Who Is Wisdom?

For Davidians Seeking Extra Oil

If you are currently persuaded, as I once was, that there is to be no more
light for God's people beyond the teachings of Victor Houteff (at least until
the Kingdom is established), then I recommend for you to read our tract
The End of Davidian Quiescence before reading this. If, on the other hand, you
realize that you are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and
naked,” (Rev. 3:) then please read on, proving all things and holding fast
that which is good (1 Thess. 5:21).

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and

with all thy getting get understanding.” - Proverbs 4:7

July 2017

by Trent Wilde

Ten Strings Publishing

www.bdsda.com
 Who Is Wisdom? 1

Who is “Wisdom” in Proverbs 8? Let us read from Ellen White:

And the Son of God declares concerning Himself: 'The Lord

possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old.
I was set up from everlasting ... When He appointed the
foundations of the earth: then I was by Him, as one brought up
with Him: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before him.'
Proverbs 8:22-30. - Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34

What is this statement telling us? Quite simply, the words which the
book of Proverbs places in the mouth of Wisdom, Ellen White places in
the mouth of the Son of God. We may then conclude that Wisdom is
Jesus – case closed. But is that really the end of the subject? What if we
ask a similar question about another passage? For example, “Who is 'the
messenger of the covenant' in Malachi 3?” Well, let us read from Ellen
White:

... Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of

salvation. - Gospel Workers, p. 44

So, what is this statement telling us? Quite simply, the person
identifed by the phrase, “the messenger of the covenant” in Malachi 3 is
Christ – case closed. We may stop here and say that anyone who says that
the messenger of the covenant is anyone other than Christ must be
wrong, for they contradict the Spirit of Prophecy! But we shouldn't say
that, should we? As Davidians, we should know better. Remember what
Victor Houteff says about “the messenger of the covenant.” Quoting,

… the words of Malachi make plain that the Messenger of the

Covenant is, in the strictest sense Elijah the prophet (Mal. 3:1-5;
4:5), the last messenger who prepares the way of the Lord … - The
Answerer, Book 1, p. 78

How many Adventists, upon hearing this statement, would accuse

Victor Houteff of contradicting Ellen White and of thus being wrong? We
just read where Ellen White said that the messenger of the covenant is
Christ, didn't we? Well, this statement from Victor Houteff says that it is
Elijah, the last messenger who prepares the way of the Lord. Is Victor
Houteff, therefore, wrong because he said something different from Ellen
White on the subject? Those who would stick their stakes in the ground,
insisting that Ellen White has the fnal word, saying, “She said it is Christ
and that is the end of the matter!” would certainly say that Houteff could
2 Who Is Wisdom?

not be right. But is that true? What is the basis for Houteff's statement?
Let's read it again:

… the words of Malachi make plain that the Messenger of the

Covenant is, in the strictest sense Elijah the prophet (Mal. 3:1-5;
4:5) … - The Answerer, Book 1, p. 78

Notice that Houteff did not come along and say that he is the new
prophet and that therefore his interpretation should be preferred over the
interpretation of Ellen White. No! He acknowledged Ellen White's
interpretation and agreed that the term “Messenger of the Covenant” can
apply to Jesus, as well as to John the Baptist, Moses, and many others. But
his authority for saying that the messenger of the covenant is Elijah comes
from Malachi itself. Again, he said, “the words of Malachi make plain...”
That is, when we are talking about a passage from Malachi, Malachi itself
is the standard. There may be many applications of Malachi's words
which are true and good, but only the application which matches all of
the specifcations of the words of Malachi can be regarded as the perfect
application. With these things in mind, we should remember the
following counsel from Ellen White:

To say that a passage means just this and nothing more, that you
must not attach any broader meaning to the words of Christ than
we have in the past, is saying that which is not actuated by the
Spirit of God. - Review and Herald, October 21, 1890, par. 1

Let us now apply this statement. When our Adventist friends say,
“Ellen White said that Christ is the Messenger of the Covenant and
therefore it cannot be Elijah as Victor Houteff claimed,” they are saying
that which is not actuated by the Spirit of God. Just so, for anyone here to
say, “Ellen White said that Christ is Wisdom of Proverbs 8 and therefore
Wisdom cannot be anyone else,” would be to say that which is not
actuated by the Spirit of God. Let us not set our stakes, and thus place
ourselves where we cannot learn anything beyond our present
attainments of knowledge. If we are discussing the question, “Who is
Wisdom of Proverbs 8?” then Proverbs itself must be the ultimate
standard. No one here denies that the words of Proverbs 8 apply
beautifully to Christ, yet we are compelled by Proverbs itself to believe
that there is more to the story just as Victor Houteff was compelled by
Malachi itself to conclude that there was more to the identity of the
messenger of the covenant than had been understood prior to his day.
 Who Is Wisdom? 3

