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Well, please turn with me in 
your Bibles to Proverbs chapter 3. Proverbs chapter 3. Proverbs 3, I'll begin reading, 
or I'll read verses 19 and 20. The Lord, by wisdom, founded 
the earth. By understanding, He established 
the heavens. By His knowledge, the depths 
were broken up and clouds dropped down the dew. Amen. Well, let 
us pray. Our Father in heaven, we thank 
you for the written word. We thank you for this book of 
Proverbs and the great wisdom that it contains for us. And 
God as well, it informs us concerning who you are and what you do. 
And Lord God, as we receive these things, may our hearts be drawn 
out to worship, to praise and to glorify you. For you are indeed 
God most high. You are worthy to be praised, 
worthy to be glorified. worthy to be honored and adored 
by your creatures. We thank you for so great a salvation. We thank you that you brought 
us to this place where we see Father, Son, and Spirit as that 
one who is altogether lovely and chief among 10,000. And we 
pray that even tonight the Holy Spirit would be at work in our 
hearts that we would see the glory of God revealed in the 
pages of the Proverbs, and that, Father, this would be a great 
blessing to each of our hearts. Do forgive us now for our sins 
and our transgressions. Build us up in our most holy 
faith, and we pray through Christ the Lord. Amen. Well, as we see 
through this book of Proverbs, Solomon has a lot to say about 
God. He certainly has a lot to say 
about man and things that we need to do as man in God's world, 
but as well, he ascribes certain things or many things to God 
Almighty. And tonight, the particular theme 
that I want to look at is the sovereignty of God. I want to 
look at the sovereignty of God in creation, the sovereignty 
of God in providence, and then finally, the sovereignty of God 
in redemption. But in the first place, notice 
what Solomon says here concerning God and creation. In verse 19, 
the Lord, by wisdom, founded the earth. By understanding, 
He established the heavens. By His knowledge, the depths 
were broken up and clouds dropped down the dew. So notice in the 
particular context, Solomon's commendation is wisdom to the 
sons of men. If you look at verse 13, he says, 
happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. 
For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver and her 
gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies 
and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length 
of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. 
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy 
are all who retain her. So that is a commendation of 
wisdom to the sons of men. He continues this in verse 21. 
My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom 
and discretion, so they will be life to your soul and grace 
to your neck. Then you will walk safely in 
your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, 
you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your 
sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, 
nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes. For the Lord will 
be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. 
So if we were to say one main theme that Solomon commands over 
and over again, it is wisdom. And sandwiched between this commendation 
of wisdom is God's use of wisdom in the creation of the world. 
The Lord, by wisdom, founded the earth. As well, this underscores 
or highlights the sovereignty of God. This world didn't just 
pop into being. This world didn't just appear. 
It didn't come through sort of natural processes. Rather, it 
was the living and the true God that made this world and all 
things in it, and that's what Solomon highlights. He, by wisdom, 
founded the earth. By understanding, he established 
the heavens. In the beginning, God created 
the heavens and the earth, the totality of the cosmos. Everything 
that is, God made it. He goes on to say, by his knowledge 
the depths were broken up and clouds dropped down the dew. 
So God is sovereign with reference to creation. And of course, as 
we consider this particular proverb, we ought to go back to Genesis 
chapter 1, what Solomon is explaining. In Genesis chapter 1, you see 
the sovereignty of God underscored in a whole host of ways. I just 
want to focus on three. In the first place, the sovereignty 
of God is indicated to us by the means or rather the reason 
why God created. It's according to the will of 
God that God made man. It wasn't anything outside of 
God that constrained Him to create, but rather God according to His 
good pleasure. In the language of our confession 
of faith, it pleased God. There was nothing compelling 
God to make this world and everything in it. Rather, He did it according 
to the goodness of His own pleasure. Paul highlights this in Acts 
17. He says, There oftentimes circulates this 
teaching or this idea that when it comes to creation, God made 
because there was something lacking in God. God needed us. God needed 
some sort of completion or some sort of satisfaction in his creatures. Nothing could be further from 
the truth. Creation does not add to God. Creation does not 
diminish from God. As the Apostle Paul says, God 
is independent. God is absolutely sovereign. 
One man, John Webster says, yet the triune God could be without 
the world. No perfection of God would be 
lost. No triune bliss compromised were the world not to exist. 
