The immediate application is that before creation began, wisdom was present with God. This also expresses the eternality and preexistence of Christ. When the beginning began, He already was. See John 1:1-3.
8:27-31 - "When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth. The immediate application is that of wisdom guiding God in His creative works. The larger thought is to Christ as Creator. Implied in the latter portion of verse 27 is the concept of the earth as a sphere. The word translated as compass literally means a ‘circle.’ When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth. The point is that during the creative week, wisdom, personified in Christ, was there with the Father, participating in the creative work. The references in verses 28 & 29 are to the first and second creative day when the earth was merely a sphere covered with water. See Genesis 1:1-8. Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men." Throughout the creative process, wisdom (in the person of Christ) was with God. Clearly implied is the fellowship and intimacy of familial love which existed between the Son and the Father in eternity past. As the creative work was completed, wisdom (personified in Christ) rejoiced in His perfect work, especially in the inhabited part of the earth wherein God had place man. Notice how wisdom (in Christ) from the creative week delighted in imparting itself to men.
8:32-33 - "Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways." Wisdom (in the person of Christ) therefore cries out for mankind to pay heed. There indeed are rich blessings for those who:
hearken to wisdom and
hearken to the Word of Christ.
One will never go wrong to follow after godly wisdom or follow after Jesus Christ. They are virtually synonymous. "Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not." The thought largely has descended from the lofty heights of wisdom in Christ’s creative work to everyday wisdom. Nevertheless, godly wisdom is a priceless treasure as noted above. The godly advice once again is to listen to discipline, chastening, and correction. The thought closely parallels that of 8:10. The flesh never likes to be corrected or rebuked. But the wisdom of God is to receive it and refuse it not.
8:34 - "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." The personality once again is wisdom (but the greater One is Christ). There is a great blessing in paying heed to godly wisdom. There is great wisdom in waiting at the door of wisdom’s house. In the Old Testament, that was likely the Temple/Tabernacle. In the New Testament, that undoubtedly is the local church. In our churches, the wisdom of God is heard week after week. Though the metaphor is of wisdom’s house, the obvious application of that today can only be the local church. The greater point is that there is a great blessing in paying heed to the wisdom of God at the house of godly wisdom.
8:35-36 - "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD. As throughout much of this chapter, there is a dual application. On the one hand, there is life and favor of the Lord in finding wisdom. On the other hand, there certainly is life and favor in finding Christ who is wisdom unto us (I Corinthians 1:30). Both are blessings that will last for time and eternity. "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death." Those who sin against wisdom bring only hurt and early death to themselves. Likewise, those who reject Christ certainly are fools and will face the second death.
May each one seek the wisdom of God, which is ultimately revealed in the person of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Who has always possessed wisdom? What does this mean for each of us?
2. Why is it imperative that we pay attention to God?
3. If we fail to listen to God, we are foolish. What does it mean to you to be foolish?
4. How do we find life when we find wisdom?