Video

Proverbs Chapter Eight

1. Proverbs 8 is the message of Wisdom (the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, Jn. 1:1).
2. Much better than the honey-dripping words of the harlot as she roams the streets, are the Divine words of Wisdom as “she” takes her stand beside the gates (Prov. 8:3).
   1. חָכְמָה chokmāh ^#2451: wisdom is a feminine noun, and is portrayed as a woman whom we can embrace as a sister or lover (cf. Prov. 7:4-5).
   2. The feminine gender of this passage cannot be used to support the evil teaching of a mother “goddess.”
3. Wisdom’s message is to the sons of men (Prov. 8:4), as the greatest treasure man can obtain (Prov. 8:10-11,19).
4. Wisdom proclaims the blessings of what Wisdom provides (Prov. 8:12-21).  18 expressions of the 1st person, singular: I/me/mine/my.
5. Wisdom celebrates the work of the Father in eternity past (Prov. 8:22-31).
   1. In this context, YHWH is God the Father, and Wisdom is God the Son.
   2. YHWH fathered Wisdom as the first expression of Divine Will.
      1. “Possessed” (NASB, KJV, NKJV), “Brought me forth” (NIV).
      2. קָנָה qānāh ^#7069: to get, acquire, obtain, buy, create, possess.  Used of Eve, acquiring a son, and naming him “possession” (Cain, קַיִן qayin ^#7014) (Gen. 4:1).
      3. The context of “birth” is cemented in the context, linking the “possession” of v.22 with the “brought forth” of vv.24,25.
      4. The fathering of the humanity of Christ, and the establishment of the hypostatic union is the first act of God the Father following the Counsel of His Will in eternity past.
         1. This is what qualifies Jesus Christ as the Firstborn of all creation (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:6; cf. Ps. 2:7).
         2. The humanity of Jesus Christ cannot be confused with the virgin birth of the human body that God the Father prepared (Heb. 10:5).
   3. The description of creation indicates the Father’s role as the Designer-Creator, and the Son’s role as the Master Workman (Prov. 8:30a).  This is consistent with the New Testament revelation of God the Son as the Father’s Agent in creation (Jn. 1:3,10; 1st Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2).
   4. The description of the Father/Son relationship is one of continuous pleasure by both parties (Prov. 8:30b).
   5. The greatest delight within creation for the Son was the realm of humanity (Prov. 8:31).
6. Wisdom presents an acceptance or rejection message for eternal life or eternal death (Prov. 8:32-36).

Proverbs Chapter Nine

1. The first section of Proverbs 9 describes the house that Wisdom has built, and the gracious invitation she offers (Prov. 9:1-6).
2. The second section of Proverbs 9 is a contrast between wisdom and folly (Prov. 9:7-12).
   1. The wise will accept Wisdom’s invitation (Prov. 9:1-6).
   2. The foolish will accept Folly’s invitation (Prov. 9:13-18).
3. The final section of Proverbs 9 describes the seductive invitation that the fool will fall for (Prov. 9:13-18).

Proverbs Chapter Ten

1. Prov. 10-24 form the primary collection of Solomon’s wisdom.
   1. Some commentators find division markers at Prov. 22:17 & Prov. 24:23.
      1. There are 375 sayings from Prov. 10-22:16.  These are normally credited to Solomon.
      2. Another 30 sayings are preserved from Prov. 22:17-24:22.  These are normally credited to other unknown wise men, but gathered by Solomon.
      3. A final 4 sayings are preserved from Prov. 24:23-34.  These likewise are considered “gathered” sayings of Solomon’s.
   2. Solomon did interact with other wise men from other cultures (1st Kgs. 4:30-34; Ecc. 12:9-12), and the final portion of Solomon’s composition appears to be a compilation of what he gleaned from these sources.
2. The proverbs in this section are primarily short contrasts or comparisons.
   1. Prov. 10-15 are mostly antithetic parallels.
   2. Prov. 16-22 are mostly synthetic and synonymous parallels.
3. These proverbs present principles, which in general terms describe life as it normally is manifest.  Angelic conflict, Divine discipline, & undeserved suffering will all create specific circumstances which defy the normal pattern.
4. Godly parents are pleased or displeased by their child’s pursuit of wisdom or folly (Prov. 10:1; 3rd Jn. 4).
5. Prov. 10:12 is quoted in Jas. 5:20 & 1st Pet. 4:8.  Wisdom teaches us how to appropriately apply this principle of love.
6. Wisdom is needed to restrain the tongue (Prov. 10:19; Jas. 1:19; 3:2).