Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 1: Lección 7 “La primera familia”

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Pasaje Destacado: Génesis 1:26–28; 2:24

 

Dios creó al primer hombre, Adán, y luego creó a Eva, su compañera para toda la vida. La familia fue creada por Dios para el bien de la humanidad. Dios estableció la familia humana para reproducirse así mismo por medio de ella (Malaquías 2:15), permitiendo así que la humanidad participe en el plan de Dios de tener muchos hijos e hijas nacidas dentro de Su familia. Como se dijo anteriormente, Dios comenzó con una familia: un hombre y una mujer, Adán y Eva. Todos los seres humanos que alguna vez hayan vivido descienden de Adán y Eva.

Discusión:

  • Explique a sus hijos qué es una familia. Enfatice que una familia comienza con un hombre y una mujer. Es posible que desee aprovechar esta oportunidad para explicar los roles del padre, madre e hijos en la familia.
  • Pregunte a sus hijos quién creó la familia y quiénes fueron la primera familia en la Tierra.
  • Hable sobre el plan de Dios de tener una gran familia con hijos, seres humanos, que se verán como Él es. Diga a sus hijos que Dios quiere que ellos formen parte de Su familia.
  • Exprese a su hijo que Dios fue padre de Adán y Eva, que Él los amó y les enseñó lo que necesitaban saber para vivir una vida feliz.

Memorizar y revisar:

Génesis 1:27 “Y creó Dios al hombre a su imagen, a imagen de Dios lo creó; varón y hembra los creó”.

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Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 3: Lección 6 “La re-creación: días 1 a 7”

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Pasaje Destacado: Génesis 1:1 a 2:3; Salmos 104: 5–9, 30; Isaías 45:18.

Génesis 1:1 describe a Dios creando todo en el universo visible. Creó todo en un estado armonioso y hermoso. Pero Génesis 1:2 describe la Tierra como un lugar muy hostil e inhabitable. Entonces, ¿qué pasó entre los versículos 1 y 2? Este es un período de tiempo de posiblemente millones de años. Durante este tiempo Lucifer se rebeló contra Dios, y su nombre fue cambiado a Satanás. La destrucción en la Tierra fue el resultado de la guerra de Satanás contra Dios. Cuando Satanás fue derrotado, Dios “limpió” el desastre en los siete días de la re-creación! Luego, Dios rehabilitó la Tierra, volviéndola adecuada para la vida humana. Él restauró la hermosa atmósfera de la Tierra, hizo que apareciera la tierra seca, hizo que crecieran las plantas, creó las aves y los peces y, finalmente, los animales terrestres y los primeros humanos. Entonces, Dios creó el sábado en el séptimo día de la creación descansando en él, y dándole así ejemplo a la humanidad para que haga lo mismo.

Discusión:

  • Explique que “en el principio Dios creó los cielos y la Tierra” en Génesis 1:1 se refiere a Dios creando el universo físico en un estado de belleza y armonía.
  • Explique que “crear” en Génesis 1:1 significa literalmente “crear” de la nada.
  • Ayude a sus hijos a comprender que pudo haber pasado mucho tiempo entre los versículos 1 y 2del Génesis.
  • Explique que cuando Génesis 1:2 dice que los cielos y la Tierra estaban en un estado dedestrucción y caos, significa que “se volvieron” de esa manera debido a la rebelión de Satanás.
  • La palabra “era” en Génesis 1: 2 proviene de la palabra hebrea que significa “volverse, llegar a sero llegar a quedar”.
  • Las palabras “sin forma ni vacío” en Génesis 1:2 provienen de palabras hebreas que significan unestado de confusión o vacío.
  • Isaías 45:18 dice que Dios no creó la Tierra) en vano; es decir, en un estado de confusión o vacío.
  • Explique que por la rebelión de Satanás se dañó la superficie de la Tierra, y que Dios la “renovó”(Salmo 104:30) en la “semana de la re-creación” para hacerla habitable para los seres humanos.
  • Pregunte a sus hijos por qué Dios recreó la superficie de la Tierra. Recuérdeles la importancia dela familia humana para Dios.
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Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 2: Lección 6 “La Re-Creación: Días 1 a 7”

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Pasaje Destacado: Génesis 1:1–8,1: 9–19; Salmos 104:5–9; Génesis 1:20–2:3

