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Proverbs 8

             “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;

I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. (Proverbs 8:22-31)

 

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? (Proverbs 8:1)

 

I decided to read through the book of Proverbs this month and came upon this familiar passage yesterday. Some people claim that these verses describe Jesus. But if you read the first verse in the chapter, the subject of the chapter is clearly identified as Wisdom, and Wisdom is personified in this and other passages in Proverbs as a woman. The pronouns used are consistently she, her, and hers. On the other hand, the Son of God is referred to as the Son of God, and as He, Him, and His.

The one who is speaking also states that she was brought forth and given birth along with the creation, but Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am!” (John 8:58) Those who interpret Proverbs 8 Christologically will quickly say that Abraham was born long after the time period described in our main text, and that’s true. But the claim of “I am” and Jesus’ further claim that “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) both make it clear that Jesus considered Himself to be God and equal with God, a claim that is not made in Proverbs 8.

The problem for the Christian in claiming Proverbs 8 describes Jesus is that the speaker says she was brought forth and given birth in the acts of God –  celebrating but not participating in the act of creation. If it refers to Jesus, it demotes Him to the level of creature – created thing. But if He is no more than a created thing, then when Adam and Eve sinned, He would have been subjected to frustration (Romans 8:20.) As such, He would not be sufficient or qualified to die for our sins.

Jesus is wise, but He is more than wisdom. 

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