Prov 8:24 [ESV] When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water
I saw the lines on her face change in that moment. I was in the hospital, in Scotland, having flown overnight from Australia. My mum was nearing the end of her life. Nurses constantly came and went, as did a few of my mum’s friends. I was waiting patiently as the hours went by for a few moments when it would be just my mum and I.
The moment came, and I stood to my feet beside my mum. And took her hand in mine. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was shallow and strained. I asked my mum to squeeze my hand if she could hear me and if it was ok for me to pray with her and would she like to get her life right with God. She squeezed my hand, twice.
I prayed the sinners prayer over her and asked her to squeeze my hand again if she agreed, and she again squeezed my hand. As I finished the prayer and she again squeezed my hand, I saw the lines on her face melt a little and she looked so much younger in that moment, just as the door opened and a nurse entered the room.
KNOWLEDGE – this beautiful scripture is echoing the previous verse, but with a different tone and focus. There is more detail, even if the language is figurative, it paints a new colour on the aspect of who Jesus is. He was there before death, and before life. We are being left with no doubt that the source of all wisdom is not Solomon, or even Solomon’s advisors. God is making himself and his Son known here in the heart of the Old Testament.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word used for “depths” in Hebrew is pronounced as “fhom” and carries the meanings of – the deep; depths; darkness and secrecy, controlled or inhabited by mysterious powers; the depths of the earth – is the abode of the dead.
The LXX reads as ” and before the making of the abyss and before the coming forth of the springs of water”. The word used for “abyss” is “αβύσσους” [abyssous] and this word appears a dozen times in the New testaments – translated into the English “bottomless pit or abyss”. The English word abyss has its roots directly into this Greek word.
WISDOM
What does patience look like in your world?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: The Gallup Strengths of Belief knows it’s core values and boundaries, and not only lives them well, but communicates them clearly. Be careful around those who don’t share your values, or have lose values.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – When there was no depths or secrecy I waited patiently, when there was no source of life heavy with oceans, lakes and rivers.
When there were no depths – when there was no depths or secrecy
I was brought forth – I waited patiently
when there were no springs – when there was no source of life
abounding – heavy
with water – with oceans, lakes and rivers
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to live with gratitude for your presence, your life, and your power.
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