Subject: Does anyone have a good way to explain t |
Bible Note: Hey, CurtMan, ["Let's get real about Proverbs 8:22." Amen! This posting is about as real as it gets. :-) This Note and my previous one DISAGREE with JWs on their interpretation of Proverbs 8.] 'IS JESUS WISDOM? 'One point that needs to made right at the start. There is no reference to Jesus in Proverbs 8:22 at all. This passage is speaking of Wisdom, and for those who teach this is Jesus the evidence is not there. (...) 'EXAMINING PROVERBS 8 IN CONTEXT' '...[See Proverbs 8:1-11 in ASV.] Looking at the beginning of the Chapter Wisdom is said to be crying out to those who will seek her. Wisdom is said to be a she speaking forth instruction, and those who receive her find understanding, and better than gold, silver, and rubies, for nothing compares to getting wisdom. Wisdom here is not Jesus, but as King Solomon is putting it, get wisdom from God, understanding, knowledge, and live by them for they are better than all desired things. (...) '[See Proverbs 8:12-21 ASV.] Wisdom is said to be understanding, knowledge, and Counsel of which kings, princes, and nobles decree justice. Wisdom is knowing what is right and wrong, and having understanding on how to apply things to life. Wisdom here is not a person at all of which Jehovah's Witnesses teach. Wisdom is that which people seek for walking in the way of righteousness, and receiving understanding, and nothing compares to having true wisdom in life. (...) '[See Proverbs 8:22-29 ASV.] Solomon continues stating wisdom was eternally with Jehovah God from everlasting. Jehovah God had wisdom from the beginning of His way, that is from everlasting wisdom was with Jehovah God. There was never a time when Jehovah God did not have wisdom. Jehovah God used wisdom in creating all things, and wisdom was before all things, for wisdom is knowledge, understanding, and Jehovah had this before the creation of the world, and all things. Wisdom here is not Jesus at all, but in fact speaking about the knowledge and understanding of Jehovah God, and that wisdom was there from the beginning. 'It is clear that the word 'qanah' means "possessed" in context of what King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 8. Jehovah God is Eternal, from everlasting, and Wisdom is said to be from everlasting, in the beginning of Jehovah's way. If Wisdom is Eternal, and Jehovah is Eternal, than Wisdom can not be created or made, for that would mean that Jehovah at one time did not have wisdom, and somehow created wisdom when He did not have any. That does not go with what the Bible teaches or with what the context of Proverbs 8 is teaching. Another thing is that Wisdom is not Jesus here because according to the Jehovah's Witnesses Jesus is a created angel known as Michael the archangel, and this wisdom is said to be with Jehovah from the beginning of His way, from everlasting. 'Many Jehovah's Witnesses point to Commentaries in support of their views in reference to Proverbs 8:22. Commentaries are good to use, but Commentaries are not 100 percent accurate. In reference to Christian Commentaries, Jehovah's Witnesses like to point out that some have stated Proverbs 8:22 is speaking about Jesus; however in those Commentaries they in no way state that Jesus was created by the Father, and in those Christian Commentaries throughout the Scriptures they clearly state that Jesus is God come in the flesh, the Second person of the Trinity. Jehovah's Witnesses work very hard to try to prove their views, but the bottom line is what is the context of Proverbs 8. What has been shared is that Proverbs 8 is not speaking of Jesus, but in fact about 'wisdom' in reference to getting understanding, knowledge, and direction. 'Another important point that needs to be addressed concerning what Jehovah's Witnesses teach on this subject. Looking at the book of Proverbs King Solomon wrote many things on Wisdom, and if Wisdom in Proverbs 8:22 is Jesus then what about the other references King Solomon wrote about? What is the purpose of the proverbs King Solomon wrote? [See Proverbs 1:1-6; 2:1-9; 4:1-9; 7:1-4 ASV] (...) '[See Proverbs 7:1-4 ASV] According to King Solomon, the one who wrote Proverbs, Wisdom is not Jesus at all. Wisdom is getting understanding in life, knowledge, and through wisdom we learn how to live lives according to righteousness, and to turn from evil. Wisdom is used in Hebrew poetry as a figure of speech as King Solomon spoke of wisdom many times as being a her, she, sister, kinswoman, worth more than gold and silver, and worth more than earthly goods. King Solomon did not write that Wisdom was a real person, but was to be sought out by those who seek the Lord and want true understanding and knowledge that comes from Jehovah God.' ____________________ This article has been edited solely due to space limitations. To read more go to: (http://www.apologeticsforchristians.homestead.com/JehovahsWitnessesProverbs8.html) |