Proverbs 8:12-31, Wisdom, the Wonderful Word!
April 1, Proverbs 8:12-31
John 1:1-18 “God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Heb. 1:1-2)
Wisdom, the Wonderful Word!
Charles Bridges said of this remarkable passage: “It is none other than the Wisdom of God; the source of all light and knowledge, the King of kings; the loving rewarder of his children, the rich Portion and unfailing guide of his people. Look at Him again in His Divine glory as the only-begotten Son of God, the Mediator in the everlasting Redemption, the Almighty Creator of the world, the Friend of sinners.”
- The Finished Revelation: Wisdom is the opposite of Dame Folly. She only calls men to ruin for time and eternity. “We are on the wrong track when we look for more or less complete resemblances between the Wisdom of Proverbs and the Sophia [goddess] of the Greeks. It is much rather an anticipation of Jesus than a pale reflection of Greek thought” (Maclaren). We affirm that this Wisdom is no carry-over from Greek mythology, but stands as dependent only on the revelation of God in His Word. Even skeptics allow that there is a deeper mystery in this passage, that we are receiving some new disclosure. Turning to the NT, we find there the key that unlocks this mystery. Here is thought that soars to the limits of the mind of man. Does not Wisdom prepare us for the creative Word of John’s prologue? There, John presents the deepest truths in simple words and short sentences. They are uttered so plainly without suggesting there is any need of proof. We are simply confronted with the Eternal Word by whom all things were made.
a. Better Prospects: Wisdom cries, My delights are with the sons of men (v.31). The finished revelation shows that the Word took upon Him the nature of man to bear their sins (Jn. 1:14; Phil. 2:7-8). The divine purpose made certain the miracle of the Incarnation. O, the depths of the heart of God that led Him to give His beloved, only-begotten Son, to redeem His people (Rom. 11:33). Proverbs 8 is only the faint whisper, but in the fullness of time that supreme sacrifice became a fact of history, trumpeted from the heavens by the Angels (Lk. 2:9-14). Such love was too incredible for sinful hearts of men to believe. It was this grace alone that enabled the Shepherds and Wise Men to believe and worship the Babe in a manger. Amazing grace is still opening hearts of sinners to receive His salvation.
b. Better Promises: Wisdom is described with a beauty that attracts us to her promises, but He who is the altogether lovely One (SofS 5:16) has drawn so much nearer to us and calls us with those better promises. Wisdom promised bread and wine, and this was realised in Christ, the Bread of Life. Paul declares, For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him Amen (2 Cor. 1:20). Again, Paul warns not to despise the riches of his goodness (Rom. 2:4). He rejoices that he should be given grace to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph. 3:8). Only the Eternal Word, Incarnate, could say, He that sins against me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Thought: “Christ took up our flesh that he might take up our sins” (T. Watson).
Prayer: Help me, Lord, like the Shepherds and Wise Men to kneel and adore.