La semana de la re-creación ocurrió quizás millones de años después de que Dios creó el universo en el principio. Algunos de los ángeles, cerca de un tercio de ellos, se rebelaron contra el gobierno de Dios y trajeron el caos a la creación, dejando devastada la Tierra. Fue en este entorno que Dios rehabilitó la Tierra, haciéndola adecuada para la vida humana. Lo primero que Dios hizo fue restaurar la luz en la Tierra y, en el día dos, preparó la expansión de los Cielos. El día tres de la semana de la re-creación, Dios hizo aparecer la Tierra separándola de los mares. Él hizo que las plantas crecieran. Todos los árboles frutales, los árboles que dan sombra, las plantas comestibles y las hermosas flores surgieron cuando Él lo ordenó. En el cuarto día el Sol, la Luna y las estrellas fueron establecidos como señales para las estaciones, los días y los años para que los humanos pudieran registrar el paso del tiempo. El saber cuándo ocurren las estaciones nos ayuda a planificar la siembra y la cosecha y, especialmente, para guardar los Días Santos de Dios. En el quinto día de la semana de la re-creación, Dios creó los pájaros y los peces. Pájaros cantores junto con aves más grandes volaron por el cielo; los peces poblaron los lagos, arroyos y océanos. Luego, en el sexto día, Dios creó los animales terrestres. Hacia el final del sexto día, Dios creó al primer hombre, Adán, en la propia imagen de Dios. Dios creó el sábado en el séptimo día de la re-creación y descansó, dándole ejemplo a la humanidad para que haga lo mismo.

Discusión:

  • Ayude a su hijo a comprender que podría haber transcurrido mucho tiempo entre lo que se dice en los versículos 1 y 2 de Génesis.
  • Pregunte cómo debió haber sido la Tierra cuando todo estaba oscura y cubierta de espesas nubes y agua.
  • Explique que Dios hace las cosas en etapas, y cuando re-creó la Tierra ¡Comenzó por “encender las luces” (despejando la oscuridad) primero!
  • Pregunte por qué Dios hizo la Tierra. ¿Para qué sirve la Tierra a los humanos y a los animales?
  • Ayude a sus hijos a hacer una lista de todas las cosas que las personas y los animales hacen con las plantas.
  • Pregunte a quién se parecen los humanos y qué dijo Dios sobre Su creación.
  • Pregunte a sus hijos qué le gusta del sábado y por qué es especial.
  • Recuérdele a sus hijos que Dios hizo el sábado y lo apartó para uso santo.
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Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 1: Lección 6 “Dios crea una ayuda idónea para Adán”

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Pasaje Destacado: Génesis 2:18, 21–23; 3:20

Dios creó un paraíso perfecto y dijo que era muy bueno (Génesis 1:31). Adán disfrutó viendo los animales. Vio que cada uno tenía una compañera; sin embargo, él no tenía una compañera. Dios esperó hasta el momento justo para crearle una compañera a Adán, una que fuera como él. La versión Reina Valera de la Biblia dice que Dios creó una “ayuda idónea” para Adán (Génesis 2:18), en otras palabras, una ayudante adecuada para Adán. Adán fue creado del polvo de la tierra, pero su ayudante fue creada a partir de la costilla de Adán. Adán llamó a su compañera mujer o “Varona”, que significa “tomada del hombre”, el nombre de ella fue Eva. Tanto Adán como Eva, hombre y mujer, fueron creados a imagen de Dios, y tanto los hombres como las mujeres tienen el potencial de ser parte de la familia de Dios.

Discusión:

  • Pregunte a sus hijos cómo creen que se sintió Adán al ser el único ser humano en el planeta.
  • Pregunte cómo piensan que se sintió Adán cuando Dios le presentó una compañera.
  • Explique a sus hijos lo que significa “ayuda idónea”.
  • Enfatice el hecho de que Adán fue creado primero del polvo de la tierra y luego Eva fue creada a partir de Adán.
  • Hable con sus hijos sobre cómo debió haber sido la vida de Adán y Eva en el hermoso jardín. Pregúnteles qué piensan de esto.

Memorizar y revisar:

Génesis 1:27 “Y creó Dios al hombre a su imagen, a imagen de Dios lo creó; varón y hembra los creó”.

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LivingEd-Charlotte 2020 Begins!

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Last week, the new students arrived for the 2020 Living Education Charlotte program.

To kick off the new year, the students and a few members of the faculty headed up to Blowing Rock, North Carolina for an overnight orientation trip which included meetings and an exciting whitewater rafting trip on the Watauga River. For the remainder of the orientation week, the students returned to Charlotte where they met the HQ department managers and learned about their work-study positions. Orientation was a beneficial experience for everyone involved. The students were able to familiarize themselves with the program expectations and had plenty of time to settle into their new homes, and everyone could begin to get to know each other and lay the groundwork for our 2020 Living Education family. The students are bustling with energy and enthusiasm for their 9-month experience, and the faculty look forward to helping them make the most of this wonderful opportunity to develop various life skills, dig into the Bible, and strengthen their relationships with God.

