Christ Jesus, the Wisdom of Creation
Christ Jesus, the Wisdom of Creation (in Proverbs 8)
“Christ is the Wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24)
“He is the image of the unseen God, the first-born of all creation, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, thrones, ruling forces, sovereignties, powers – all things were created through him and for him. He exists before all things and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17, the New Jerusalem Bible).
The following translations and paraphrases have been woven together by Steve Larson for this version of Proverbs 8:22-31: New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, the Passion Translation, the New King James Bible, The Message, the Amplified Bible, the Tanakh, the Revised Standard Version.
“Lord Yahweh possessed me, Lady Wisdom, at the beginning of His work. I was the first-fruits of His fashioning, long before His deeds of old. I was appointed from eternity, firmly set in place from the beginning, established ages ago. I was poured out, anointed, before He created the universe, before there was even an earth, before the world began.” (v.22-23).
“I was brought forth before the ocean depths were poured out, before there were any springs with their abounding waters, before there was any glorious fountains overflowing with water. Before mountains were sculpted and before the hills took shape, I was already there.” (v.24-25).
“Before He had made the earth, its fields, the countryside, before He made its first elements, the primal dust of the earth, the world’s first clumps of clay; Before He set the heavens in place, fixing the sky firm, I was already there. When He drew a circle on the surface of the deep, marking out the horizon of the earth, I was there.” (v. 26-27).
“When He thickened the clouds above, setting the heavens in place; when the fountains of the deep swelled and gushed forth; when he assigned the sea its boundaries, commanding the waters so that they will not encroach on the shore; when he traced the foundations of the earth, fixing its pillars; I was right there with Him, making sure everything fit.” (v. 28-29).
“I was there with Him, the master craftsman at His side, right beside Him as His artist and confidant. I was filled with delight day after day, enjoying His company, rejoicing in His presence, playfully rejoicing before Him. I laughed and played, so happy with what He had made. I delighted in mankind, happily celebrating the human family.” (v. 30-31).
The Lord continues to delight in mankind: The Lord your God is with you, the warrior-Savior, mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, rejoicing over you with happy song. He will quiet you and He will renew you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing, dancing with shouts of joy, as on a day of festival.” (Zephaniah 3:17, the NIV and the NJB).