No enhancement of God is achieved by the world's existence. It 
pleased God in the language of our confession of faith, rightly 
capturing what goes on here in Genesis 1.1. In the beginning, 
God created the heavens and the earth. No constraint, no compulsion, 
nothing outside of God making him do this. As well, the sovereignty 
of God is highlighted in who God is. He is the triune God. Again, our confession is very 
good in chapter 4, paragraph 1. In the beginning, it pleased 
God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So the confession identifies 
correctly who the God is that made the world and all things 
in it. And when we look at Genesis chapter 1, it's not just the 
plurality in the Godhead that we see in Genesis 1.26, but I 
would suggest that we see the distinct persons of the Godhead 
in the Genesis narrative. Notice in Genesis 1.1, in the 
beginning, God, likely a reference to the Father, created the heavens 
and the earth. Verse 2, the earth was without 
form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And 
then notice, the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of 
the waters. We have the first and the third 
persons of the Trinity. But then notice the means by 
which God creates. He does it by His speech. He 
does it by His Word. Jesus Christ is, in fact, the 
Word of God. In fact, this seems to be the 
commentary of the psalmist in Psalm 33. You can turn there. Again, underscoring the sovereignty 
of God as seen, first of all, in His will, secondly, in who 
He is, and then thirdly, in a moment, the purpose. But notice in Psalm 
33.6. By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made, and all 
the host of them by the breath of his mouth." Now, the breath 
there is also the language of spirit. So we have the references 
to all three persons of the Trinity involved actively at creation. And Scripture does this. It ascribes 
certain works of the works of God to God in general. But then certain persons of the 
Trinity are ascribed with particular emphases, with reference to particular 
deeds. Christ is active in creation, 
and the Scripture tells us that. That's called an appropriation. 
But the triune God is the one who created the world according 
to His sovereign will. And notice, thirdly, the purpose 
of God. Why does God create? Again, our 
confession here is excellent. In the beginning, please, God, 
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the manifestation of the 
glory of his eternal power, wisdom and goodness. That's what God 
is doing in creation. If you're in Psalm 33, it's not 
far to get back to Psalm 19. Steve read this at the outset 
of our service. Notice in Psalm 19, verse one, 
the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows 
his handy work. In the creation, we have a revelation 
of who God is. C.H. Spurgeon comments on this 
verse. He says, he who looks up to the 
firmament and then writes himself down as an atheist, brands himself 
at the same moment as an idiot or as a liar. And I think Spurgeon 
is right on. The heavens declare the glory 
of God. As well, the heavens declare 
the righteousness of God. God created to manifest His eternal 
power, His glory, and His wisdom. Turn over to Romans chapter 1, 
where you see this emphasis as well. Romans chapter 1 highlights 
God's purpose in creation, at least one of those purposes. 
In Romans chapter 1 at verse 19, because what may be known 
of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them, for 
since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are 
clearly seen. being understood by the things 
that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they 
are without excuse. See, the manifestation of God 
comes through the created order. Paul says that's the reality 
of it. Man is without excuse. Man knows 
God exists. Man sees the testimony of God 
whenever he looks out at the firmament, but man suppresses 
that truth in unrighteousness. But God made the world to manifest 
these things to show us His glory. John Calvin says the intention 
of Moses in beginning his book with the creation of the world 
is to render God, as it were, visible to us in His works. It is to render God visible to 
us in His works. And that is precisely Paul's 
commentary in verse 20. For since the creation of the 
world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen. Consider that 
statement. His invisible attributes are 
clearly seen. But they're invisible. But when 
you look at the firmament, when you look at the heavens, when 
you look at the majesty of creation, it leads you to the Creator who 
is majestic and glorious and wondrous. And it demonstrates 
that eternal power of God, that wisdom of God, that goodness 
of God, yea, that sovereignty of God in that He's over all 
things. He made the world by the word of His power in the 
space of six days and all very good. So God reveals Himself 
through the created order, and that God, as the Bible tells 
us, is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and there was nothing 
outside of God constraining Him to create. It was according to 
His good will. It was according to His pleasure. 
Now go back to Proverbs as we look secondly at the sovereignty 
of God in Providence. Sovereignty of God in Providence. Proverbs are filled with this 
particular theme. We'll confine ourselves to about 
15 verses. Everybody just said, uh-oh, we're 
going to be here a while. No, you're not. First of all, 
let's define providence. A good place to go is the Westminster 
Shorter Catechism. What are God's works of providence? 
God's works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful, 
preserving and governing all His creatures and all their actions. It's a good statement, a good 
definition, a good working definition concerning what providence is. 
