WISDOM AND THE CREATOR

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PROVERBS 8:22-36
Lesson #11
WISDOM AND THE CREATOR

• Memory Verse: Pro 8:35
• In chapter 8 of Proverbs we have been learning the various aspects of wisdom personified in Jesus Christ.
  • We have seen Wisdom as the evangelist.
  • We have seen Wisdom as the one who ordains authority.
  • We have seen Wisdom as the lover of man.
• One of the most interesting roles that Wisdom plays is:
• Wisdom, the Creator
  • Pro 8:22
    • ^“ The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.” (22)
      • The word “Lord” is in all capital letters in the King James Version of the Bible.
        • That tells us that this word is the word “Jehovah”.
        • The word, “me” in this verse refers to wisdom (skillful living).
      • Therefore when God created the earth and all that is in it, Wisdom was there.
        • Usually when we think about creation, we do not think about wisdom in connection with the miracle of creation.
        • However, Proverbs 8 is going to give us a unique and deep understanding of wisdom, but we need to see something else about creation first.
    • Joh 1:1-3, 14
      • “ 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. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (Joh 1:1-3)
        • Verse 1 tells us that “the Word” was there at creation. In fact the Word was already in existence before creation because the Word has no beginning.
        • Verse 2 tells us that “the Word” is a person when it says that “all things were made by him.”
      • “ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (Joh 1:14)
        • Verse 14 tells us that “the Word” present with God, Jehovah, was the person of Jesus Christ
        • Read Col 1:16

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” (Col 1:16)

This verse tells us that Jesus Christ is the Creator.

• • • Rev 19:11-13
      • ^“ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” (Rev 19:11-13)
      • Notice it tells us in this passage about the second coming of Jesus Christ to this earth, and that Jesus Christ’s eternal name is The Word of God.
    • Summary: With this scriptural background, we can say that creation was accomplished by the Holy Trinity of which Jesus Christ is the second member of this Holy Triune God. We can also say that creation was accomplished by The Word of God. God spoke creation into being through Jesus Christ, the creator.
    • In the same way we are going to see in Proverbs that creation was accomplished not only by the Word but also by Wisdom.
  • Read Pro 8:23-36
    • “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:” (23-25)
      • This is Wisdom speaking in the first person, “I”.
      • Even before creation Wisdom existed in the Holy Trinity.
        • The phrase, “I was set up” means = anointed.
        • As we have seen in the book of Proverbs, wisdom is described as skillful living in the ways of God.
        • But we have also seen in the book of Proverbs wisdom personified in Jesus Christ. And so it is here in chapter 8.
      • Therefore, Wisdom, the Word, Jesus Christ, and Jehovah God the Father, and the Holy Spirit are all one and the same in essence, in personality, and in purpose.
      • Read Psa 90:2
        • Wisdom was before the creation of the mountains in verse 25 of Proverbs 8.
        • God is spoken of in similar words in Psa 90:2 as in Proverbs 8:25.
    • “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:” (26-28)
      • Notice that in every area and part of creation, Wisdom was already present even before the actual process of creation began.
      • The phrase, “…he set a compass upon the face of the depth…” is an interesting phrase in that for many years of human history man thought the earth was a flat plane or a square universe.
        • The word “compass” means = to draw a circle.
        • This verse tells us the earth is round and the galactic system in which the earth circles is a round galaxy.
      • The original ocean that covered the earth before it was formed is referred to in the phrase, “…the fountains of the deep.” (28)
    • “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 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.” (29-31)
      • The seas are commanded by God to be contained in their places so they do not perpetually overflow the land areas as at the beginning of creation. God holds the shorelines in place.
      • The phrases, “…I was by him… I was daily his delight”, refer to Jesus Christ as Wisdom in the presence of Jehovah God in the creation.
      • The part of creation most enjoyable to Wisdom and God was the creation of man. Why?
        • God is love. Love requires an object to express that love in action. The creation of man was for the purpose of expressing God’s love through multitudes of blessings poured out upon man. (Joh 3:16)
        • Wisdom was delighted with the creation of man because Wisdom could show man how to live successfully in the love of God.
        • The only part of creation that has the capacity to appreciate fully God’s creation, His truth, and His wisdom is man.
    • “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.” (32-33)
      • Key words: instruction (moral discipline for discernment); wise (get skillful living as a believer in Jesus Christ).
      • The believer is told to listen to Wisdom. And endure moral discipline.
      • The believer is blessed when he keeps the ways of wisdom, living skillfully in God’s eternal plan that existed even before anything was created in this universe.
    • ^“ 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.” (34-36)
      • Notice that God gives man a choice here because man was created with free will.
      • The believer in Jesus Christ that seeks to live the way God wants him to live, will be the one that seeks guidance and direction for his life at the gates and doors of God’s throne room through prayer.
      • The believer in Christ receives eternal life when he invites Jesus into his heart and life. But not only does he receive eternal life after physical death, but he receives favor with God in this life through blessings and guidance.
        • Read Joh 1:4
        • In the Word, Jesus Christ is life. In Wisdom is life.
        • Therefore, all the concepts of the Holy Trinity, the Word, and Wisdom are inseparable.
      • Notice that Wisdom says if you refuse Wisdom (Jesus Christ), you sin against Wisdom, you sin against God, and you sin against your own soul.
        • The result of sinning against your own soul is spiritual death.
        • Spiritual death is an eternal separation from God and all that is good. Those people that reject Christ, God, and/or His wisdom love death.
• Summary:
  • In this last part of Proverbs 8 we see a very complicated interrelationship between Jesus Christ and Wisdom. That is to say that Wisdom personified in Jesus Christ is far beyond our human capacity to understand. If you thought you had trouble understanding the Holy Trinity, Proverbs 8 deepens that mind-expanding concept when we add to that “the Word” and “Wisdom” as eternal concepts in creation.
  • This account in Proverbs 8 parallels the creation account in Genesis.

Day 1 of creation:
	The earth	Gen 1:1-5	Pro 8:23
Day 2 of creation:
	Water	Gen 1:6-8	Pro 8:24
Day 3 of Creation:
	The land	Gen 1:9-13	Pro 8:25-26

Homework
Proverbs 9:1-9

• Application of Pro 8:22-36
  • What did the Lord possess when He created the world? (22)
    Wisdom.
  • Who is the “I” in verse 23?
    Wisdom and/or Jesus Christ.
  • Identify the pronouns in verse 27. “He” = Jehovah God “I” = Wisdom and/or Jesus Christ.
  • Rejoicing in His creation, God’s delight was in what specifically? (31-32)
    The creation of man.
  • How does the person that finds wisdom also find life? (35)
    Because wisdom is living skillfully and Jesus said He is life so when you find one you find the other and life is the result.
• Preparation for Pro 9:1-9
  • Read Pro 9:1-9
    • What is the spiritual house that wisdom is building? (1) (Read Heb 3:6)
    • Who are “the maidens” in verse 3 and what is their message in verse 5?
    • Why do you need to be careful how you correct someone in either their attitudes or their actions? (7-9)
    • From your own personal experiences, what are some good things to remember when correcting someone?
• Memory verse: Pro 9:9