In addressing this most important subject, we want to follow the

example left by Victor Houteff in answering the apparent contradiction
between his statement and that of Ellen White on “the messenger of the
covenant.” If you read The Answerer, Book 1, pages 78-79, you will fnd
that Victor Houteff started by showing that the title “the messenger of the
covenant” is applied by Inspiration to more persons than Christ. He
showed that Ellen White also applied it to Moses and that Christ himself
applied it to John the Baptist. Only then did Houteff show that Malachi
itself teaches that the messenger of the covenant is Elijah. Again, since the
question is concerning Malachi, its teaching takes priority over any of the
other applications. In following this pattern, we will frst consider Inspired
applications of the title Wisdom to an individual other than Christ and
then look at Proverbs 8 itself.
Before this, however, there is one common misconception which may
be helpful to clear up. That is, some people assume that Wisdom in
Proverbs 8 is not a person at all, but only an idea. They take it to be a
poetic personifcation of the attribute, or quality, known as wisdom. As
we will see, this interpretation falls short on many accounts. For now,
though, I'll just mention that Proverbs 8 describes the bringing forth, or
birth, of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:24-25). If Wisdom is the quality of being
wise, this passage would imply that there was a time before which God
did not possess that quality. In other words, it would mean that God was
not wise and then he had to bring forth wisdom. I doubt anyone here
would want to make that application, but even if someone did, it can be
shown to be not true in that it contains a self-contradiction. If God wasn't
wise, it would be a wise thing to bring forth wisdom. But if wisdom was
not yet brought forth, the wise decision could not even be made. If God
did bring forth the attribute of wisdom, it would imply that he was
already wise and thus didn't need to give birth to wisdom. All this goes to
show that the interpretation which makes Wisdom out to be only an
attribute ends up making God unwise and Proverbs self-contradictory.
Anyway, let us now look at what Jesus had to say about Wisdom:
7:31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of

this generation? And to what are they like?

7:32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and

calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye
have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
7:33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking

wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say,
4 Who Is Wisdom?

Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans

and sinners!
7:35 But wisdom is justifed of all her children. - Luke 7:31-35

As anyone will candidly admit, the one who did not dance when
urged to in this parable represents John the Baptist, for he abstained from
eating and drinking. Likewise, Jesus is represented by the one who did not
weep when being urged to, for he came eating and drinking. The
difference in behavior between John and Jesus was a point of stumbling
for the people of the day. Jesus' response to this perceived problem is that
“wisdom is justifed of all her children.” In other words, Wisdom is
justifed in having John abstain from eating and drinking, but she is also
justifed in having Jesus come eating and drinking. Even though Jesus
does not here explicitly explain who Wisdom is, he clearly portrays her as
someone other than himself, for he speaks of himself and John as being
her children. Whoever she is, she was as a mother to both Jesus and John,
since they are described as her children. Notice, it does not say, “his
children,” but “her children.”
Let us now see what Paul had to say about Wisdom:
2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden
wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they

known it, they would not have crucifed the Lord of glory. - 1
Corinthians 2:7-8

What can we learn about wisdom from this passage? Let's see:

1. Paul was speaking of Wisdom “in a mystery.”

2. Wisdom is said to be hidden.
3. Wisdom is said to be ordained before the world unto our glory.
4. None of the princes of this world knew Wisdom.
5. If they had known Wisdom, they would not have crucifed Jesus.

To say that if the princes of this world knew Wisdom, they would not
have crucifed Jesus, clearly distinguishes between Wisdom and Jesus. It
also shows that knowing Wisdom is of the utmost importance. Let's
continue with what Paul had to say in 1 Corinthians 2:
2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither

have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him.
 Who Is Wisdom? 5

2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the

Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

2:11 For what man knoweth the things of man, save the spirit of

man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.
2:12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the
spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely
given to us of God.
2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's

wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing

spiritual things with spiritual. - 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

In this passage (starting from verse 7), there are two sets of key
phrases, each set contrasting with the other set. The frst set of phrases is
comprised of

1. “the wisdom of God” (vs. 7)

2. “the Spirit of God” (vs. 11, 14)
3. “the spirit which is of God” (vs. 12)
4. “the Holy Ghost” (vs. 13)

The other set of phrases is comprised of

1. “the spirit of man” (vs. 11)

2. “the spirit of the world” (vs. 12”
3. “man's wisdom” (vs. 13)

