Proverbs and the Tree of Life

Review and Introduction

Part 3 of this series explored the fig tree as a type of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Proverbs 31 woman was also examined in the context of making the Lord (Tree of Life) the center of her life. This installment concludes the series with notes on the final chapters of Proverbs, an explanation of the book's midsection randomness, and a chiastic study of the Proverbs 31 woman that reveals a spiritual application.

Proverbs 30

As the Book of Proverbs concludes, the author seems to include the Gospel. The presentation begins with an acknowledgment and a series of questions. A hidden message is uncovered in the meanings of the names, as explained by Bible scholar Leo Perdue.

The words of Agur (collector) the son of Jakeh (obedient), his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel (I am not God) and Ucal (How can I prevail/I am exhausted)

— Proverbs 30:1

The realization that "I am not God" is enormous. Ezekiel confronts the issue of man's desire to be his own God, with no one telling him what to do.

"Because your heart is lifted up,
And you say, ‘I am a god,
I sit in the seat of gods,
In the midst of the seas,’
Yet you are a man, and not a god,
Though you set your heart as the heart of a god.

— Ezekiel 28:2

Ucal's name reflects the result of this conquest, which leaves humankind exhausted, helpless, and struggling to create a checklist of collected rights and wrongs and to follow them properly, which leaves him begging for a redeemer.

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established (caused to arise) all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?

— Proverbs 30:1-4

Paul explains to the Ephesians, answering these questions by referring to the "Son of God" who fulfills this Messianic prophecy.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore, He says:

"When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.

(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

— Ephesians 4:7-10

The video above also reveals a Messianic insight into Proverbs 30:4. If you count every 22nd letter starting with the Hebrew letter yod in the word for "who" in the phrase "who has caused to arise" in Proverbs 30:4, it spells "Yeshua, gift" ישוע שי.

מי הק'ם כל אפסי ארץ מה שמו ומה שם בנו כי תדע כל אמרת אלוה צרופה מגנ הוא לחסים בו אלתוסף על דבריו פן יוכיח בך ונכזבת
שתים שאלתי מאתך אל תמנע ממני בטרם אמות

The Hebrew word for gift in this case is used only three times in Scripture and refers to gifts brought to Him in gratitude for His great Salvation.

Your God has commanded your strength;
Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.
Because of Your temple at Jerusalem,
Kings will bring presents to You.

— Psalm 68:29-30

Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them;
Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes;
He is awesome to the kings of the earth.

— Psalm 76:11-12

In that time, a present will be brought to the Lord of hosts

From a people tall and smooth of skin,
And from a people terrible from their beginning onward,
A nation powerful and treading down,
Whose land the rivers divide—
To the place of the name of the Lord of hosts,
To Mount Zion.

— Isaiah 18:7

The number 22 in Scripture symbolizes things that come full circle. The original plan and purpose of God comes full circle through God's only Son, the Messiah of humankind.

Randomness Explained

The father appeals to his son to choose wisdom in chapters one through nine of Proverbs. Structure and order are observed in this section. In chapters 10-29, the random sayings appear in no particular order. One could study them topically or categorically, but why aren't they organized that way in the book? And then there are the following types of contradictory counsel.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

— Proverbs 26:4-5

Which one is correct? Only God's wisdom can guide us in applying the right solution in the right situation. Without His counsel, it's like picking one puzzle piece out of a box and trying to understand where it fits and how it relates to the larger picture.

The randomness of the collected sayings before Ucal's questions now makes sense. His questions are pointing to the Messiah, Jesus, who is Wisdom.

... Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God ... Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God ...
— 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30

It is Jesus, the light of the world, who brings order out of chaos and randomness. This point is most accurately understood through God's creation, as revealed through wisdom described in the following verses, when linked with Jesus in 1 Corinthians.

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding, He established the heavens

— Proverbs 3:19

He has made the earth by His power,
He has established the world by His wisdom

— Jeremiah 10:12

In Christ, God offers us this same wisdom and counsel, as Paul describes in the book of Ephesians.

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe ...
— Ephesians 15-19a

If we consider the first section of Proverbs, chapters one through nine, which presents the Genesis chapter three decision scene, we see it begins with an orderly appeal. We could imagine this conversation God may have had with Adam, like the father to the son in Proverbs.

The central part of Proverbs, chapters 10-29, shows how, after Adam—who represents humanity—chose the tree of knowledge of good and evil in Genesis 3, which is depicted as the immoral woman in Proverbs, leaving us confused about how to distinguish good from evil on our own.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

— Proverbs 16:25

Without the wisdom of God, we are left with a fragmented process of gathering wisdom, but no ability to understand its order and application.

All things are brought into order, and the picture becomes clear and organized when someone is at the center of it all, as the final chapter of Proverbs reveals through the depiction of the faithful wife who links with the faithful Bride of Christ in the book of Revelation.

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband
— Revelation 21:2

The Proverbs 31 Woman

The final scene in the Book is a well-known and popular portion of Scripture, often referred to as the "Proverbs 31 Woman," which has left many women feeling intimidated by her exceptional accomplishments and the seamless order of her life. May I suggest that she is meant to be portrayed as a "humanly impossible" woman to achieve? That is because there is someone at the center of her story. Let's examine the literary structure of this last part of Proverbs and discover who that someone is.

