Christ in Proverbs: The Wisdom of God

The third book of Poetry in the Bible is the book of Proverbs, written for the most part by Solomon.  King Solomon was said to have been the wisest of all men:  “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” (1 Kings 3:12)  Solomon understood the importance of wisdom, since that is what he had asked God for, above and before anything else, before fame, before riches, before power.  According for 1 Kings 4, Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs, and he became famous for his wisdom and his generosity.  So if we desire wisdom today, it would be prudent to study the words Solomon wrote.  In doing so, we can see wisdom personified in Jesus Christ. 

• First of all, we see in Proverbs the need for salvation.  We are shown the need for merciful cleansing from iniquity and wickedness to be replaced with the righteousness of Christ:

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. (Proverbs 16:6)

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:4-5)

A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. (Proverbs 12:3)

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (1 Peter 1:12)

The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. (Proverbs 12:12)

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:18-20)

• We are also shown in Proverbs the only One with power over all creation.

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? (Proverbs 30:4)

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (Matthew 8:26-27)

We are shown that our only means of salvation is Jesus Christ.

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. (Proverbs 8:34-36)
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:38-39)

• The overriding theme in Proverbs is that Christ is the personification of Wisdom.  The fact that Christ is the source of all wisdom is validated by His own words and the words of His apostles, echoing what we read in Proverbs.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. (Proverbs 9:10-11)
Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: (Luke 11:49)
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. (Proverbs 1:20-23)
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:3)

• We are reminded of Adam’s exile from Eden, how he was prevented from eating of the tree of life.  But we are also assured that, through Jesus and His righteousness, we are made righteous.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)

• We can also see in Proverbs how Christ would build the kingdom of God.

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: (Proverbs 24:3)
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)
I don’t usually like to quote from any book but the Bible.  However, here I am going to make an exception because I liked what David Murray said in his book about Proverbs:

Like the Law, Proverbs not only demonstrates the need for Jesus’ death but also explains the nature of it.  Proverbs vividly describes the typical kind of human scheming and plotting that characterized Jesus’ crucifiers.  The proverbs deepen our understanding of the Law’s curse that was heaped upon Jesus, and they demonstrate the divine principle of penal justice that He would experience in His body and soul. (Jesus on Every Page, David Murray, Thomas Nelson Publishing, 2013)

My prayer for you and for me this week is from Ephesians 1:17:

I ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you (and me) the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.  Amen.

All Scripture is from the King James Version of the Bible

Christ in The Psalms: The Good Shepherd

If you are new to studying the Bible, I would encourage you to start by reading The Psalms.  Most of these ancient hymns were written by David, some when he was a shepherd boy, some when he was king.  Some are praise songs to God, others reflect David’s total remorse over his own sin, and some are prayers for deliverance from his enemies.  These beautiful poems show us how deeply David loved God and trusted in Him.  They also show us that David was just as human as you and I are and that he had great failings for which he suffered cruel consequences.  But they also show us that David never lost his faith in God and that he had a teachable spirit, that he was willing to confess his sins and repent, to turn away from his sins and once again walk with God.  They also show us that God used David to prophecy about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. 

Entire books have been written about how Christ is seen in the book of Psalms, so I will only be able to scratch the surface here.  So I would encourage you, as you read through the book of Psalms, to look for Jesus there.  As a matter of fact, I believe that the very first Psalm tells us that we will be blessed by studying this book:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2)

We see Jesus in Psalm 2 as God’s Son, the King who blesses those who trust Him; in Psalm 8 as the Son of Man; in Psalm 9 as our Refuge; in Psalm 16 as The Holy One who is resurrected from the grave; in Psalm 17 as Jesus who was tempted, yet without sin; in Psalm 23 as My Shepherd who leads me, restores my strength, comforts me, protects me, and promises me life eternal with Him; in Psalm 41 as Christ forsaken on the cross yet finding joy on the morning of resurrection; in Psalm 45 as The Heavenly Prince and the Bridegroom with His bride, the church; in Psalm 68 as the Ascended Christ who leads us into heaven to be with Him; in Psalm 69 as the Man of Sorrows and Our Salvation; in Psalm 110 as King,  Priest, and Judge; in Psalm 118 as Our Salvation, the Stone that the builders rejected who became the Chief Cornerstone.  These are only a handful of the many, many references to Jesus Christ in the book of Psalms.  Why not see how many more you can find?