In terms of the demonstration of God's providence in the book 
of Proverbs, look first of all with me at Proverbs 22. Proverbs 22. We see God's sovereign 
providence in the temporal status of men. God's sovereign providence 
in the temporal status of man. Proverbs 22, the rich and the 
poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all. 
Now, certainly that text could be invoked to teach that God 
creates, but I think in the context and in the way that it's worded, 
what is underscored there is divine providence. It's not that 
he just made creature, but he made some creatures to be rich 
and he made some creatures to be poor. In other words, in his 
providence, some have a lot and others don't have so much. So 
God is sovereign in providence with reference to the temporal 
status of men. We see as well the sovereign 
providence of God in the plans of men, and Proverbs 16 is packed 
with this theme. Proverbs chapter 16, the sovereign 
providence of God in the plans of men. Notice in 16.1, the preparations 
of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from 
the Lord. Verse 2, all the ways of man 
are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. 
Verse 9, a man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs 
his steps. Now, we'll notice at the end 
of our message this evening, when we make a couple of observations 
concerning providence, sovereign providence ought never to be 
interpreted as something that removes the responsibility of 
man. It ought never to be thought 
that because God is sovereign, we don't use the means. Well, 
certainly we use the means, and Solomon recognizes that, and 
Solomon highlights that. A man's heart does plan his way, 
but ultimately, the direction comes from God Almighty. That's 
providence. That's God's sovereignty. That's 
His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all 
His creatures and all their actions. Turn over to 1921. 1921. There are many plans in 
a man's heart. Nevertheless, the Lord's counsel, 
that will stand. So we see God's providence in 
the temporal status of men. We see God's providence in the 
plans of men. Thirdly, the sovereign providence 
of God in the final destinies of men. Notice in Proverbs 16 
again at verse 4. The Lord has made all for himself, 
yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. I take this as a 
reference to the doctrine of reprobation. God is sovereign. 
God in his providence makes man even for the day of doom. And then finally, in terms of 
the demonstration of providence, the sovereign providence of God 
is the first cause of all things, according to not only Solomon, 
but the entirety of the Bible, and it cannot be thwarted. It 
cannot be stopped. It cannot be derailed. It cannot 
go off the tracks. God's sovereignty, God's providence 
is such that no creature can stay his hand and no creature 
can say, what doest thou? In fact, if you look at Solomon's 
statement in Proverbs 21 at verse 30. Proverbs 21 at verse 30. There is no wisdom or understanding 
or counsel against the Lord. There is no wisdom or understanding 
or counsel against the Lord. What's Solomon's point? All of 
us try as we may to derail the sovereign providence of God. 
We cannot. God the Lord has spoken. God 
the Lord has decreed. God the Lord will in fact execute 
that decree according to His good pleasure. And, of course, 
Daniel 4 is great commentary on this particular theme, from 
the mouth of Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel chapter 4, verse 34, and 
at the end of the time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and 
my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, 
and praised and honored Him who lives forever. For His dominion 
is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation 
to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth 
are reputed as nothing. He does according to His will 
in the army of heaven. And among the inhabitants of 
the earth, no one can restrain his hand or say to him, what 
have you done? That is blessed for the people of God. That terrifies 
the non-people of God, to be sure. They rail against such 
things. They love the idea that there 
is a sovereign God that is in control of all things. But we, 
as the people of God, welcome it. We, as the people of God, 
embrace it. We, as the people of God, find 
it to be most soothing and most comforting that everything that 
transpires in this world is according to plan. Now, that doesn't mean 
we have it all figured out. That doesn't mean we can give 
a precise theological and philosophical discussion or debate or argument 
for all the bad things that happen. But faith rests ultimately in 
the reality that God has purposed all things, ultimately for His 
own glory and for the good of those who love Him, to those 
who are the called according to His purpose. Brethren, we 
will simply never be able to explain to the satisfaction of 
an atheist or to a God-hater how evil things in this world 
will ultimately redound to the praise and glory of God. But 
does the Bible teach it? Absolutely, positively it teaches 
it, and faith lays hold of that, and faith finds great comfort 
in that reality. And then in terms of the description 
of God's providence with reference to His goodness, So when we think 
of providence, we typically think of it in its good sense. Not 
that it doesn't appeal or apply to those things like reprobation, 
to those things like wickedness and evil and vileness and all 
of that sort of thing. But Solomon commends to us God's 
providence, goodness in his providence. He speaks of God chastening his 
people in Proverbs 3, 11 and 12. Now you might think, well, 
that doesn't seem like it's very good. Of course it's excellent. 
