Proverbs 8: A Glimpse Of Jesus
We're going to take a look at the 8th chapter of the book of Proverbs, which was written by Solomon. Although he was not considered to be one of the major prophets, many of his Proverbs, the 8th in particular, are very prophetic. Following the death of his father, King David, Solomon became king at a very young age, and he prayed to God for wisdom. God was pleased with Solomon because he had not asked for wealth or longevity, but rather for wisdom in leadership, and because of this, Solomon was granted riches and honor in addition to wisdom. God granted Solomon's request for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:12..."Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." This tells us that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, and as such, God chose to use Solomon's wisdom to reveal his redemptive plan to mankind. The 8th chapter of Proverbs is a glimpse of Jesus unlike any other. It is almost as if it were Jesus Himself speaking through Solomon. Jesus is wisdom, and so, as we read these verses, keep this in mind, and then we'll take a look at a few of the key verses in the chapter and how they reveal Jesus to us.
"Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom; and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. 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. 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. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 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: Then was I 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. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."
Although the entire chapter is very evocative of Jesus, there are certain phrases, and verses, which solidify this. We begin with verse 17..."I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." Those who seek for Jesus and love Him sincerely are beloved by Him. He tells us in John 15:9-12..."As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
Furthermore, we read in verse 20-21..."I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures." The substance referred to here is not worldly wealth, but rather wisdom. Jesus is wisdom incarnate, for He is the Source of all wisdom, and to have the knowledge of Him is riches and treasure to the soul. Paul tells us in Colossians 2:2-3..."That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Verse 22 reads..."The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old." Here, the entire tone of the chapter changes, as we begin to see concrete affirmation that these are indeed the words of Jesus, perhaps simply recorded by Solomon, who was deemed worthy by virtue of the wisdom which God had endowed him with. Jesus is the eternal Word, as we read in John 1:1-2..."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." So, we can see that Jesus, being the wisdom of God, was with God from the beginning.
We read in verse 23..."I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." The phrase here "I was set up from everlasting" is, in the Hebrew, "nissakti meowlam", literally translated as "anointed from eternity", or set apart in the purpose of God from the beginning. Interestingly, this Hebrew verb "nissakti" also appears in Psalms 2:6-7, part of David's prophecy concerning Jesus..."Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." This tells us that God, from all eternity, anointed the Word, His Wisdom, Jesus, to be Lord and King over all of creation. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:7-8..."...we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Jesus reveals to us in Revelation 22:13..."I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
Further, in verse 30-31 we read..."Then was I 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." Jesus, being the Second Person of the Trinity, has coexisted with the Father and the Spirit for all of eternity, from before creation began; and He has an intimate connection with each of us personally, because it was by His own selfless sacrifice that salvation was made possible for us. His love for us is unfathomable; it transcends any love which we could ever know, or hope to imagine. We are His delight, as we read in 1 John 3:16..."Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us..." as well as in John 13:1..."...when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." Furthermore, we read in Hebrews 2:14..."Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Jesus tells us in John 15:13..."Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Finally, verses 32-36 are a summation of not only the chapter, but of the entire plan of salvation. We'll read these verses, one at a time, and then following each verse, we'll read words spoken directly by Jesus which parallel and correspond with each verse..."Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways." "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.""Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.""He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." "Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.""Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls.""But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death.""For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
When we seek for Jesus, He can be found throughout the Old Testament, in the creation, in the words of the prophets, and in the miracles of God. It has been said that Jesus was "concealed" in the Old Testament, and "revealed" in the New Testament. As we continue to seek for Him, His love is manifested to us in new and different ways. May our love for Him grow deeper as we search Him out in the Scriptures, and develop a stronger relationship with Jesus, the embodiment of the Wisdom of God.
"Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom; and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Although the entire chapter is very evocative of Jesus, there are certain phrases, and verses, which solidify this. We begin with verse 17..."I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." Those who seek for Jesus and love Him sincerely are beloved by Him. He tells us in John 15:9-12..."As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
Furthermore, we read in verse 20-21..."I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures." The substance referred to here is not worldly wealth, but rather wisdom. Jesus is wisdom incarnate, for He is the Source of all wisdom, and to have the knowledge of Him is riches and treasure to the soul. Paul tells us in Colossians 2:2-3..."That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Verse 22 reads..."The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old." Here, the entire tone of the chapter changes, as we begin to see concrete affirmation that these are indeed the words of Jesus, perhaps simply recorded by Solomon, who was deemed worthy by virtue of the wisdom which God had endowed him with. Jesus is the eternal Word, as we read in John 1:1-2..."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." So, we can see that Jesus, being the wisdom of God, was with God from the beginning.
We read in verse 23..."I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." The phrase here "I was set up from everlasting" is, in the Hebrew, "nissakti meowlam", literally translated as "anointed from eternity", or set apart in the purpose of God from the beginning. Interestingly, this Hebrew verb "nissakti" also appears in Psalms 2:6-7, part of David's prophecy concerning Jesus..."Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." This tells us that God, from all eternity, anointed the Word, His Wisdom, Jesus, to be Lord and King over all of creation. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:7-8..."...we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Jesus reveals to us in Revelation 22:13..."I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
Further, in verse 30-31 we read..."Then was I 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." Jesus, being the Second Person of the Trinity, has coexisted with the Father and the Spirit for all of eternity, from before creation began; and He has an intimate connection with each of us personally, because it was by His own selfless sacrifice that salvation was made possible for us. His love for us is unfathomable; it transcends any love which we could ever know, or hope to imagine. We are His delight, as we read in 1 John 3:16..."Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us..." as well as in John 13:1..."...when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." Furthermore, we read in Hebrews 2:14..."Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Jesus tells us in John 15:13..."Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Finally, verses 32-36 are a summation of not only the chapter, but of the entire plan of salvation. We'll read these verses, one at a time, and then following each verse, we'll read words spoken directly by Jesus which parallel and correspond with each verse..."Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways." "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.""Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.""He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." "Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.""Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls.""But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death.""For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
When we seek for Jesus, He can be found throughout the Old Testament, in the creation, in the words of the prophets, and in the miracles of God. It has been said that Jesus was "concealed" in the Old Testament, and "revealed" in the New Testament. As we continue to seek for Him, His love is manifested to us in new and different ways. May our love for Him grow deeper as we search Him out in the Scriptures, and develop a stronger relationship with Jesus, the embodiment of the Wisdom of God.
wonderful article you are getting very wise. mom
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