25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
In this section of Proverbs 8, we continue to see that we—the sons of men—were on the mind of our Creator from the beginning. In His wisdom, God established all aspects of the creation for our benefit, and the creation itself speaks of the testimony of Jesus Christ.
In the first couple of verses we see a contrast between mountains and fields to the lowest dust of the earth. Then we see a contrast between the heavens and clouds with the depths of the oceans.
In simple terms, we could say that the creation was made just for us, from top to bottom. From the lowest forms of dust to the highest mountains, from the depths of the seas to the highest of the heavens, God was taking delight in mankind.
That is incredible to think about. What if we considered the creation in a metaphorical way?
The dust of the earth is the lowest form of the creation, and the mountains are the highest forms in the creation. What about the powers of this world, which are often compared to mountains in the scripture?
Sometimes, when we are sitting under the shadow of massive powers in this world, we can feel like low dust of the earth. It helps if we remember that God is in control of all things, and as mentioned earlier in Proverbs, this includes the rulers of this world.
It also helps to remember that God is “no respecter of persons” which means God does not value a person more just because they have greater status or influence in this world. God does not measure the value of a man in the same way mankind often measures the value of a man. To God, all have a place and purpose. Both receive His grace in some measure, and God can call people from all backgrounds in Jesus Christ.
We can also consider that Jesus values the dust–the meek and humble people of this world. Though the mountains are proud and think themselves to be superior, Jesus values the dust.
I know this speaks to me. Sometimes I get caught up with concern over what the principalities and powers (mountains) are up to that I lose sight of the sovereign power of God and the fact that in some measure, all things are working according to His grace—His favor towards His children.
Whatever mountain lays before us, whether our mountain is sin that rules over us, unjust leaders, or unjust ideologies that seem to possess everyone around us, we can find peace in knowing that God has established all things.
When we feel like nothing but dust that will be carried away by the winds of the times or taken in by the mighty mountains, we know that God will keep us and if necessary He will lay the mountains low and raise us up. All things happen according to His wise timing and will.
What about the heavens and clouds in contrast with the fountains of the deep? What about the boundaries of the oceans?
There are a few thoughts that come to mind. First, I think about when Jesus said that God sends rain on the just and the unjust. God is good to all, and we should strive to do the same.
I also think about how the Holy Spirit is compared to rain. God will send us the Holy Spirit in Jesus’s name. I could be wrong about this, but I believe that the Lord’s people will find renewed strength in Spirit before the end-times begin. God will send us rain of the Spirit, and the rain of the earth will cease.
We can also remember what we considered in the previous article. There are fresh waters and there are salty waters. There is good, life-bringing waters and there are waters of death. Both are ultimately created for our good, and just as God created boundaries for the oceans, so does God create boundaries for the effects of sin and death.
In Jesus, sin will not overtake us. In Jesus, we will overcome death.
In summary:
God has set all powers in motion for our good, and Jesus will destroy all unjust powers and raise His servants. The mountains will become dust and the dust will rise in the resurrection and live eternally.
Jesus is our fresh rain, and His Spirit brings us life and knowledge that resists the fountains of the deep—the depths of sinful knowledge that spring up from the earth.
Though God has established dark forces in this creation, there are boundaries—just like the boundaries of the oceans. Death has a limit, and in Jesus death will be defeated once and for all.
There is a habitable portion in this world, and we find that in Jesus Christ.
Does this make sense, or does it sound like a bunch of gobbledygook? I realize that my thoughts, when on paper or spoken, sometimes only make sense to myself and those who know me well enough to get my thought process and communication style. 😊 What are your thoughts?
Jesus Alone 