The one I want to focus on today is Psalm 22, one of the most prophetic of all the Psalms concerning Our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”  As you read this Psalm, remember that it was written by King David in about 1000 B.C.  Its graphic description of crucifixion is astounding, since crucifixion was unheard of in David’s day.  It was not invented until the time of the Roman Empire, 1000 years later!  Open your Bible to Psalm 22 and follow along as we look at how God spoke through David to tell everyone who Jesus would be and what He would do for you and for me:

·   My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Psalm 22:1a)

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)

·   O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. (Psalm 22:2)

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (Hebrews 5:7)

·   Jesus left His place of authority and glory to become our Sacrifice.  When He took our sin upon Himself, He became like a worm.  He was despised and rejected by those He came to save:

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. (Psalm 22:6)

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)

·   All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, (Psalm 22:7)

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, (Matthew 27:39)

·   He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. (Psalm 22:8)

He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. (Matthew 27:43)

·   Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. (Psalm 22:11)

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. (Matthew 26:56)

·   The strong bulls and roaring lion in the following verse refer to those who are powerful and in a position of authority over Jesus, the chief priests, elders, and the Roman officials:

Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. (Psalm 22:12-13)

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (Matthew 27:1-2)

·   I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. (Psalm 22:14-15)

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. (John 19:28)

·   Crucifixion was used by the Romans – Gentiles, not Jews.  The Jewish people equated Gentiles with dogs.

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (Psalm 22:16)

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: (Luke 24:39a)

·   They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. (Psalm 22:18)

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. (Matthew 27:35)

·   But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. (Psalm 22:19-21)

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:5-6)

·   I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. (Psalm 22:22)

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (Hebrews 2:12)

·   Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. (Psalm 22:23)

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10)

·   All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations. (Psalm 22:27-28)

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11)

Who could have foreseen all that was written in Psalm 22 but God?  The more I study His word, the more amazed I am at His love for me and his provision of the only payment for my wretched sinful self – Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.  I hope that you have accepted His sacrifice for your sin, and that you have made Him Lord of your life.  I hope you will join me this week in this prayer from Psalm 63:1-4:

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

 All scripture is from the King James Version.

Christ in Job: Our Victory

Most people are at least somewhat familiar with the first of the poetic books of the Bible, the story of Job.  We have all heard of “the patience of Job.”  But I’m not so sure that most people understand this book’s importance to the ancient Hebrew people or to us today.

The ancient Hebrew culture taught that if a person was successful, it was because he was a good person in the eyes of God.  Conversely, they believed that an evil person or one who did not follow God’s leadership would never be rich in this world.  At times, we see that God gives earthly blessings to those who are obedient to Him (Abraham, David, Solomon for example) and we do see, at times, that God removes earthly blessings from those who are not obedient (Cain, Lot, Saul for example).  But the correlation between worldly success or failure and obedience to God cannot always be made.  After all, God allowed foreign, pagan kings to overthrow Israel when Israel was disobedient.  Those pagan kings were not obedient to God, but He allowed them to prosper in order to chastise God’s people.  We will see in Job that his obedience was no guarantee that he would not suffer, just as our obedience today is no guarantee that we will not suffer.  As a matter of fact, we are told to expect suffering, especially if we are following Christ, since the world and it’s prince, Satan, are diametrically opposed to Him.

God has generously granted you the privilege, not only of believing in Christ but also of suffering for Christ’s sake. (Philippians 1:29)

As long as this world suffers under the penalty and consequences of sin, anyone living in this world will be subjected to suffering.  And at the same time, many will be rich and successful, whether they are following God or not.

He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45b)

The main theme of the book of Job is the sovereignty of God.  Although Satan is allowed to devastate this world for the time being, his power is limited by Almighty, Sovereign God.  As a matter of fact, he is only like a pawn in God’s hand.  We can take great comfort in knowing that any suffering that we are allowed to face is no surprise to God and that God limits the amount of our suffering, just as Satan was restricted to taking all but Job’s life.