Clearly, “the wisdom of God” (vs. 7) is set at odds with “man's

wisdom” (vs. 13), “the spirit of God” (vs. 11) is contrasted with “the spirit
of man” (vs. 11), and “the spirit which is of God” (vs. 12) is contrasted
with “the spirit of the world” (vs. 13). What is even more enlightening,
though, is the fact that Paul is not here saying that “the wisdom of God”
is one thing, “the spirit of God” is another, “the spirit which is of God” is
yet another, and “the Holy Ghost” is still another. Nor is he saying that
“the spirit of man,” “the spirit of the world,” and “man's wisdom” are all
different things. No! “The wisdom of God” is “the Spirit of God,” which
is “the spirit which is of God,” which is “the Holy Ghost.” Likewise, “the
spirit of man” is “the spirit of the world” and is “man's wisdom.” All the
terms in each respective category represent the same thing. What really
settles this point is the contrast in verse 13. Let's read it again:
2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's
6 Who Is Wisdom?

wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing

spiritual things with spiritual. - 1 Corinthians 2:13

If Paul was trying to say that “the wisdom of God” is something other
than “the Holy Ghost” and that “man's wisdom” is something other than
“the spirit of the world” and “the spirit of man,” he would keep his
contrasts straight. He would have said, “we speak, not in the words which
man's wisdom teacheth, but which the wisdom of God teacheth.” The
fact that he actually contrasts “man's wisdom” with “the Holy Ghost” is
showing that he is using all the terms within each category to represent
the same thing. In other words, he contrasts “the Holy Ghost” with
“man's wisdom” just as he contrasts “the wisdom of God” with “man's
wisdom” for the very reason that “the Holy Ghost” and “the wisdom of
God” are the same. This passage, then, clearly portrays “the wisdom of
God” as being “the Holy Ghost.”
In order to head in the direction of considering what Proverbs has to
say for itself, let us call to mind what Solomon asked for and what he
received. The Scriptures are very plain on this point.
1:8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy
unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.
1:9 Now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto David my father be

established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust
of the earth in multitude.
1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and

come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that
is so great? - 2 Chronicles 1:8-10

5:12
And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: …
- 1 Kings 5:12

The Bible states clearly that Solomon asked for and received Wisdom.
Consider now this inspired commentary from Victor Houteff:

If we do not believe what God tells us, if we do not believe what

He says He is, then we dishonor Him. He is very anxious to give us
gifts, but only if we want them. He is particularly anxious to give us
the greatest gift – the gift of the Holy Spirit. Naturally, with this gift
all other gifts are given. It was this gift that Solomon asked for, and
with it he was liberally given all the other gifts. - Timely Greetings,
Vol. 1, No. 31, p. 2
 Who Is Wisdom? 7

What was Solomon's gift according to the Bible? Answer – Wisdom.

What was Solomon's gift according to Victor Houteff? Answer – The
Holy Spirit. What, then, is Victor Houteff's interpretation of the Wisdom
that was given to Solomon? Answer – The Holy Spirit.
Now, let us summarize the Inspired applications of the title “Wisdom”
we have seen so far.

1. Who is Wisdom according to Jesus in Luke 7:31-35? He doesn't

specify, but he does make it plain that she is someone other than himself.
He says that she is a female fgure who functioned in some sort of
motherly role for both himself and John the baptist.
2. Who is Wisdom according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 2? The Holy
Ghost, also called the Spirit of God.
3. Who is Wisdom according to Victor Houteff in Timely
Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 31? The Holy Spirit.

So, while we do not deny that the title Wisdom can be rightly applied
to Jesus, we have before us proof positive that Inspiration has also applied
the title to the Holy Spirit and has distinguished between Wisdom and
Jesus. Where does this leave us? Who is Wisdom of Proverbs 8? Well, to
answer that question, as we have already said, we must study Proverbs
itself.
8:1 Doth not wisdom cry? And understanding put forth her voice?

- Proverbs 8:1

Let us remember that in order for us to understand the perfect

application of these words, we must make sure our application takes all
the particulars into account. And as much as one might not like the fact
that Wisdom is here described in feminine terms, none can honestly deny
that she is. Wisdom cries and she puts forth her voice. Whatever
interpretation we put forward, it will not be perfect unless we understand
Wisdom as female. All throughout this chapter, and throughout Proverbs,
she is described with terms such as “she” and “her.” Is this superfuous, or
does it mean what it says? If some feel at liberty to disregard these
pronouns, thinking they are meaningless or that they mean something
other than what they plainly say, they should take some time to
contemplate Proverbs 7:4 which says,

Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding

7:4

thy kinswoman: - Proverbs 7:4

8 Who Is Wisdom?

Even if the constant and repetitive pronouns “she” and “her” could be
swept aside as unworthy of attention (which they cannot be in truth), this
verse makes it as plain as could possibly be that Solomon wants you to
understand that wisdom is a woman. You are to call her “my sister” and
you are to call her your “kinswoman.”
It is also worth pointing out here that “understanding” is another
name for Wisdom, which is made clear in verse 14 where she says, “I am
understanding.” Continuing with the chapter:
8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places

of the paths.
8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in

at the doors.
8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is unto the sons of man.
8:5
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an
understanding heart.
8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of

my lips shall be right things.

