Daily Verse Proverbs 8:35
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I find this scripture interesting b/c as a JW we were taught this was talking about Jesus but upon deeper study, I found it is referring to an attribute of Jehovah - his wisdom. Proverbs 8 is a personification of Jehovah's Wisdom. Try reading it with that in mind and see what you think.
The LEB reads this way under the heading "Benefits of Following Wisdom"
“And now, children, listen to me; happy are those who will keep my ways. Hear teaching and be wise; do not neglect it. Happy is the person who listens to me, in order to keep watch at my doors day by day, in order to guard the frames of my entrances. For he who finds me is he who finds life, and he obtains favor from Yahweh. But he who misses me injures himself. All those who hate me love death.”
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M., eds. (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Pr 8:32). Lexham Press.
The LEB reads this way under the heading "Benefits of Following Wisdom"
“And now, children, listen to me; happy are those who will keep my ways. Hear teaching and be wise; do not neglect it. Happy is the person who listens to me, in order to keep watch at my doors day by day, in order to guard the frames of my entrances. For he who finds me is he who finds life, and he obtains favor from Yahweh. But he who misses me injures himself. All those who hate me love death.”
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer, J. A., & Wierenga, M., eds. (2012). The Lexham English Bible (Pr 8:32). Lexham Press.
And here is what my LEB commentary says:
8:1–36 The Father speaks directly to us in verses 1–3, appealing to us to pay attention to Wisdom’s call. In verses 4–36, as in 1:22–33, we hear the voice of Wisdom herself—wisdom personified as a lovely lady, the opposite of the brash adulteress in chapter 7. The four paragraphs in chapter 8 commend the wisdom God provides for us as attractive, rewarding, ancient, and a matter of life and death.
8:1–11 Wisdom is attractive. Like the temptress in chapter 7, Lady Wisdom also approaches us, but offering noble things (8:6). Unlike the “seductive speech” of the prostitute (7:21), there is nothing twisted or crooked in Wisdom’s words. For similar reasons, we can open our hearts to “the word of the truth, the gospel” (Col. 1:5) with no fear of betrayal. Wisdom graciously appeals not to geniuses but to simple ones and fools (Prov. 8:5). All she asks is that we would listen—“Hear, for I will speak” (v. 6)—and choose—“Take my instruction” (v. 10).
8:12–21 Wisdom is rewarding. She prepares us for leadership: “By me kings reign; … by me princes rule” (vv. 15, 16). She is generous to the unworthy: “Riches and honor are with me” (v. 18). But we must value her above all else. That bold decisiveness is obvious in the words “hatred” and “hate” (v. 13) and “love” (vv. 17, 21; cf. Phil. 3:7–14).
8:22–31 Wisdom is ancient. We cannot make reality up, according to our own likes and dislikes. Wisdom was here first and is deeply embedded in the way reality is designed: “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work” (v. 22). But Wisdom is not haughty or stuffy; she is fun. She welcomed us into God’s creation with a glad heart, “delighting in the children of man” (v. 31; cf. Gen. 1:31).
The world foolishly suppresses the truth about who God really is and who we really are, replacing it with human versions of reality; but these human theories only make life worse (Rom. 1:18–32). Humility means accepting our place in God’s creation as a joyous privilege. The gospel opposes pious negativity (1 Tim. 4:1–5) and promises us a glorious new creation, where we will forever be happily at home (Rev. 21:1–4; 22:1–5).
8:32–36 Wisdom is far more than an optional extra, to enhance our lifestyles somewhat; wisdom is a matter of life and death. “Whoever finds me finds life; … all who hate me love death” (vv. 35, 36; cf. 1 John 5:12).
9:1–18 As the introductory chapters 1–9 conclude, the Father calls us to a decision. The alternatives are clear. On one side of our path is Wisdom, inviting us into the lavish banquet of blessings made available by God’s grace (9:1–6). On the other side is Folly, waving us over into the guilty pleasures of sin (vv. 13–18). If we choose Wisdom, we will be ready to study chapters 10–31 with eternal benefit.