You as parents know that if you don't chasten your children, 
it is representative of the fact that you don't care for your 
children. The man who loves his child disciplines him. The man 
who loves his child chastens him. This is the apostle's point 
in Hebrews chapter 12. You're an illegitimate son if 
God doesn't chasten you. You're not the real thing if 
God doesn't deal with you in that way. It is a blessed thing 
that the Lord chastens his people. As well, the blessing of God 
upon the home of the just in Proverbs chapter 3. Proverbs 
chapter 3. Just getting a feel for the description 
of His goodness in Providence. 3.33b. Surely He scorns the scornful, 
but gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, 
but shame shall be the legacy of fools. I'm sorry, 3.33. The curse of the Lord is on the 
house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. We see 
the favor of God upon those who seek wisdom in chapter 8. We're 
going to deal with chapter 8 in a bit more detail in a moment. 
As well, we see God's temporal provision in Proverbs chapter 
10 at verse 3. The Lord will not allow the righteous 
soul to famish, but he casts away the desire of the wicked. 
And then again in verse 22 in chapter 10. The blessing of the 
Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. And then we 
see the favor of God toward the good man in verse 2 of chapter 
12. A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked 
intentions he will condemn. We see God's protection of his 
children with reference to his sovereign providence in Proverbs 
14, verses 26 and 27. In the fear of the Lord, there 
is strong confidence and His children will have a place of 
refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to turn 
one away from the snares of death. And then again in chapter 18 
at verse 10, God's protection of His children. Proverbs 18 
and verse 10, the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous 
run to it and are safe. I think that was a memory verse 
way back when, when Mrs. Mars taught Sunday school to 
the children. And what a blessed memory verse 
it is, the reality that we can run into safe harbor, the reality 
that God protects. the reality that God in His providence 
is good to us. So we've seen the rule of God 
over all men. Now I want to narrowly define 
this in an area that I think can perplex the people of God 
in a day and age like we live in. I want to consider the rule 
of God, in terms of His providence still, over civil government. The rule of God over civil government. There are a few things that occur 
with reference to civil government that does tend to trouble the 
hearts of God's people. Steve prayed for the end of abortion. 
We pray for the end of euthanasia. We pray that instead of celebrating 
sexual perversion, they would indeed criminalize such activities. I mean, we see a day and age 
in which we live where men call good evil and evil good, where 
they celebrate and they exalt vice and wretchedness and lawlessness. Well, at times the people of 
God can be perplexed by such things, so it's good for us to 
get a fresh view or at least a review of what God does in 
terms of civil government. In the first place, we ought 
to recognize that God is the one who puts men in power. And 
when I say men, I'm not diminishing women and their function in civil 
government. Man is being used in its historic 
sense to include men and women. But go to Proverbs 8 at verse 
15. Proverbs 8 at verse 15. Christ here, speaking as wisdom, 
says, by me, kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me, 
kings reign. We have a New Testament counterpart 
in Romans 13. Let every soul be subject to 
the governing authorities, for there is no authority except 
from God, and those which exist are established by God. Now remember that when Paul wrote 
Romans, it wasn't a utopian society. It wasn't paradise on earth. 
It wasn't a time wherein righteousness dwelled. Caesar, the Caesar at 
the time, was Nero. And Paul probably wrote in the 
mid-50s, and at that particular time, Caesar wasn't as bad, or 
rather, Nero wasn't as bad as he was going to become. By the 
early 60s, Nero was a beast. John Fox in his Book of Martyrs 
refers to him as a beast. I personally think he is the 
beast of Revelation in Revelation chapter 13. He was a godless, 
lawless, wicked, wretched man. But let's just go back to the 
mid-50s when Paul wrote Romans. He wasn't perfect. He wasn't 
spotless. He wasn't, you know, this anointed 
one that had no soil, no dirt, no ethical uncleanness. Rather, 
he was a wretch. Again, not as wretched as he 
would be, but Paul says he occupies the throne in Rome as God's agent. And that's what Christ says here 
as wisdom in Proverbs 8, 15, by me, king's reign. And when we look at the history 
of redemption, we look at God's dealings in the lives of his 
people, the Lord God hardened Pharaoh's heart. The Lord God 
separated unto Israel Saul. The Lord God set his affection 
upon, not again in the manner of man, upon David as the king 
of Israel. It was the Lord God that was 
responsible for the division of the kingdom in 1 Kings chapter 
12. It's the Lord God who refers 
to Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar has a good moment 
there in Daniel chapter 4, but prior to that, Nebuchadnezzar 
was no friend of God and no friend of the people of God. And nevertheless, 
in the prophet Jeremiah, God calls him, my servant. With reference 
to Cyrus, the king of Persia. Cyrus was raised up by God to 
bring down the Babylonian Empire. And in Isaiah 45 at verse 1, 
God refers to Cyrus as his Christ, as his Messiah, as his anointed 
one. When we come to the book of Acts, 
we see that the activities of Pilate and Herod were according 
to the purpose and plan of God Almighty according to Acts chapter 
4. In prayer to God, they don't say that Pilate and Herod are 
running around independent or autonomously, but rather they 
did whatever your hand purposed to do. And then when you get 
to the book of Revelation, in chapter 13 specifically, you 
have two beasts. You have one from the land and 
one from the sea. God is sovereign over the beasts. God is sovereign and given them 
a specific time to reign. God is sovereign over the kings 
that do sit upon the throne. That is the reality. So when 
we look at the White House, or we look in Ottawa, or we look 
at our local government, by me kings reign is what Jesus Christ 
says. And as our brother pointed out 
this morning in the prayer meeting, we do complain about them a lot. 
