Our look into the way of wisdom ended with the use of the first-person pronoun: “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion” (Prov. 8:12 ESV). As I turned the page in my copy of the Bible, the first-person description of wisdom continued, and all I could think of was, “This is Jesus!” Let’s walk through the following verses, and you let me know if you don’t see it as well.
I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. (Proverbs 8:14-21)
Jesus, the source of all wisdom, is the embodiment of all wisdom
As He lived the incarnated life on this earth, we had a front-row seat to the character of God Himself. One with the Father, Jesus embodied the same characteristics and lived them out on this earth as a man. He showed us what it looked like to live in accordance with God’s Word and in line with His character and purposes. What did that look like? A life lived in wisdom.
Did we not see in Jesus wise counsel, insight, and strength? As He taught, He also modeled through His actions. He could speak to kings and beggars, revealing the same care and love for their souls. He stood fast against those who attacked Him, and let us see a strength of character beyond man’s abilities.
Even as He stood before Pilate, He revealed the Father’s sovereignty over earthly rulers. He knew the One who set rulers in place and removed them.
So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:10-11)
By His wisdom, Christ knows the ones who love Him and seek Him. His wisdom echoes that of God’s word through Jeremiah, when He said, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13)
Jesus has all wealth, honor, and righteousness. “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.” (Psa. 50:10-12)
Again, Jeremiah declares the truth of the nature of Christ, which falls in line with these words from Proverbs. Jesus is the Righteous One, who reigns and rules wisely, and with justice and righteousness in keeping with His character.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jer. 23:5)
The wisdom of Christ not only reveals His greatness but also His love for us. He desires to share that wisdom with us by giving all who love Him an inheritance.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1:11-14)
Each verse of this section of Proverbs can be tied directly to the embodiment of godly wisdom—Jesus Christ. But, as with the inheritance, in His love for us, He also makes available to us these same benefits of wisdom.
Wisdom given to us in Christ
As we unite our lives with Christ, we receive the fruits of His Spirit and grow daily into the likeness of the One who saved us for Himself. You can easily find Bible verses to match each of these characteristics, and I challenge you to do so. In the meantime, here again is the short list of what we find in Christ and His wisdom:
- Insight
- Strength
- Ability to rule and govern justly
- The ability to find more wisdom
- Riches and wealth
- Honor and righteousness
- Justice
- An inheritance of great value.
Have you sought out the One who is all wisdom? Seek Him and be found by Him, and you will reap the benefits of His empowering presence, the person of the Holy Spirit, who will enable you to live a life of wisdom and purpose to the glory of God the Father.
Grace and Peace
If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start this Walking in Wisdom series from the beginning.