ADONAI’s Wisdom Founded the Earth
3: 19-24
A proverb is a short and memorable saying designed to be our blueprint for living in the world that ADONAI has created. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
Proverbs Chapter 3 explains why wisdom matters and what wisdom creates. Wisdom matters, according to verses 13 to 26, because wisdom is the open secret of the universe. It is not a private opinion, take it or leave it. Wisdom is how life works! We can disregard that for a while and get away with it, because ADONAI built it so well. But we want the last chapter of our stories to be the best, don’t we? So wisdom matters. Wisdom also creates something, according to verses 27 to 35. Wisdom creates a culture of life amid this culture of death called the world (First John 2:15-16). Wisdom is a community experience. It is a shared experience of life in its fullness (John 10:10). We have been told that the universe just happened. We have been told that we emerged out of the prehistoric goo by sheer luck. But the truth is, ADONAI created all things, and the tool He used was His own wisdom. That was all He needed: By wisdom ADONAI founded the earth.92
This proverb associates wisdom and creation. While this is the first time this connection is made in Proverbs, it will reoccur later (to see link click Bl – Wisdom’s Existence before Creation) and constitutes a profound theme in the book. By wisdom ADONAI founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens (3:19 Hebrew). The creation is ordered, not random. God established it by His wisdom. This negates the thought that it might be the result of chance. The order of creation can be seen in Genesis 1:1 to 2:3 (see Genesis Af – The Creation of the World). This leads us to the conclusion that the apparent disorder in the world today is the result of the fall of mankind, not the original creation.
By His knowledge the deep fountains of the earth broke open (3:20a ESV). The rhythms of the water cycle are also connected to wisdom. Here the synonym knowledge is used. It is interesting to note the similarities between 3:19-20 and 24:3-4, where the latter is proclaimed: By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established, and by knowledge all its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables (24:3-4 Hebrew). Perhaps we are to think of God’s construction of the cosmos as building a house. The words, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, can be seen in both passages. We can see these three words and the construction of the Tabernacle in 31:1-3, and the construction of Solomon’s Temple in First Kings 7:14. Therefore, it is appropriate to make a connection between the Tabernacle and Solomon’s Temple with the building of the cosmos.93
To this very moment He sustains all things, and the clouds drop down the dew (3:20b ESV). So if God, by His wisdom, can work that wonder of nature, what will He accomplish by His wisdom in you? We are surrounded and sustained by God’s wisdom, though we barely understand it. C. S. Lewis explained why, “At present we are on the outside of the world, on the wrong side of the door. We understand the freshness and purity of the morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendors we see. But . . . someday, God willing, we shall get in.” Yeshua died to get us in. If you have ever visited a foreign country and felt how lonely it is to walk the streets of a city unable to read the signs, or unable to ask for directions, because you did not know the language. We are like that in God’s amazing creation. But God is translating His wisdom for us in Messiah. That wisdom is the true foundation and meaning of the universe. He is urging us to take it to heart and to make it our own as outsiders who put our faith/trust/belief in Him.94
Because ADONAI directs our path, He is able to protect our path. My son, do not let sound wisdom and understanding out of your sight, hang on to them, for they will be life to you, an ornament of grace around your neck (3:21-22 NIV). The loving father warns his son to stay alert and focus on the path of wisdom. He must be diligent in his pursuit of sound wisdom (2:7) and prudence (1:3a), which is the inner power that helps us get out of a jam. In 2:7 it is likened to a shield because it helps to protect us from the ups and downs of life. If a problem arises, then the recipient of God’s wisdom will be able to deal with it. Prudence implies wise behavior or good sense. Proverbs make us alert for the journey of life. Anyone who has driven long distances can affirm that bad things happen – wrong turns at best, fatal crashes at worst – when the driver is no longer alert. These proverbs in the TaNaKh help us to remain attentive to our surroundings and aware of potential dangers.95 Perhaps “insight” comes nearest to the original, but in a practical sense. This concept may be illustrated by Abigail, the wife of the foolish Nabal (see the Life of David Bn – Abigail Acted Quickly).
It becomes very clear that wisdom means walking with God, and these next four verses provide the motivation for doing so. Verses 23 and 24 form a kind of pair in that the first describes the safety of daily living, and the second the confidence the wise can have as they sleep. Verse 23 describes daily life as walking on the path, a common theme of the book, particularly the first nine chapters. Then you will walk on your path in safety, and your feet will not stumble (3:23 BSB). Verse 24 states that safety will continue even during the especially vulnerable time of sleep. When you lie down, you will not be afraid, and your sleep will be sweet (3:24 NIV). When people sleep, their guard is down, and they are more open to attack. The person who is armed with wisdom doesn’t have to worry about such things.
Then Solomon turns from statements about safety to a caution not to be afraid of an unexpected tragedy. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for ADONAI (3:25 NIV). Such “ruin” interrupts the life of the wicked, not the life of the righteous. Verse 26 provides a reason for the confidence that follows from the life of wisdom. ADONAI will be at your side. When the Apostle Paul was suffering, the Lord was at his side: At my first defense no one came to stand by me, all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me (2 Timothy 4:16-17). Solomon finishes with this assurance. God Himself will keep your foot from being caught in a snare (3:26 NIV). The presence of ADONAI is to be connected to the teaching explicit elsewhere in Proverbs that those who are wise are in a relationship with YHVH (see Ai – For the Fear of ADONAI is the Beginning of Wisdom).96
Dear heavenly Father, praise You for Your great wisdom shown when You spoke the earth into existence. The amazing complexities of the earth prove a Creator with great wisdom. On what is the earth founded? When men question God as to why they have trials. Job questioned God, and God replied. “Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words? Now brace yourself like a man because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them! “Where were you when I laid the foundations of earth? Tell Me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations set, and who laid its cornerstone” (Job 38:2-6)?
Your wisdom is proven by Your creation of the universe with all its perfect intricates: each animal perfectly formed for its own environment, and mankind with so many perfectly formed systems, all working together. The body of each creature is so very vastly different, yet perfectly formed. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of humans, another flesh of animals, another of birds, and another of fish. There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one thing while the earthly is another (First Corinthians 15:39-40).
It is an easy thing for you to know how to form new bodies for heavenly living. As you so perfectly formed the universe and each creature for living on earth, so with the same fantastic wisdom and astounding ability You are able to create bodies that will no longer die but will live in peace and eternal joy in heaven with You. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).
Your wisdom proves that you are an infinitely wise Father who can be trusted to: guide me at all times and to create a new heavenly body for everyone who loves You. So also is the resurrection of the dead: Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption! Sown in dishonor, raised in glory! Sown in weakness, raised in power! Sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body (First Corinthians 15:42-44a)! It is a joy to follow Your ways for You always choose the best path for me. In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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