We ought to pray for them as well. First Timothy chapter two, 
the apostle Paul says, first of all, I urge that prayers and 
supplications and intercessions and giving of thanks be made 
for all men, for kings and all who are in authority. Paul doesn't 
have a place that I know of in his written corpus that says, 
brethren, I want us all to complain about civil government. I want 
us all to rail against civil government. I want us all to 
whine about civil government. But he does tell us to pray for 
civil government. Again, I'm not saying we can't 
legitimately exercise free speech and disagree with civil government. 
That's a blessing from God that we enjoy in this country. You 
realize that in other countries you can't rail against the sitting 
king. You can't say or suggest anything 
that isn't consistent with the various lunatics that reign in 
various countries. And so it is by me kings reign 
according to our Lord Jesus Christ. Now in terms of God's sovereign 
providence while they are in office, Kings, magistrates, civil 
rulers, government, whatever we want to refer to them as, 
they have a necessity upon them to rule in a proper manner. Look at Proverbs 14. Proverbs 
14, 34. Righteousness exalts a nation, 
but sin is a reproach to any people. Solomon speaks much concerning 
rule, government, civil authority. Proverbs 16, 12 to 15. Proverbs 16, 12. It is an abomination 
for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by 
righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight 
of kings, and they love him who speaks what is right. As messengers 
of death is the king's wrath, but a wise man will appease it. 
In the light of the king's face is life, and his favor is like 
a cloud of the latter rain. Proverbs 17, verse 7. Excellent 
speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince. Proverbs 20, verse 8. Proverbs 
20, verse 8. Just grounding the responsibility 
that civil government has to rule or reign in a manner that 
is consistent with the law of God. Proverbs 20, verse 8. A 
king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with 
his eyes. Verse 28 in the same chapter. 
Mercy and truth preserve the king and by loving kindness he 
upholds his throne. And then in chapter 29 at verse 
4. Chapter 29 in verse 4. The king establishes the land 
by justice, but he who receives bribes overthrows it. And then 
in 2914, the king who judges the poor with truth, his throne 
will be established forever. So you see, there is a responsibility 
incumbent upon those who have civil office to do or function 
in a way that is pleasing to God Almighty. Now obviously, 
not all of them do that. Obviously, not all of them care 
one bit about what God has said. Obviously, not all of them are 
committed Christians and believers and fearers of God. And in this, 
we rejoice ultimately that God is in control of civil authority. Turn to 21.1. Chapter 21 in Proverbs, 
at verse 1, the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. Like 
the rivers of water, he turns it wherever he wishes. Again, 
when it comes to sovereign providence, we may not always know why God 
does what he does. We may not always know why God 
appoints men that He does appoint. We may not know why certain persons 
win the majority vote. We may never know that. But we 
know that ultimately, by me kings reign, and that ultimately the 
king's heart is in the hand of Yahweh, like the rivers of water. 
He turns it wherever He wishes. God is sovereign in the affairs 
of men. This ought not to lead to fatalism. 
This ought not to lead to a lack of engagement. This ought not 
to lead to any despair or gloom on the part of God's people. 
But conversely, it should yield comfort, stability, and security 
that no matter what happens, the Lord God is in control. Isn't 
that comforting? Isn't that good? That even though 
there's these madmen running around on the face of the earth, 
they are tethered. They are ultimately God's madmen. 