The following is the structure written and arranged by Christine Miller on her "A Little Perspective" website. As you read, remember to compare the common letters to see the parallel supporting texts.

a) Pro 31:10, A woman of valor who can find? For her worth is far above rubies;

b) Pro 31:11-12, The heart of her husband trusts her/ she does him good all the days of her life;

c) Pro 31:13-16, She diligently provides coverings + food + tasks + produce for her household;

d) Pro 31:17-22, She girds herself with strength + her merchandise + does not fear the future + opens her hands to the poor;

central axis) Pro 31:23, Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land;

d) Pro 31:24-26, Her merchandise + Strength her clothing + rejoice in the future + opens her mouth with wisdom;

c) Pro 31:27, She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness;

b) Pro 31:28-29 Her children + husband praise her: “Many have done well, but you excel them all."

a) Pro 31:30-31, Beauty passes/ she who fears the Lord shall be praised + her works shall praise her.

Many modern women might be upset that the central focus of this successful, organized, chaste woman is her husband. Still, when viewed from an allegorical spiritual perspective, we might see that these characters depict the story of God and His people. God is the husband in this story.

For your Maker is your husband,
The Lord of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.

— Isaiah 54:5

When God is at the center and not ourselves, He brings order out of chaos, as He did in Genesis chapter one. He brings light to our darkness, just like in Genesis 1. He gives us the ability to do things we could have never done ourselves, and best of all, we become His faithful wife. That is how Revelation ends: the Lamb's wife, the spotless bride. God dwells with His faithful people in perfect harmony as He had envisioned in the beginning.

Key Words

Several keywords in the Book of Proverbs help summarize this study. "Life" appears 40 times, while "death" appears 28 times. The themes of life and death are clearly central to the Bible. It's also notable that "life" is mentioned more often than "death."

Getting wisdom is the key, says the writer of Proverbs. It's a call to return to the right tree.

Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore, get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.

— Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is a person.

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ... Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God ... of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord
— 1 Corinthians 1:20,24,30-31

Wisdom is the fruit of the Tree of Life.

Wisdom is expressed in two Hebrew words in Proverbs: the first is "chokmah," which appears 55 times. This particular word refers to the wisdom that underlies the creation of all things.

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
— Jeremiah 51:15

God is offering us to partake of the wisdom that stretched out the heavens and established the world. That which was forsaken in the garden will be returned in the New Jerusalem.

The second word for wisdom is "sakal שכל," and it appears 14 times. It slightly differs from "chokmah" and conveys the idea of "looking intently at." This word is associated with prosperity and success. Eve used the same word when she looked intently at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and believed it could provide her with such things.

He that handles a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusts in the LORD, happy is he.
— Proverbs 16:20

Another keyword with 14 uses is "understanding," a sister word of wisdom. More accurately, it would translate as "discern," meaning the ability to measure, weigh, balance, and separate what belongs from what doesn't. It also includes the idea of skill.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build a house for the LORD, and a house for his kingdom.
— 2 Chronicles 2:12

The writer of Hebrews provides us with an application of the concept of discerning between good and evil.

For everyone who partakes only of milk (elementary principles of God's Word) is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
— Hebrews 5:12

Although the sayings of Proverbs chapters 10-29 are disorganized, they are, in fact, true. Each expression is a comparative parallel of wise or unwise thinking and doing. They are all very practical sayings about living this natural life with an eye to eternal life.

The truthful lip shall be established forever ...
— Proverbs 12:19

Without Christ, these sayings are like flashcards to right thinking and living that are incomplete without Him. It is like the schoolmaster Paul described in his letter to the Galatians.

What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator ... before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore, the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
— Galatians 3:19,23-24

"Law" or "Torah" is used in Proverbs 13 times.

A related word, "instruction," is used 30 times and would, more accurately, translate as "discipline" or "correction." After the fateful fall, we needed correction. Does the correction save us? No. However, it sets us on a path to receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.

— Proverbs 13:14

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.

— Matthew 1:1-3

The Fear of the Lord

There are so many more keywords, such as lips, mouth, and tongue, which could be a whole other lesson in and of themselves. I will end this section with a final key phrase, "the fear of the Lord." Out of 28 Bible mentions, 14 occur in the Book of Proverbs.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

— Proverbs 9:10

We often struggle with the idea of fearing God, but what if we thought of it as synonymous with faith? The Hebrew word for fear is rooted in the word meaning to see. What if we understood how remarkable, majestic, powerful, capable, full of wisdom, glory, and grace He truly is? There were folks in the Bible who did and were so amazed that they fell on their faces before Him.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.

Amen."

— Revelation 7:9-12

Final Thoughts

I will conclude the message with a final word of wisdom from the Genesis of Psalms.

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

— Psalm 1

The first Psalm closely resembles the Garden of Eden story, the fatherly plea found in Proverbs, and the final outcome in Revelation. There is a warning from wicked, ungodly, sinful forces that try to lead us astray, and we are blessed when we choose not to follow them. If we decide to plant ourselves by the rivers of water, which is Christ, the tree of life, we will become like a fruitful tree. The consequences of each choice are explained once again.

... therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.

—Deuteronomy 30:19

To choose life is to choose Christ.

... When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
— Colossians 3:4

Links to all Articles in this Series