Chapter 8

Proverbs 8 (Jean)




8.22 "The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old."

Wisdom describes how before the world was created it was appointed from eternity from the beginning. Wisdom is one of the attributes describing and identifying God. Wisdom, like love, cannot be separated from who God IS.

Continuing into v. 29 and 30, scripture tells how wisdom participated in creation."..when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was the craftsman at his side..." Through Jesus, the Word of God, all things were made. (Jn. 1:3) Every intricate detail! Every cloud, every piece of dust, every horizon! "...I [Wisdom] was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind."

I'd like to take a look at this as an artist.

Art n - The conscious use of skill and creative imagination esp. in the production of aesthetic objects.

I greatly appreciate and am amazed by the craftsmanship and execution of creative ideas. So how does art work? Art literally means effort, or attempt. That means that there is a difference between a rock we happen to sit on and a rock we have dragged out of the woods and arranged in our garden with four other rocks, to make a circle of seats. A big part of art is intention.* Wisdom says, "I was there when he set the heavens in place..." v. 27 Isn't that a bit like arranging rocks, just on the utmost highest extreme? God is the ultimate artist! And we are his children made in his likeness.

34. "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at me doors, waiting at my doorway. 35. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. 36. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."

Are you paying attention? Do you want an expanded view? Are you taking time to breathe in wisdom's inspirations? Are you anticipating the blessings? You can be a craftsman in God's kingdom inspired by the Holy Spirit, wisely walking out your calling using your gifts given to you by the Father.

"...Encouragement... gives life to our efforts, inspiration gives purpose and direction to our art." -Janice Elsheimer

*from www.howstuffworks.com