The opening nine chapters of the book of Proverbs repeatedly address “my son”, urging all readers to take the way of wisdom, to heed the warnings against folly and the endless calamity it will inevitably birth. Those opening chapters are then followed by collections of proverbs - pithy statements of condensed wisdom that demand patient reflection and considered application into daily living in God’s world. Heading those proverbs is a statement that summarises the outcome of heeding those earlier chapters:
A wise son brings joy to his father (Proverbs 10:1)
Such a statement has deep biblical resonances as we remind ourselves of the Son who came from the Father, revealing the glory that is full of grace and truth.1 If ever the words of this proverb were fulfilled it was in and through the Lord Jesus Christ in his relationship with his Father.
In the gospels we are privileged to hear a voice from heaven declaring, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.”2 The voice of one filled with joy at all he sees in and knows of his Son - from eternity past and into the days of his life on earth. He is the unique Son who “is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father.”3 So all-embracing is that pleasure, so unsullied and unbroken is the joy that “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.”4
The wise Son is the one whose “mouth…is a fountain of life;”5 so gracious and redemptive are his words that his “tongue…is choice silver” and they “nourish many.”6 He exemplifies, in a way no other could, a righteousness that “delivers from death.” In his wisdom and through his righteousness he “saves lives;” the fruit of his obedience, even to the death of the cross, will be for us “a tree of life” in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem.7
More, so very much more, could be said in his praise. His every word, his every deed and the entire expression of his life is wefted with wisdom. So fully does he embody it, so intrinsic is it to his being that, for those whose faith is in him, he “has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”8 We stand amazed in his presence and bow in awe at the feet of this wisest Son.
And it is his joy-filled obedience that assures us we will not be crushed as we submit ourselves to the Father of spirits but will, in fact, live.9 Live the fullest possible life in this world and in the world to come, walking in company with the Son in whom we are made sons and daughters of the King, co-heirs who will share in his glory, even as we have shared in his sufferings.
Thou art the everlasting Word,
The Father’s only Son;
God manifestly seen and heard,
And heaven’s belovèd One:
In Thee, most perfectly expressed,
The Father’s glories shine:
Of the full Deity possessed,
Eternally divine.
True image of the Infinite,
Whose essence is concealed;
Brightness of uncreated light;
The heart of God revealed.
But the high mysteries of Thy name
An angel’s grasp transcend:
The Father only—glorious claim!—
The Son can comprehend.
Throughout the universe of bliss
The center Thou, and sun,
The eternal theme of praise of this,
To heaven’s belovèd One:
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou,
That every knee to Thee should bow!
Josiah Conder, 1789-1855
John 1:14
Matthew 3:17 - see also Mt. 12:18, 17:5; Mk. 1:11; 9:7; Lk. 3:22; Jn. 1:18
John 1:18
Colossians 1:19
Proverbs 10:11
Proverbs 10:20.21
Proverbs 11:30 & Revelation 22:2
1 Corinthians 1:30
Hebrews 12:9
Great connections, Richard. Thank you.
Thanks Trev. Yes, very much so re Heb 12:2.