They are ultimately in the service of the Lord Most High. Again, 
when you look at the history of Israel, you had some kings 
reign for many, many, many years. Manasseh was 55 years. Do you 
imagine 55 years of a bad king? I just, I can't imagine that. Thankfully we have term limits, 
and thankfully we have those sorts of things that sort of 
put the kibosh on that. But you know what? Ultimately, 
the king's heart is in the hand of Yahweh. Like the rivers of 
water, he turns it wherever he wishes. Brethren, it is easy 
to despair, or if not to despair, at least to get discouraged when 
we look out around us. But we ought to comfort our hearts 
and souls with the doctrine of divine providence. God is sovereign. God is over. God governs all 
his creatures and all their actions. Now, let's look thirdly and finally 
at the sovereignty of God in redemption. Now, in some sense, 
it's a bit difficult to jump into Proverbs and find some of 
this stuff. In other words, it's not a systematic 
theology. Solomon doesn't write the way 
Birkhoff writes. These are maxims, these are principles, 
these are truisms, these are proverbs, and they are designed 
to convey wisdom. And so as we look at these particular 
heads, we look at these particular things, we need to sort of dig 
down deep and see what Solomon says with reference to redemption. 
And I want us to turn back to Proverbs chapter 8. Proverbs 
chapter 8, one of the I was almost gonna say one of the most important 
chapters in Proverbs. All the chapters in Proverbs 
are most important. Proverbs 8 is significant in 
terms of Christ. First of all, the identification 
of wisdom in Proverbs 8. This is especially noticeable 
in verses 24 to 36. I'm sorry, 22 to 36. We're dealing 
with Jesus Christ. We are dealing not with an attribute 
of God or a perfection of God, but rather with the second person 
of the Trinity. Charles Bridges, in his commentary 
on Proverbs, says, it must be a perverted imagination that 
can suppose an attribute here. So glorious are the rays of eternal 
supreme deity, distinct personality, and essential unity that the 
mysterious ever-blessed being, the word who was in the beginning 
with God and was God, now undoubtedly stands before us. To receive 
his own revelation of himself is our reverential privilege. 
And then I want us to see in verses 22 to 31, specifically 
the unity of the Father and the Son. Remember that John says, 
in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and 
the Word was God. Well, as we move our way through 
this section in Proverbs 8, 22 to 31, in the first place, you 
see the eternal generation of the Son. the eternal generation 
of the sun, in verses 22 to 26. Notice, the Lord possessed me 
at the beginning of His ways, before His works of old. I have 
been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there 
was ever an earth. When there were no depths, I was brought 
forth. When there were no fountains abounding with water. Before 
the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth. 
While as yet, He had not made the earth, or the fields, or 
the primal dust of the world. You see, Christ precedes the 
created order. Arius, that arch-heretic, that 
enemy of the Church of Jesus Christ, invoked 822 as sort of 
his proof text for the reality, or the heresy rather, that Christ 
was a creature. That's not what is emphasized 
in this particular section. Rather, it is on the eternal 
generation of the Son, from everlasting. Notice the emphasis before his 
works of old verse 22 from everlasting verse 23 before there ever was 
an earth verse 23 before or when there were no depths I was brought 
forth verse 24 when there were no fountains abounding with water 
verse 25 before the mountains were settled before the hills 
I was brought forth while the earth or while as yet he had 
not made the earth or the fields or the primal dust of the world 
this doctrine of the eternal generation of the son distinguishes 
the son from the father When we look at the Trinity, the Father 
is unbegotten, the Son is begotten, and the Spirit proceeds from 
the Father and the Son. That's the way we do not fall 
into what has been historically called modalism or Sabellianism. We believe in one God in three 
persons. And the idea of the eternal generation 
of the Son secures for us the distinctiveness of the Son. So, 
in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the 
Word was God. Each of the three persons has 
the entirety of the divine essence, and yet each of the three persons 
are distinct. We have eternal generation of 
the Son indicated here in verses 22 to 26. And then notice specifically, 
we have this reference to Christ's agency in creation in verses 
27 and following. When he prepared the heavens, 
I was there. When he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when 
he established the clouds above, when he strengthened the fountains 
of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit so that 
the waters would not transgress his command, when he marked out 
the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him as a master 
craftsman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before 
him. You see, Christ, the second person 
of the Trinity, it is ascribed to him in John 1, in Hebrews 
chapter 1, in Colossians chapter 1, that he was in fact the agent 
of creation. By the word of the Lord, the 
heavens and the earth were made. By his wisdom, he founded the 
