Quote
CovenantInBlood said:

Quote
gotribe said:
I'll have to go take another look at that passage, but I am thinking that it refers to the wisdom that God imparts to men--one of His communicable attributes. I don't think it could be referring to the wisdom of the Godhead, for that is incommunicable, and therefore, unattainable by men.

I'm thinking particularly of Prov. 8:21ff.

That section of Proverbs particularly verses 22-31 speak of wisdom in a kind of poetic way. My bible's study notes starting at verse 22 say, "The Lord This Hymn-like section presents wisdom as the basis of design in the universe. The focus is unusual, but this view of wisdom does not go against the theology of the covenant and God's saving acts in Israel."

possessed me. Wisdom is not a fourth divine person, but an attribute of God that is given expression in creation as well as redemption. In this chapter, wisdom is personified for poetic effect. The attributes of God are eternal, so the figure of wisdom is said to be from "the beginning."

at the beginning of His way. Wisdom is the prior counsel of God's will (Eph. 1:11), the eternal decree that establishes all things in their relationships and determines the course of history.

before His works of old. Wisdom existed prior to God's self-revelation in His covenant and saving acts.

8:24 I was brought forth. The wise plan of God precedes His action. Reference to being "brought forth" suggests that wisdom is uniquely the child of God, but this is still a poetic device and does not refer to a new divine being.

8:27 I was there. Wisdom was prior to creation and a participant in it. Creation is the first great demonstation of the wisdom of God.

Quote
Proverbs 8:22-31 (NKJV)

22"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
23I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
24When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
26While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.
27When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,
30Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;[a]
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
31Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.


Wes

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts