As you who are following may note I am forced to change from Tidbits of Wisdom to Fountains of Wisdom. Perhaps it was the thought of tidbits that delayed my study in Proverbs before. As we continue this study, I am beginning to see the overflowing Fountains of living water. Oh, yes, I should have known that Christ’s portrait is on display in Proverbs, as it is throughout the Old Testament. The only true wisdom is God’s wisdom; just, as the only true righteousness is God’s righteousness. The very essence of Wisdom is found in God and thereby placed on display in its fullness for mankind in Christ Jesus. To seek true wisdom, one must seek after Christ (God the body) for in Him we gain the fullness of the Triune God-Son, Father and Holy Spirit (the body, soul, and spirit of God). Though God is more than merely wisdom; true wisdom does not exist apart from God. He is the very essence of true wisdom, true righteousness, true justice, perfect love, and perfect glory. So, as we recognize this truth; now, we may move forward into Chapter 9 with a renewed purpose and view of the scriptures displayed.
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The house is built; the foundation is laid with Christ the chief cornerstone. The pillars are strong to withstand the storms of life. (Proverbs 9:1) The great feast has been prepared—the bread of life (the body of Christ) and the wine is poured out (the blood of Christ) and the invitation sent for all who are unworthy to come.
(Proverbs 9:2-6 (NIV) “Let all who are simple come to my house!”To those who have no sense she says, 5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed 6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” The call
was not to those who think themselves wise; but to those who are simple minded. This is the same call of Christ. Luke 5: 32 “32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The invitation calls to come and eat, then leave their foolish ways. Is this grace plus works? Never, yet; having eaten at the table of wisdom could they desire once more to turn to folly? It is grace that called forth to all those who are wretched, poor, simple minded—trapped in the despair of their life to come. It is grace that is calling forth to eat and be filled all those that hunger after wisdom and righteousness. Once filled would one desire to be hungry again? Only in the power provided by Christ through the embodying work of the Holy Spirit can I ever be strengthened to turn from sin’s allurements. Hebrews 13: (ASV) “20 Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus,21 make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen”
So as we begin to see, Proverbs is a call to Wisdom; yet, at the same time it is a call to Salvation in Christ. Without Him there is no wisdom worth finding. Just as all joys we seek outside of Him are merely counterfeit joys; all wisdom we search for outside of Christ is merely counterfeit wisdom. So what key points have we seen in Proverbs 9:1-6.
1. The house is built; the foundation is laid with Christ the chief cornerstone. The pillars are strong to withstand the storms of life. (Proverbs 9:1)
2. The great feast has been prepared—the bread of life (the body of Christ) and the wine is poured out (the blood of Christ) and the invitation sent for all who are unworthy to come. (Proverbs 9:2-6)
Are you hungry, despairing of life? Is your heart burdened, heavy-laden with the cares of this world? Are you broken hearted? Have you searched for love in all the wrong places? Does the thought of joy seem a mere illusion outside your reach? Then come to the table. The invitation is sent. Christ bore your sin, your shame, and your foolishness upon the cross. He rose again, victorious that you might live. Matthew 11: (NIV) “28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Can you sing with Matt Maher Lord, I Need You
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© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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