earth. So Christ is instrumental in 
the creation of man. So in terms of the sovereignty 
of God and redemption, now notice verse 31. We have the eternal 
generation of the Son. We have the unity of the Father 
and the Son in the works of creation. Now, notice specifically the 
mission of the Son in terms of the sons of men. Verse 31, rejoicing 
in his inhabited world, notice at the end, and my delight was 
with the sons of men. My delight was with the sons 
of men is reference to salvation. It is a reference to redemption. It is a reference to that work 
that he would undertake, who for the joy that was set before 
him, the apostle says in Hebrews chapter 12. Christ says, my delight 
was with the sons of men. John Gill says, or of Adam or 
fallen Adam, not with angels, but with men, not with all men, 
only some. And those as considered as the 
objects of his own and his father's love, as beheld in the glass 
of his father's decrees, as chosen in him and given him by his father, 
as his children and as his spouse and bride. We see the sovereignty 
of God in redemption specifically here in terms of the mission 
of the Son. The Son rejoices, the Son's delight 
is with the sons of men as He goes to the cross on their behalf, 
as He secures salvation for us men and for our redemption. Now notice as well, outside of 
Proverbs 8, in terms of God's sovereignty in redemption, we 
already referred to 16.4, the doctrine of reprobation. 16, 
4, the Lord has made all for himself, yes, even the wicked 
for the day of doom. By implication, even the righteous 
for the day of bliss. The Lord has made all for himself, 
yes, even the wicked for the day of doom, but the righteous 
for the day of bliss. And then that blessed statement 
in Proverbs 28.13, one of the first passages we looked at when 
we embarked on this study in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 
28.13, he who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever 
confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. You have examples 
of those who covered their sin. You have examples of those who 
tried to hide their sin. Adam and Eve run from God. David, 
or rather, Achan, covers up the loot that he takes and puts it 
underneath his tent. There's this attempt by man to 
try and cover. And Solomon says, whoever, or 
he who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses 
and forsakes them will have mercy from God Almighty. So the Lord 
Most High is sovereign when it comes to creation, the Lord Most 
High is sovereign when it comes to providence, and the Lord Most 
High is sovereign when it comes to redemption. And in that, I 
hope that we will find great encouragement, great blessing, 
and great stability. That we do not live in a world 
governed by chance. We do not live in a world governed 
by the whims of men. We do not live in a world that 
is governed by impersonal fate. But this God who is good, this 
God who is merciful, this God who is glorious, this God who 
is gracious, this God who has purposed all things to redound 
to His own glory and the good and the blessing of His people, 
that God is in charge of all things. In terms of the doctrine 
of creation, we ought to always remember there's a creator-creature 
distinction. God is not like us. God is not 
a better version of us. God is separate from us. He is 
the Creator. We are the creature. As a result, 
the Creator is due admiration. The Creator is due gratitude. The Creator is due worship and 
praise and glory and honor. Brethren, when you see the beauty 
of the sunset, you see the beauty of the mountains, we ought to 
be led to worship and appreciate the living and true God. It's 
always concerned me when Christians tamper with or tinker with the 
doctrine of creation as it's set forth in the book of Genesis. How are we brighter than God? 
How are we brighter than Moses under the inspiration of the 
Spirit who penned Genesis chapters 1 to 3? They mean what they say. God made all things out of nothing 
by the word of his power in the space of six days and all very 
good. That's what scripture testifies, 
and that fact alone is one of the reasons why God's people 
praise Him, one of the reasons why God's people glorify Him, 
one of the reasons why God's people express worship unto Him. You can see this in the book 
of Revelation at chapter 4, verse 11, before the throne. You are 
worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for You 
created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created. God the Lord is due worship for 
the creation, not the creation due worship, but God for it. 
The doctrine of providence, go back to Proverbs at 16. Proverbs 
16, another passage dealing with providence I didn't read earlier. 
Wanted to save it for now. The doctrine of providence or 
the providence of God extends to all things. Notice in 1633, 
the lot is cast into the lap, but it's every decision is from 
the Lord. The lot is cast in the lap, but it's every decision 
is from the Lord. There's no chance. There's no 
lot. If you have a horseshoe and you have a three-leaf or 
four-leaf clover, I guess, is the unique one, or you have a 
rabbit's foot, there's no luck appended to those things. It's not like if you have a horseshoe, 
you're going to have a good day. The fortune cookie you get at 
the Chinese restaurant is a fake. It's not really telling you you're 
going to have a great life. They should have misfortune cookies. 