The Adversary answered the Lord, “Does Job revere God for nothing? Haven’t you fenced him in—his house and all he has—and blessed the work of his hands so that his possessions extend throughout the earth? But stretch out your hand and strike all he has. He will certainly curse you to your face.” The Lord said to the Adversary, “Look, all he has is within your power; only don’t stretch out your hand against him.” So the Adversary left the Lord’s presence.  (Job 1:9-12)

No temptation has seized you that isn’t common for people. But God is faithful. He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

So why did God allow Job to be tested?  God already knew that Job was a righteous man and, being all-knowing, he knew that Job’s heart would not be turned against Him.  I will not pretend to know God’s motives – His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts are deeper than mine.  But I can see at least three reasons for Job’s testing.  First of all, God proved the power of faith that Job had in Him to Satan.  That same power of faith is available to us, and Satan knows it.  Secondly, God proved the power of faith to Job.  He taught Job to not listen to the advice of men, but to trust only in God, never allowing his faith to be undermined by the wisdom of the world.  We need to learn that lesson, too.  We need to be careful about who we go to for advice, especially when we are suffering.  The wisdom of this world is in total opposition to faith in God.  Remember, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, King James Version)  Worldly wisdom is based on logic and common sense, not faith.  And thirdly, God was preparing His people, Israel, to receive Messiah.  This third lesson is where we can see Christ in the book of Job, some believe to be the oldest book in the Bible.  From before the beginning, God was preparing this world to receive His Messiah, His Ransom for His sinful people.

Remember that the Hebrew culture taught that righteousness guaranteed blessings and that unrighteousness guaranteed curses.  God needed to change that way of thinking in order for His people to be receptive to Messiah, so He gave us Job, a foreshadowing, a type of Christ:

·   Job was a good man, wealthy and powerful.  Jesus, God’s Holy Son, owns all the silver and gold in the world.  He is all-powerful.

A man in the land of Uz was named Job. That man was honest, a person of absolute integrity; he feared God and avoided evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pairs of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a vast number of servants, so that he was greater than all the people of the east. (Job 1:1-3)

The silver and the gold belong to me, says the Lord of heavenly forces. (Haggai 2:8)

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the one who is first over all creation, because all things were created by him: both in the heavens and on the earth, the things that are visible and the things that are invisible. Whether they are thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him. He existed before all things, and all things are held together in him. (Colossians 1:15-17)

·   Job’s wealth, family, and esteem were taken from him.  Because of His love for us, Jesus left the splendor of heaven to be born in a stable, raised by a carpenter, never to have earthly riches or esteem. When Adam sinned, all humanity was separated from Jesus by sin.

One day Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. A messenger came to Job and said: “The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys were grazing nearby when the Sabeans took them and killed the young men with swords. I alone escaped to tell you.” While this messenger was speaking, another arrived and said: “A raging fire fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and devoured the young men. I alone escaped to tell you.” While this messenger was speaking, another arrived and said: “Chaldeans set up three companies, raided the camels and took them, killing the young men with swords. I alone escaped to tell you.” While this messenger was speaking, another arrived and said: “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, when a strong wind came from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people, and they died. I alone escaped to tell you.” (Job 1:13-19)

I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Matthew 8:20, New King James Version)

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3, King James Version)

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. . . therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. (Genesis 3:8, 23, New King James Version)

·   God allowed Job to be tested as we saw above, and God also allowed Jesus to be tested by Satan.  Neither Job nor Jesus lost faith in God.

Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. (Matthew 4:1)

Because we don’t have a high priest who can’t sympathize with our weaknesses but instead one who was tempted in every way that we are, except without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

·   Job suffered physical pain.  Jesus was beaten, crowned with thorns, and crucified, suffering pain unto death.

The Adversary departed from the Lord’s presence and struck Job with severe sores from the sole of his foot to the top of his head. (Job 2:7)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

·   Job’s riches, family, and health were restored to him.  Jesus was victorious over death, He lives and reigns in splendor and power, and because He ransomed us from sin and death, we now are able to have fellowship with Him, victorious for eternity.

Then the Lord blessed Job’s latter days more than his former ones. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. . . After this, Job lived 140 years and saw four generations of his children. (Job 42:12-13, 16)

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:5-6, King James Version)

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:19-23, King James Version)

So the lessons God was teaching the children of Israel, He is still teaching all of us today.  Don’t trust in your good works to save you, but trust only in Him and the ransom He paid to to give us victory over the power of sin.  When hard times come, don’t be surprised.  If God allowed His own Son to suffer, why should we not also suffer?  God loves us and will never give us more suffering than we can bear with His help.  When that suffering comes, be careful about who you go to for help.  Go to God first, and then if you go to friends, be sure their counsel is wise and Biblical, not just empty sympathy.

My prayer for you and for me this week is Job’s declaration: 

     Dear God, Though (You) slay me, yet will I trust in (You). (Job 13:15a)

All Scripture is from Common English Version unless otherwise noted.