Opening Up Proverbs
A study by Jim Newheiser
“The Call of Wisdom and of Christ” Chapter 6
Who Is Wisdom?
- Personified as Lady Wisdom in Proverbs
- Wisdom is an attribute of God that he shares with those who are faithful to his covenant.
- God’s Wisdom is revealed in Scripture.
Adulteress Lady Wisdom
Calls from the darkness and secret Call is open and public
Sexually loose Holy
Unreliable liar Truthful and Faithful
Gives body but not herself Offers true love
Offers fleeting pleasures Provides everlasting joy
Selfish; giving only to get Delights to give, serve
Leads to a chamber of death Gives everlasting life
Jesus Christ Is Wisdom Incarnate
- Isaiah 11:2 says that the Spirit of Wisdom and of Understanding would rest on the Messiah.
- 1 Cor. 1:30 says that Jesus is the Wisdom of God to us.
- Proverbs, like all Scripture points us to Christ.
- When Wisdom speaks, Christ speaks.
- Wisdom and Christ call out to you (8:1-5).
- Wisdom and Christ should be treasured (8:6-11).
- Wisdom and Christ teach you to humbly fear God (8:12-13).
- Wisdom and Christ offer you success (8:14-16).
- Wisdom and Christ offer you great rewards (8:17-21).
- Wisdom displays its glory in creation (8:22-31).
- Wisdom will bless you with life (8:32-36).
- Wisdom invites you to a feast (9:1-5).
What is Your Reply to the Call?
- Don’t be a scoffer.
- Hunger after God, and he will fill you.
- Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the Lord (Jer. 9:23–24).