8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an

abomination to my lips.
8:8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is
nothing froward or perverse in them.
8:9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them

that fnd knowledge. - Proverbs 8:2-9

Here, the voice of Wisdom cries out to the children of men, pleading
with them to hear the truth. Wisdom is said to be the one from whom we
are to learn the truth – the pure truth. As all believers in Jesus know, this
is the role of the Holy Spirit (John 14-16). Wisdom says,
8:10
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather
than choice gold.
8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may

be desired are not to be compared to it.

8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and fnd out knowledge of

witty inventions.
8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and

the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

8:14
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I
have strength.
8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
 Who Is Wisdom? 9

8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the

earth.
8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall

fnd me.
8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and

righteousness.
8:18 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fne gold; and my

revenue than choice silver.

8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of

judgment:
8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance: and

I will fll their treasures. - Proverbs 8:10-21

As Victor Hotueff said, “He [God] is particularly anxious to give us

the greatest gift – the gift of the Holy Spirit. Naturally, with this gift all
other gifts are given.” (1TG 31, p. 2). Wisdom leads in the way of
righteousness – what does Paul say on this note?

That the righteousness of the law might be fulflled in us, who

8:4

walk not after the fesh, but after the Spirit.

8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of

God. - Romans 8:4, 14

Furthermore, Wisdom says, “by me kings reign” and “by me princes

rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” What a statement!
Daniel says that that work is the work of God (Dan. 2:21), and so does
Paul (Rom. 13:1). Whoever Wisdom is, she must be a member of the
Godhead since no one else has such power and authority over all the
rulers of the earth. This is brought out even more clearly in the next part
of the chapter:
8:22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his

works of old.
8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the

earth was.
8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there

were no fountains abounding with water.

8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I

brought forth:
8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the felds, nor the

highest part of the dust of the world.

8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a
10 Who Is Wisdom?

compass upon the face of the depth:

8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened

the fountains of the deep:

8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not

pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the

earth:
8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was

daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights

were with the sons of men. - Proverbs 8:22-31

If an ancient prophet wanted to tell us of a Divine Woman who was

brought forth before the creation of the world and who was there when
the earth was created, how could it be said any more plainly than in the
above verses? It is understandable that some may initially resist this idea
since it is just so different from what we are used to thinking. After all,

No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new:

8:39

for he saith, The old is better. - Luke 5:39

Yet, if we are to judge our ideas by the Scriptures, and not the
Scriptures by our ideas, what reason could we possibly have for not
accepting the plain meaning of Proverbs 8? If we are to be honest with
ourselves, can we truthfully say that there is anything within Proverbs
which contradicts the idea that it is speaking of a Divine Feminine Figure
who was present at the creation of the world and that the role which this
fgure plays in relation to mankind is the same as the role assigned to the
Holy Spirit in the New Testament? Even more to the point, could we
honestly say that this passage does not put forward that very idea?
Indeed, Christ was brought forth before the creation of the world – that is
good and fne. He meets that specifcation. But are we to call Jesus our
“sister” and our “kinswoman”? Is Jesus a “she” and a “her”? Of course he
is not! We need to move beyond our prejudices, my dear brothers and
sisters. It says “she,” it says “her,” it says “sister,” and it says
“kinswoman.” It is about time that we adjust our ideas to match what the
Bible says rather than twisting and rejected the portions of the Bible
which do not match our ideas.
As we consider the last several verses of this chapter, please open your
heart to hear Wisdom's plea:

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed

8:32

are they that keep my ways.

 Who Is Wisdom? 11

8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my
gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
8:35 For whoso fndeth me fndeth life, and shall obtain favor of the

Lord.
8:36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they
that hate me love death. - Proverbs 8:32-36

This is the real heart of the matter. This is life and death. Do not hate
Wisdom and thus sin against the Holy Spirit. She is the life-giver.
12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy

shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy
Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it

shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaketh against the Holy

Ghost it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in
the world to come. - Matthew 12:31-32

3:13
Happy is the man that fndeth wisdom, and the man that
getteth understanding.
3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy

is every one that retaineth her.

4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she

shall keep thee.

4:13
... let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. - Proverbs 3:13,
18; 4:6, 13