March 4,2012
Lesson Focus:
The Word reveals wisdom
Lesson Scripture:
Proverbs 8:22-35
Introduction:
The theme for this quarter’s study is “The Word Was in the Beginning.” This week’s lesson focuses on the role of wisdom in the divine work of creation.Proverbs chapter 8 personifies (represents something inanimate as having life or human qualities) wisdom as a woman. Many interpreters have seen the personification of wisdom presented in our text as an Old Testament reference to Jesus Christ. Indeed the qualities given to wisdom in our lesson can also apply to Christ for He is both the power and the wisdom of God (see I Corinthians 1:24). However, most scholars would agree that it is probably best to understand wisdom in this week’s lesson as an attribute or quality of God ever existing prior to Creation.Before God brought forth anything in creation,before time existed,Jesus was already there.He has neither beginning nor end.He is the Alpha and Omega,the beginning and the end.
Appointed Before Creation
Proverbs 8:22-26,KJV
(vs. 22). In this verse, Solomon says that wisdom announces that “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.” In other words, wisdom states that she (see Proverbs 8:1) was possessed by God before He created anything, which is the meaning of the phrase “before his works of old.” God Himself is wise and therefore possesses wisdom.(vs. 23). Wisdom continues her self-description by saying “I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.” God is eternal, and therefore without a beginning, so wisdom as part of His nature also existed from eternity past. Wisdom existed long before “ever the earth was” or long before the earth was created.(vs. 24). Wisdom went on to say, “When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.” Here wisdom says that before there were “depths” or oceans, she lived, which is the meaning of the phrase “I was brought forth.” Before there were “no fountains abounding with water” meaning before the springs bubbled forth their waters on earth, wisdom lived. (vs. 25). Continuing to describe her eternality, here wisdom says “Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.” Wisdom said that even before God set the mountains and hills in place, she lived. There was never a time when wisdom was not there. Certainly this also applies to Christ who, as noted before, is the wisdom of God. (vs. 26). This verse lets us know that God possessed wisdom “While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.” Even before God created the earth and its fields and the highest plateaus, wisdom was there.
Craftman at God's Side During Creation
Proverbs 8:27-31,KJV
27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Footnotes:
Here we see that God’s wisdom is demonstrated in the work of creation. Wisdom said, “When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth.” It’s obvious that since wisdom was before the Creation she was present during the Creation. When God “prepared” or set the heavens in place, wisdom was there. Wisdom was there when God “set a compass upon the face (or horizon) of the depth.” The Hebrew word translated “compass” means “a circle.” Thus this phrase probably refers to the circle of the earth (vs. 28). Wisdom said that she was there when God “established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep.” This is a specific reference to the firmament of Genesis 1:7, in which God divided the waters that were under the heavens from those that were above them. We know that the clouds above contain water that will often be poured out upon the earth in the form of rain, or other precipitation. In all of these acts of creation, wisdom was present, reminding us that nothing was done haphazardly or without the wise preparation of God. (vs. 29). Wisdom was there when God established the oceans or seas when He gathered the waters on the earth into their prescribed places (see Genesis 1:9). The next day God separated the waters above the earth from the waters on the earth, causing dry land to appear by placing the seas on earth in defined locations.(see Genesis 1:10).(vs. 30). In this verse wisdom continues to be personified and says she was there beside God as He did all His work meaning that wisdom was beside God as a craftsmen or master workman. This would imply that God worked with wisdom to design and construct His creation. (vs. 31). Wisdom here says she enjoyed God’s creation of man. Regarding how man was created, David wrote, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works” (Psalms 139:14). For sure wisdom laughs with joy when it looks upon the abilities and capacities of the created beings God has made.
Source of Blessing and Life
Proverbs 8:32-35,KJV
32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Footnotes:
(vs. 32). Wisdom says “hearken unto me, O ye children” advising everyone to “hearken” or “hear” what she has said. The word “hearken” is a form of the word “hear” and means not only to listen but to obey. If one does not obey, he has not heard what was said. The reason we are to hear what wisdom has to say is because “blessed are they that keep my ways.” The word “blessed” means to be happy. Happiness results from fellowship with God. (vs. 33). First we are to “Hear instruction.” The Hebrew word translated “instruction” means chastening, discipline, or correction. The purpose of “instruction” or correction, or discipline is education. (vs. 34). The one who “heareth” or obeys wisdom (Jesus Christ to the believer) is “blessed” or happy and will also be “watching daily at my gates.” To be “watching” means to be on the lookout at all times as seen in the word “daily.” Wisdom portrays herself as having “gates.” The reference to “gates” could be the city gates where elders met to conduct city business. Certainly wisdom would be needed in those situations. Wisdom also portrays herself as a home having door posts. She says the happy person not only is watching daily at her gates, but is also “waiting at the posts of my doors.” The doer of God’s Word seeks wisdom where the wise gather---at wisdom’s gates and at the doorposts of wisdom’s home.(vs. 35). There are valuable benefits to heeding wisdom. The one who “findeth” or follows wisdom also “findeth life.” The context here seems to mean that the person who obeys the teachings of wisdom will experience a more meaningful and fulfilling life. God’s wisdom helps us avoid the pitfalls that could lead to a premature death. When we neglect God’s wisdom, there is a different result. As Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. But the one who receives wisdom also “shall obtain favour of the LORD.”
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