Ae – Yeshua and Proverbs

Yeshua and Proverbs

In Yeshua Messiah are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3), and He is our wisdom (First Corinthians 1:24 and 30). Solomon was the wisest ruler who ever lived, and yet Yeshua is greater than Solomon in both His wisdom and His wealth (Matthew 12:42). Certainly all the beautiful qualities of wisdom described in Proverbs are seen in Yeshua Messiah, and His earthly walk is a pattern for all of God’s people to follow (1 John 2:6).

The description of wisdom in Proverbs 8:22-31 suggests Yeshua Messiah as the eternal wisdom of God, but that isn’t the main thrust of the passage Solomon personifies wisdom as the joyful son of a father, a master craftsman, and reminds us that wisdom is one of God’s eternal attributes. ADONAI magnified His wisdom in the way He created the universe. The “laws of nature” that form the basis for modern science were “built into” the universe by the wisdom of the LORD. When we honestly study creation, no matter what branch of science we follow, we’re only thinking God’s thoughts after Him. Messiah, the eternal creative Word, was there in the beginning (Jn 1:1-5; Heb 1:1-4; Col 1:15-17). Wise people learn the eternal “wise principles” of life built into creation and seek to obey them.⁴

Yeshua Messiah proclaimed Himself greater than Solomon, challenging His disciples to hear His incomparable wisdom. His superiority to Solomon and to His wisdom can be seen in the following contrasts, citing Solomon’s proverbs first and then the B’rit Chadashah references.

1. The Queen of Sheba testified to Solomon’s wisdom in this world (see the commentary on the Life of Solomon Bu – Solomon and the Queen of Sheba), but she will rise at the judgment to conform people for not listening to Messiah’s superior wisdom (Matthew 12:46).

2. Solomon taught his disciples to wait for ADONAI to repay wrongdoers, but Yeshua Himself will repay them (Proverbs 24:12; Matthew 25:41-46; Revelation 2:23, 20:12-13 and 22:12; Romans 2:6-8; Second Thessalonians 1:8; Second Timothy 4:14; First Peter 1:17).

3. Solomon depended on ADONAI to discipline those He loves, but Yeshua Himself disciples those He loves (Proverbs 3:11-12; Revelation 3:19).

4. Solomon taught that those who share with the poor will be rewarded by ADONAI, but Yeshua identifies Himself with, and as the poor, is the one who rewards those who sacrifice for them (Matthew 25:31-45).

5. Solomon focused on health and wealth now and minimized present sufferings; Yeshua focused on present suffering for righteousness and maximized future, eternal glory (Prov 3:1-10 and 34; Mt 5:3-12 and 25:1-13).

6. Solomon is unclear about any offer of eternal life, but Yeshua is very clear about the eternal security of the believer (Proverbs 8:35; see The Life of Christ Ms – The Eternal Security of the Believer).

7. Solomon motivates his disciples to please their parents, but Yeshua, while upholding the honor of parents, teaches His disciples to love the Triune God more (Proverbs 10:1, 19:13, 23:22-25, 27:11, 29:3; Matthew 5:45, 7:21, 10:32-33 and 37, 15:4, 23:9, and 25:34; Luke 9:60).

8. Solomon’s wisdom is a bubbling brook, but Yeshua offers streams of water within (Proverbs 18:4; see the commentary on The Life of Christ Gp – On the Last and Greatest Day of the Feast).

9. Solomon offers a banquet of food and drink, but Yeshua Himself is the believer’s food and drink (Proverbs 18:4; John 7:38).

10. No human ascended into heaven to comprehend the whole, but Yeshua both descended from heaven and ascended into it (Proverbs 30:4; John 3:13 and 6:33).

11. Solomon depended in part on the sayings of others, but Yeshua speaks as the authoritative Son of Man from heaven (Proverbs 22:23; Matthew 12).

12. Solomon calls on his disciples to write his teaching on their hearts, but Yeshua sends His Ruach Ha’Kodesh to write ADONAI’s word on their hearts (Proverbs 3:3; Second Corinthians 3:3).

13. Solomon calls for obedience, but Yeshua’s Spirit empowers His elect to obey (Prov 1:20-21; Rom 8:1-8).

14. Solomon anticipates a future ideal king (16:10-15), but Yeshua’s is the Messiah (Matthew 27:37).

15. Solomon pointed to atonement by showing reliable love to others, but Yeshua showed such reliable love to His own that He died to atone for their sin (Mark 10:45; Second Corinthians 5:14).

16. Solomon himself failed to obey his wisdom, but Yeshua is the perfect example of His wisdom (Proverbs 3:2 and 25:26; First Kings 11:9-10; Luke 2:52; Hebrews 4:15).

17. Solomon himself is his kingdom, but Yeshua builds His (First Kings 11:10; Matthew 16:18).

18. Solomon called on his disciples to feed their enemies, but Yeshua died for His enemies (Proverbs 25:21; Romans 5:8).⁵