Does Proverbs 8:25 point to Christ?

Proverbs 8:25

Proverbs 8:23-31 presents a poetic personification of wisdom, depicting wisdom as a divine entity that existed before the creation of the world. This passage has been subject to various interpretations, including those put forth by Jehovah’s Witnesses, who claim that it refers to a created being, rather than wisdom as Christians traditionally understand Him. In this exploration, we’ll delve into the context, language, and theological implications of Proverbs 8:23-31, contrasting the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ interpretation with the traditional Christian understanding, supported by references from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

Proverbs 8:23-31

1. Context of Proverbs 8:23-31:

Proverbs 8 is a passage where wisdom is personified as a feminine figure, calling out to people to listen and heed her instruction. Verses 22-31 specifically highlight wisdom’s role in creation and its eternal nature. In this passage, the author was challenged to explain the balancing of the clouds (Job 37:16). So, he said that it was divine wisdom that set the conditions for the formation of rain and snow. Now, through the added knowledge of science, men understand partly how the multiplied millions of tons of rain in the clouds are held up and what causes the rain to fall.

Man was the crowning work of the Creator. God could find His image reflected only in the character of man. Thus, man was given a special honor by His Creator (Hebrews 2:7, 8). God has given man the honor to behold His wisdom and contemplate into His thoughts. Through fellowship with his Maker and the angels in Eden, Adam was able to learn more and more of the infinite wisdom of God. When people behold God they “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Even today, after human minds have been darkened by sin and their perceptions are dulled, there is still great satisfaction in the study of the thoughts of God that are expressed in nature and in revelation. Earthly joys can never surpass the pleasures that are gained by heavenly wisdom. The prophet David described the soul’s delight in meditating upon God’s wisdom, His mighty works, and His love towards His creation in these words: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

2. Jehovah’s Witnesses Interpretation:

Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret Proverbs 8:22-31 as describing the creation of Jesus Christ as a preeminent spirit creature. According to their beliefs, Jesus is considered a created being and was involved in the creation of the world under God’s direction.

3. Traditional Christian Interpretation:

Traditional Christian interpretation sees Proverbs 8:23-31 as a depiction of the eternal nature of divine wisdom. Here’s an exploration of this interpretation:

a. Wisdom as Eternal: In verses 22-23, wisdom declares, “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.” This language suggests that wisdom existed before creation, emphasizing its eternal nature.

b. Wisdom’s Role in Creation: Throughout the passage, wisdom is portrayed as intimately involved in the creation process. Verses 27-29 state, “When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command.” This language indicates wisdom’s active participation in God’s creative work.

4. Contrasting Interpretations:

While Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret Proverbs 8:23-31 as referring to a created being (Jesus Christ), traditional Christian interpretation views it as describing the eternal nature of divine wisdom.

5. Verses that Support the Eternal nature of Christ:

The Bible supports the traditional Christian understanding of Jesus Christ as the eternal Word of God and that He has no beginning of days and never created:

a. John 1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

b. Revelation 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, ^[a]the Beginning and the End,” says the ^[b]Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

c. Revelation 22:13: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the ^[a]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

d. Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from ^[a]everlasting.”

The Son was with the Father from all eternity. He is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Conclusion:

Proverbs 8:23-31 presents a poetic depiction of wisdom’s eternal nature and its role in creation. While Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret this passage as referring to a created being (Jesus Christ), traditional Christian interpretation sees it as describing the eternal wisdom of God. Through careful examination of the context, language, and theological implications, traditional Christian interpretation aligns with the broader biblical narrative.

In His service,
BibleAsk Team