Ortlund, R. C., Jr. (2013). Proverbs. In B. Chapell & D. Ortlund (Eds.), Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version (pp. 804–806). Crossway.
8:1–36 The Father speaks directly to us in verses 1–3, appealing to us to pay attention to Wisdom’s call. In verses 4–36, as in 1:22–33, we hear the voice of Wisdom herself—wisdom personified as a lovely lady, the opposite of the brash adulteress in chapter 7. The four paragraphs in chapter 8 commend the wisdom God provides for us as attractive, rewarding, ancient, and a matter of life and death.
8:1–11 Wisdom is attractive. Like the temptress in chapter 7, Lady Wisdom also approaches us, but offering noble things (8:6). Unlike the “seductive speech” of the prostitute (7:21), there is nothing twisted or crooked in Wisdom’s words. For similar reasons, we can open our hearts to “the word of the truth, the gospel” (Col. 1:5) with no fear of betrayal. Wisdom graciously appeals not to geniuses but to simple ones and fools (Prov. 8:5). All she asks is that we would listen—“Hear, for I will speak” (v. 6)—and choose—“Take my instruction” (v. 10).
8:12–21 Wisdom is rewarding. She prepares us for leadership: “By me kings reign; … by me princes rule” (vv. 15, 16). She is generous to the unworthy: “Riches and honor are with me” (v. 18). But we must value her above all else. That bold decisiveness is obvious in the words “hatred” and “hate” (v. 13) and “love” (vv. 17, 21; cf. Phil. 3:7–14).
8:22–31 Wisdom is ancient. We cannot make reality up, according to our own likes and dislikes. Wisdom was here first and is deeply embedded in the way reality is designed: “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work” (v. 22). But Wisdom is not haughty or stuffy; she is fun. She welcomed us into God’s creation with a glad heart, “delighting in the children of man” (v. 31; cf. Gen. 1:31).
The world foolishly suppresses the truth about who God really is and who we really are, replacing it with human versions of reality; but these human theories only make life worse (Rom. 1:18–32). Humility means accepting our place in God’s creation as a joyous privilege. The gospel opposes pious negativity (1 Tim. 4:1–5) and promises us a glorious new creation, where we will forever be happily at home (Rev. 21:1–4; 22:1–5).
8:32–36 Wisdom is far more than an optional extra, to enhance our lifestyles somewhat; wisdom is a matter of life and death. “Whoever finds me finds life; … all who hate me love death” (vv. 35, 36; cf. 1 John 5:12).
9:1–18 As the introductory chapters 1–9 conclude, the Father calls us to a decision. The alternatives are clear. On one side of our path is Wisdom, inviting us into the lavish banquet of blessings made available by God’s grace (9:1–6). On the other side is Folly, waving us over into the guilty pleasures of sin (vv. 13–18). If we choose Wisdom, we will be ready to study chapters 10–31 with eternal benefit.
Ortlund, R. C., Jr. (2013). Proverbs. In B. Chapell & D. Ortlund (Eds.), Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version (pp. 804–806). Crossway.
And here is a good article written towards the JW understanding of Proverbs 8 - very worthwhile read:
Does Proverbs 8:22 Teach That Jesus Was Created? (str.org)
Does Proverbs 8:22 Teach That Jesus Was Created? (str.org)
Wisdom is a part of YHWH, and it is one of his attributes. He used it from the beginning for and before his work of creating this physical dimension, time and the Universe and this world.
YHWH is the source of all wisdom. And later, Christ was give His wisdom and power.
YHWH personified his wisdom he places in the affairs of this world. YHWH showed his power and wisdom in his Son, his Christ and Lamb for us (1 Cor 1:24; Rev 5:12).
YHWH is the source of all wisdom. And later, Christ was give His wisdom and power.
YHWH personified his wisdom he places in the affairs of this world. YHWH showed his power and wisdom in his Son, his Christ and Lamb for us (1 Cor 1:24; Rev 5:12).
Some good thought when talking to a JW, but he is mistaken too! Jesus was created - by holy spirit in the womb of Mary. We are either the Creator, or created, can't be both, and we must be one or the other if we exist.