You're going to have a miserable day. That would be more appropriate, 
I think. The case, the lot is cast into 
the lap, but it's every decision is from the Lord. That extends 
to traffic lights, much to the chagrin of people like me. It 
extends to everything. Every jot and tittle is under 
the sovereign control of God Almighty. It's comprehensive. 
The decree of God is all-encompassing. There's nothing outside of that 
decree. Every single jot and tittle of 
our lives are within the decree of God. As well, the providence 
of God, we've covered this, affords great comfort to the believer. 
If you are not comforted by this doctrine, you need to reorient 
yourself. There's nothing wrong with the doctrine if you're not 
finding comfort from it. There's everything wrong with 
you. The reality is that God is in the heavens. He does whatever 
He pleases. And the providence of God does 
not militate against the use of means. Notice in Proverbs 
21 at verse 31. It was Cromwell that famously 
said, pray and keep your powder dry. Pray and keep your powder 
dry. Notice in Proverbs 21, 31, the 
horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is 
of the Lord. God gives victory, God gives 
deliverance. That does not minimize the responsibility 
of men from preparing for the day of battle, to get the horse 
ready to march out into combat, to get the weaponry in order, 
This doctrine of divine or sovereign providence does not minimize 
the use of means. We are not to be hyper-Calvinists. We are not to be the sorts of 
people that say, well, God governs all his creatures and all their 
actions, so I'm just going to lay on the couch. I'm going to 
just lay there, and if moss grows off me, well, then so be it. 
No, we are to use the means. We're supposed to function as 
responsible agents. We're supposed to be men and 
women that operate according to the will and mind of God as 
revealed in Holy Scripture. The horse is prepared for the 
day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord. Paul speaks to 
this as well. One sows and another waters, 
but who gives the increase? It's God. It's God who gives 
the growth. Does that mean we don't water? Does that mean we 
don't sow? Absolutely, positively not. Paul says, one sows, one 
waters, but God gives the increase. Of course we use the means. Of 
course we don't say, well, God's sovereign, and if he's going 
to save, he'll just zap them into the kingdom. No. In the 
wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God. It pleased 
God through the foolishness of the message preached to save 
those who believe. So sovereign providence does 
not result in hyper-Calvinism. Hyper-Calvinism is an aberration. Hyper-Calvinism is a departure 
from biblical truth. Hyper-Calvinism is a form of 
rationalism that cannot, in its own mind, conceptualize a sovereign 
God and responsible man. But the Bible sets forth a sovereign 
God and responsible man. And then finally, the doctrine 
of redemption. You go back to Proverbs 8, just 
by way of a practical exhortation to end on, look at what Christ's 
wisdom says at the end of Proverbs 8. Verse 32, now, therefore, 
listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my 
ways. Hear instruction and be wise and do not disdain it. Blessed 
is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting 
for the posts of my doors. He says, for whoever finds me, 
finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. The blessedness 
of believing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is Christ 
speaking as wisdom. This is the wisdom of God that 
is from everlasting. If Christ is creature, then there 
was a time when God was without wisdom. Perish the thought, the 
Lord most high in his infinite wisdom, glory, and honor has 
said, With reference to salvation, whoever finds Christ finds life 
and obtains favor from the Lord. And then it ends on this solemn 
note of warning, verse 36. But he who sins against me wrongs 
his own soul. All those who hate me love death. Why is there abortion? Why is 
there euthanasia? Why do we live in a culture riddled 
with murder? Because men hate Jesus Christ. Because men despise the second 
person of the Trinity. Men have more affinity with their 
father, the devil, who was a liar and a murderer from the beginning. 
Listen to the solemn warning, and may this not be true of you. 
He who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate 
me love death. Take the positive admonition 
prior to that, whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor 
from the Lord. That is the blessedness of belief 
in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Well, let us close in 
a word of prayer. Our Father, we thank you for 
your sovereignty in creation, in providence, and in redemption. 
We thank you that in your sovereignty, in your decree, You've included 
the likes of us to be participants in such a glorious plan of redemption. How we thank you for the Lord 
Jesus Christ, how we thank you for His life, His death, His 
resurrection, how we thank you that in Him we have everlasting 
life and we have obtained favor from God Almighty. We pray that 
others would know this, others would taste and see that the 
Lord is good, and that, Father, these things, these truths concerning 
the sovereignty of God would be a great balm to our hearts, 
would be a great stabilizer in our lives, and would provide 
that security and that comfort which the biblical authors bring 
to bear upon us. Go with us now, we pray. Help 
us to have a good week. Help us to bring glory and honor 
to you in this week. And we ask through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen.