Wisdom Lecture #11      Diane Jacobson

Intro to Wisdom in the New Testament: John

 

I. Picking up Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon

               A. Sirach 24

  • Dwells in Heaven with God as part of the divine assembly  2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth, and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:…  4 I dwelt in the highest heavens, and my throne was in a pillar of cloud. 
  • Proceeds from the mouth of God 3 "I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth like a mist. 
  •   Is created by God who commands her to dwell in Israel as her “resting place” 7 Among all these I sought a resting place; in whose territory should I abide?  8 "Then the Creator of all things gave me a command, and my Creator chose the place for my tent. He said, 'Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance.'  9 Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me, and for all the ages I shall not cease to be. …11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting place, and in Jerusalem was my domain.  12 I took root in an honored people, in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.
  • Has a priestly function 10 In the holy tent I ministered before him, and so I was established in Zion. 
  •  Is compared to a tree and a vine 13 "I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on the heights of Hermon.  …  16 Like a terebinth I spread out my branches, and my branches are glorious and graceful.  17 Like the vine I bud forth delights, and my blossoms become glorious and abundant fruit. 
  • Invites those who desire her to come and be fed 19 "Come to me, you who desire me, and eat your fill of my fruits.  20 For the memory of me is sweeter than honey, and the possession of me sweeter than the honeycomb.  21 Those who eat of me will hunger for more, and those who drink of me will thirst for more. 
  •  Is embodied in the law/ the covenant 22 Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame, and those who work with me will not sin."  23 All this is the book of the covenant of the Most High God, the law that Moses commanded us as an inheritance for the congregations of Jacob. 
  •  Is compared to rivers/ water 30 As for me, I was like a canal from a river, like a water channel into a garden.  31 I said, "I will water my garden and drench my flower-beds." And lo, my canal became a river, and my river a sea. 
  •  Gives Instruction and teaches those who seek her 32 I will again make instruction shine forth like the dawn, and I will make it clear from far away.  33 I will again pour out teaching like prophecy, and leave it to all future generations.  34 Observe that I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who seek wisdom. 

 

            B. Wisdom of Solomon

  • clear adoption of Hellenistic categories and questions
  • Woman Wisdom is now Sophia
  • Isis worship incredibly important. 
  • Wisdom more as spirit, as the “effluence and eminence of God's glory.” 
  • She pursues humans, but humans also pursue her in a rather mystical manner.
  • She bestows knowledge. 
  • She gives the gifts of divination, of immortality, and she leads to a kingdom. 
  • She becomes the active agent in Israel’s history, acting as guide and even savior.
  • She is found both within the believer, entering their souls (1:4;10:16), and as an active external agent.
  • She is of God, does what God does, yet still separate from God, in a context where God is called ‘Father.’ (14:3)
  • She is “a reflection of eternal light and an image of God’s goodness (7:26). 

 

 

II. Seven Issues and questions related to New Testament and Wisdom

1. None of the writers in the New Testament describe Jesus exclusively in terms of Wisdom. 

2. Make distinction among NT books.  They do not say the same thing.

3. Make a distinction between Jesus as one who teaches wisdom and the claim that Jesus is wisdom.

4. When claiming Jesus is wisdom, think about what that claim is and what differences lie even in this claim.

5. Think about Christology. What difference does a wisdom Christology make? 

6. What about wisdom as Spirit, wisdom as Trinity? 

7. How are we to hold together the various approaches and identifications of wisdom?

 

 

III. Wisdom in John -- see chart of parallels

            A. logos hymn

            B. “I AM” speeches

            C. Wedding at Cana

            D. Relationship with disciples

            E. Rejection, death, and ascension

 

 

IV. Small Group Time -- Questions?  Insights?  Comments? 

A.     Most Persuasive

B.     Most Problematic

C.     Still Wondering

 

 

V. Wisdom in Matthew -- a first look

            A. Jesus as Wisdom Teacher

                        1. Wisdom forms - especially prohibitions, aphorisms, and instructions

                        2. Sermon on the Mount -- Mat.5:1-7:29

                        3. Teacher of  Parables

            B. Jesus as Sophia

                        1. Jesus as Son of David -- Something greater than Solomon is here.

                        2. Matthew 11-12 - Wisdom is justified by her deeds.

                        3. Sirach 4:11-19 Wisdom’s story

                        4. Matthew 23:34 Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes,

                                    some of whom you will kill and crucify,

                                    and some you will flog in your synagogues

                                    and pursue from town to town

 

Jacobson, Diane. “Jesus As Wisdom in the New Testament.” The Quest for Jesus and the Christian Faith, ed. Fred Gaiser, St. Paul: Luther Seminary, 1997: 72-93.