Jesus In Proverbs: Wisdom And Her Counterfeit
Jesus is revealed in Proverbs as wisdom
Prov 8:22-23 “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. 23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. NLT
Proverbs is filled with short instructions for living an effective life on earth. Biblically impoverished people live poorly constructed lives.
Every society has its own set of proverbs expressing the collective wisdom of that society:
• Look before you leap.
• Easy come, easy go.
• A penny saved is a penny earned.
• “Life is hard. It’s harder if you’re stupid.” – John Wayne
Proverbs is this collection of the ancient wisdom of Israel that has the power to conquer foolishness in all of our lives. The only requirement is that we fear the Lord and embrace his ways.
Prov 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. NIV
Fearing God and foolishness are contrasted in the woman of wisdom and the woman of adultery.
Prov 5:3-4 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword NIV
It’s interesting that the adulterous woman is likened to a double-edged sword.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword… (NAS)
The wisdom of God’s Word & the woman of adultery both are sharp as a double-edged sword. God’s Word is God’s wisdom dividing us from folly resulting in enriched lives. Adultery divides us from wisdom leaving us to suffer in folly born from our own lust and desires.
Notice how this adulterous woman tries to resemble the woman of wisdom.
Prov 8:1-3 Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice? 2 On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out: (NAS)
Prov 9:13-17 The woman of folly is boisterous, {she is} naive, and knows nothing. 14 And she sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city, 15 Calling… ”Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," and to him who lacks understanding she says, 17 "Stolen water is sweet; and bread {eaten} in secret is pleasant." (NAS)
Both have a house
Both are in high places of the city.
Both invite into their homes.
Both offer refreshment in their homes.
Both offer something more than a meal.
Not always easy to tell them apart.
The danger of anything counterfeit is how unnoticeable it is due to a close resemblance.
Just because you think it doesn’t make it right! Don’t try to be true to the person you’ve decided to be. Be true to the person God made you to be – Ps 139 he knows you better than you know you.
Wisdom produces rewarding life filled with blessing. The adulteress brings regret and diminishing pleasure that ends in death.
Prov 8:14-15 "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. 15 "By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. (NAS)
Wisdom pursues counsel and judgment. The adulteress wants to be left alone viewing any counsel or input as mistrust or a judgmental attitude.
Prov 30:19-20 (There is) the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden. 20 "This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong.' NIV
If you’re always covering up your past or trying to hide something you really don’t know what it is to truly, freely live.
GP4RL: Grow in Biblical wisdom by reading your Bible every day this week.
GOING DEEPER:
Adulterous woman is described in the first 9 chapters of Proverbs
Woman of wisdom is described in Proverbs chapter 31
SHE IS LEWD (Proverbs 6:24; 2:17).
SHE IS LOYAL (Proverbs 31:11).
SHE IS A HOME BREAKER (Proverbs 7).
SHE IS A HOME MAKER (Proverbs 31).
SHE IS EASY TO FIND (Proverbs 7:10-12).
SHE IS HARD TO FIND
(a rare gem) (Proverbs 31:10).
SHE IS CHEAP (Proverbs30:20)
SHE IS PRECIOUS (Proverbs 31:10).
SHE HAS OUTER BEAUTY
Surface attraction (Proverbs 6:25).
SHE HAS INNER BEAUTY
Heart attraction (Proverbs 31:30; 1 Peter 3:4).
SHE WORKS WITH HER MOUTH
(lively lips but no life) (Proverbs 21:9,19; 25:24 etc.).
SHE WORKS WITH HER HANDS
(a lovely life producing loving words) (Proverbs 31, many verses).
SHE IS RELIGIOUS (Proverbs 7:14).
SHE IS RIGHT WITH GOD (Proverbs 31:30).
SHE IS OUTSIDE THE HOME
(Proverbs 7:11-12).
SHE ABIDES IN THE HOME (Proverbs 31:27).
SHE DOES HER HUSBAND NOTHING BUT HARM (Proverbs 2:17).
SHE DOES HER HUSBAND GOOD (Proverbs 31:12).
SHE IS ON THE LOOSE AT NIGHT (Proverbs 7:9,18).
SHE IS RESTING AT NIGHT SO SHE CAN AWAKE EARLY (Proverbs 31:15).
SHE KILLS HER VICTIMS (Proverbs 7:23).
SHE BLESSES HER FAMILY (Proverbs 31:28).
SHE LIVES BY LUST (Proverbs 7:10).
SHE LIVES BY LOVE (Proverbs 31:20).
The fulfillment of this adulterous woman is fulfilled in Revelation:
Rev 17:4-6 She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. (NIV)