Monday 22 December 2025
The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. (v. 22)
Background
Our theme this week, as the final days of Advent give way to the Feast of Christmas, is ‘The Coming Light’. It conjures up an image of straining our eyes to the east, looking out for the signs of the dawn to come. Today, however, is more like looking over our shoulders to catch something of how creation is ordered and designed.
Proverbs is an intriguing book, bringing together collected sayings from a number of authors, possibly including Solomon, to whom the entire book was traditionally ascribed. The writings are difficult to date but probably originated between 900 BC and 700 BC. The subject matter of this passage is much earlier, as the voice we hear takes us back to the very beginning, to creation. ‘Wisdom’ is a key theme in the book and, in this context, is much more than a human quality akin to good sense. Rather, Wisdom is an attribute of God, an expression of God’s character.
So the voice we hear in these verses is the voice of Wisdom, personified as a woman, both here and in her first speech in Proverbs (1:21-31). Woven throughout these verses are references to the origins of Wisdom, who describes herself as ‘created’, ‘set up’, ‘brought forth’. The meanings of some of the Hebrew words are obscure, but the overriding idea is that Wisdom is God’s firstborn child. Hence the long-held interpretation that in some senses the Wisdom we hear from in Proverbs can be identified with the Word Incarnate (Jesus), whose birth we anticipate. For example, in 1 Corinthians 1:24 Paul describes Jesus as "the wisdom of God".
The more dominant theme is of Wisdom’s role in creation. Having established her primacy as the first act of creation, apparently predating even the waters (depths) with which Genesis 1 begins, Wisdom presents herself as a close collaborator with Yahweh (God) in the creation of all that follows – mountains, earth, heavens, skies and, finally, the human race, in which Wisdom shared Yahweh’s delight. Commentators suggest that the words used here suggest something playful and fun. Indeed, in the final two verses we read ‘delight’, ‘rejoicing’, ‘rejoicing’, ‘delighting’; all conveying the sense that the whole of creation, and humankind in particular, is a source of joy to Yahweh and to Wisdom.
To Ponder:
- Why do you think Wisdom is portrayed as female?
- How do you respond to the idea that this ancient portrayal of Wisdom might be identified with Jesus, the Word of God? Does that affect how you understand the Incarnation?
- How might this sense of playfulness in the very heart of God and the act of creation affect how you live?
Prayer (from StF 170: 'Darkness like a shroud covers the earth')
"Here among us now, Christ the Light kindles brighter flames in our trembling hearts. Living Word, our lamp, come guide our feet as we walk as one in light and peace till justice and truth shine like the sun." Amen.
Bible notes author: Jill Baker
Jill Baker is a Local Preacher and tutor in the Methodist Church in Scotland, now living in Stirlingshire, surrounded by mountains and lochs.