Sabbath: Divine Wisdom
Read for This Week’s Study: Prov. 8:1–21, Matt. 16:26, Prov. 8:22–31, Gen. 1:31, Prov. 8:32–36, Prov. 9:1–18.
Memory Text: The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old
(Proverbs 8:22, NKJV).
At this stage in Proverbs, wisdom reappears (see Prov. 1:20-21), and it’s clear from the texts for this week that wisdom is truth — the Truth as it exists in God, the source and foundation of all truth.
This accent on the absolute
character of truth contrasts with some contemporary thinking, especially in the West, in which truth is seen as relative, contingent, cultural, with one person’s truth different from someone else’s.
But this concept is not biblical. My truth should be the same as yours, simply because truth
is universal. It does not belong to anyone in particular but to all humanity, whether or not all humanity recognizes it.
Interestingly enough, Pilate’s famous question to Jesus, What is truth?
(John 18:38), came in response to Jesus’ statement Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice
(John 18:37, NKJV). Truth, absolute truth, exists, and it even speaks to us; what matters for us is whether or not we will listen to, and obey, what it is saying.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 24.
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If wisdom / truth was created before everything ,then this wisdom / truth is the word,and this word is Jesus.
Noreen,
Unfortunately some have used Proverbs 8 to suggest Jesus was a created being, pointing out that He was created before everything.
Although some of the characteristics applied to wisdom may be applied to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, wisdom cannot be equated to God anymore than law may be equated to God. Elements of Proverbs 8 & 9 bear this out. God is above wisdom and law and more than both.
Yes wisdom truth is Jesus remember john 17 when Jesus is saying "sanctify them by your truth your word is thy truth, and in the very book he is saying he is the way the truth and life, so Jesus is the word of God, he is the truth of God and he is God he was there since the beginning through him everything was made.
THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT.
(1872) by John Godfrey Saxe
A HINDOO FABLE.
i. It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.
ii. The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: "bless me!—but the Elephant Is very like a wall!"
iii. The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried:"Ho!—what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!"
iv. The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a snake!"
v. The Fourth reached out his eager hand, And felt about the knee. "What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," quoth he; "'Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!"
vi. The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: "E'en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!"
vii. The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a rope!"
viii. And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!
moral. So, oft in theologic wars The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!
Jesus is the wisdom and the truth. If we want to practice that truth that we have been called for, then we need to understand Who is Jesus in our lives. John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” That trush must be universal. Jesus is the wisdom, truth and light. The word of God is the Light and that word is jesus. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Among some believers there is an avoidance or reluctance to referring to truth as it is in God's word as absolute, even while Jesus may be acknowledged as the Truth in person.
There is a preference to talk of opinion, in which case diverse opinions may be considered of equal weight and demand equal respect. The end result of this is that opinions become a substitute for truth and "truth is seen as relative, contingent, cultural, with one person’s truth different from someone else’s." (quoted from lesson)
Truth does not vary any more than God does (Malachi 3:6), though a thousand opinions may challenge it.
I understand what you are saying Hugh but I think we need to acknowledge that there is also room for our perception of truth to grow and develop. Truth is more than a collection of information but a relationship that grows. I have been married for 46 years now and I guess that the way that my wife and I love one another now is different to when we first fell in love. I have learned a lot more about her for a start.
Unless we see truth as a relationship that grows and develops we are left with the accumulation of information.
Maurice,
Thanks for your comment which provides an opportunity for expansion.
If truth is something that "grows and develops" based on individuals then it is indeed relative and changeable; but this notion is not biblical as the lesson author notes. Truth is rather a fixed and universal mark.
More than a collection or accumulation of information, truth as it is in the word sanctifies, directs, guides, reveals the way of righteousness (John 17:7). Downplaying this some have killed (in various ways) in the name of truth, the person or a supposed relationship with Him.
Jesus said some who claim to have a relationship with Him (dining in His presence and in his audience) will eventually be told He does not have a relationship with them (Luke 13:25-28). These are they who defined their own relationship (terms) with Jesus, rather than observing the unalterable and absolute foundation of truth (Luke 6:46-48).
Hugh, I accept that truth is fixed and universal, but it is our perception of truth that grows and develops. When I was a child I perceived as a child, now I perceive as an adult, but I am still learning truth and still discarding some of my old perceptions of truth. And when I reach heaven I am sure that I will be discarding my earthly perceptions in exchange for heavenly ones.
We will always be blinkered by our own perceptions here. Paul says that we see things now through darkened glass. In heaven, I am sure I am going to be surprised how much truth there is still to experience.
ashton,truth is universal there will be no change,if you see from east ,west, north, south,it is same, if we so bangle is round it is enough but we cannot say more round,dead person we cant say more dead, jesus is same today ,yesterday ,tomorrow
Who is this Truth, what about Him. I believe He is the Truth, the Way, and the Life. He is the door we must go through to be gifted eternal life. Let me introduce Him to you.
In Christ is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His person. The glory of the attributes of God is expressed in His character. Every page of the Holy Scriptures shines with His light. The righteousness of Christ, as a pure, white pearl, has no defect, no stain. No work of man can improve the great and precious gift of God. It is without a flaw. In Christ are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Christ Objects Lessions page one of chapter 9.
Now that you have been properly introduced. Coverse with Him in prayer.
This lesson applies to our evangelism as well. As Adventists, we know that the truth comes from the Word of God and not from our own interpretation. In my experience lately sharing the truth, I got a real defensive answer,"Well that is your truth and not mine." I'm afraid that in our effort to spread the truth, we tend to overdo it and it puts others off because we have overshadowed the Source of Truth and it comes out like our own interpretation. We have to be real careful. Non-SDA Christians are really keen to how we live, what we say, do, and think. Please include me in your prayer as I contonue sow the seeds of truth.
jesus perhapes is the truth the way and the life
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.......... I believe if we understood the truth as being Christ then we will have no problem appreciating the fact that the truth shall not change or better still can not change because he who is truth is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Sabbath's lesson clearly outlined that wisdom is truth. Therefore, truth exist in God and as such, God the foundation is universal and belongs to all humans; but the question is who listens to the truth? The example of Pilot definitely demonstrated "who listen", for when Jesus was brought to him he did listen because he found no fault in Jesus. Pilot listened to his heart for the truth and as such lead by his heart.
Oscar Pretorius was not send to jail because there was no absolute facts to find him guilty. he might have killed his girlfriend buy the prosecution could not convince the judge that he killed her.
To the world , truth depends on how you argue your case and prove the other person that his/her argument is not 100% convincing.
Wisdom has a foundation from God and God never lie. What he says is the truth. Fact- "For surely you will die" man continues to die.
Most events prophesied in the bible such as the fall of Jerusalem etc came to pass. The new heavens and earth will also come to pass
Question to the Class
This accent on the absolute character of truth contrasts with some contemporary thinking, especially in the West, in which truth is seen as relative, contingent, cultural, with one person’s truth different from someone else’s.
But this concept is not biblical. My truth should be the same as yours, simply because truth is universal. It does not belong to anyone in particular but to all humanity, whether or not all humanity recognizes it.
Given the above, Let us consider..... The bible belongs to those practicing christianity, while it is available to everyone. While we can safely agree that it is a global truth that stars are in the sky at night and seven days make one week, what of the child who is born to other religions that do not embrace christianity? If my truth should be your truth, and it should not be relative (Bible relative to christian beliefs), contingent (on accepting on the Bible as a true guide) or cultural, how then do we reach those who do not practise christianity and convince them that the bible is truth?