Digging Deeper: Something Better Than Life

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Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education

Estimated Reading Time: 6 min., 25 sec.

Did you know that there is something better than life itself?

It is only natural to treasure and protect our lives because they are so precious and relatively short. We try to take good care of ourselves and live safely to preserve life. To us, it is one of the most precious things of our earthly existence. However, one biblical writer asserted that there was something in his life that was even better than life itself. Most people would find this hard to believe. Nonetheless, this is what the Holy Bible states. In my daily Bible reading, occasionally I come across an intriguing phrase that arouses my interest. Researching some of them has lead to several of my Digging Deeper articles. This topic is another one.  Today’s Digging Deeper will disclose this superior blessing that is better than life.

The word better appears 7 times in the Book of Psalms. Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible Notes provides a list of them entitled “Seven Better Things In Psalms”:

1. A little with righteousness is better than the riches of many wicked (Psa 37:16).

2. God’s lovingkindness is better than life itself (Psa 63:3).

3. Praise is better than sacrifices (Psa 69:31).

4. One day in God’s house is better than a thousand other days (Psa 84:10).

5. Trust in God is better than confidence in man (Psa 118:8).

6. Trust in God is better than confidence in princes (Psa 118:9).

7. Truth is better than gold and silver (Psa 119:72). (Bible Analyzer 5.4.1.22)

Our focus for this article will be on just one: “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee”  (Psalm 63:3 KJV). The superscription in this psalm’s first verse tells us it is “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.”  David spent much time outdoors in his younger years, first as a shepherd boy, later when he was on the run from his persecutor, King Saul, and even later when he as a warrior-king leading his army against their enemies. He knew many dangers and developed a special bond with his God that enabled him to trust Him and fully appreciate the Almighty’s lovingkindness. 

The English word lovingkindess appears 30 times in our Authorized Version (KJV) of the Bible, all in the Old Testament. The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), Vol. 1 defines it as, “Affectionate tenderness and consideration; kindness arising from a deep personal love, as the active love of God for his creatures” (Oxford University Press, 1986, Letter L, p.470). Years ago, I read that when the English translators came to the original Hebrew word, hesed, they did not have an exact English equivalent. Stephen D. Renn’s Expository Dictionary of Bible Words explains: “Concerning the translation of hesed with reference to the character of Yahweh, it is difficult, if not impossible, to precisely convey the full meaning of the term with just one English word or phrase. The semantic range of the term is rich and complex” (Hendrickson Publishers, 2006, p. 634). Therefore, the English translators created a new word by combining loving and kindness to express the meaning of the Hebrew word. The OED reports that The Coverdale Bible, the first complete Modern English translation of the Bible, first introduced lovingkindness in 1535 (Ibid.). The Coverdale Bible was also the first printed complete English Bible. English Bibles produced after the Coverdale Bible followed its example by translating the Hebrew word as lovingkindness.

 Hesed appears about 250 times in the Hebrew Bible and is usually translated today as “mercy,” “kindness,” or “steadfast love.” Renn gives this initial definition: “…hesed constitutes one of the most significant theological terms in the Hebrew Scriptures. The right understanding of the term is bound up with its relationship to the divine covenant with Israel. When applied to Yahweh, hesed is fundamentally the expression of his loyalty and devotion to the solemn promises attached to the covenant. It is most commonly applied to God, but it is also used to describe a human quality, as well as expressing human commitment to the covenant” (Ibid., p. 633).

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) also connects this Hebrew word to God’s forgiveness: “When used of God hesed denotes, in general, ‘the Divine Love condescending to His creatures, more especially to sinners, in unmerited kindness’” (Delitzsch). It is frequently associated with forgiveness, and is practically equivalent to ‘mercy’ or ‘mercifulness’ (Exodus 20:6)…” (e-Sword 12.1). David certainly needed God’s forgiveness, for example after his affair with Bathsheba and his ordering of her husband Uriah’s death. David deserved death, but God forgave him because of His lovingkindness (2 Samuel 12:13). Notice this cross-reference: “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. HAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions”  (Psalm 51:1 KJV).

We all need such divine forgiveness! The ISBE article continues: “Cheyne (Encyclopedia Biblica) regards hesed as denoting paternal affection on God’s part, answered by filial and loyal affection and brotherly love on man’s part (philadelphia in the New Testament). The word ‘lovingkindness’ does not occur in the New Testament, but as its equivalents we have such terms as ‘mercy,’ ‘goodness,’ ‘kindness,’ ‘brotherly love’” (e-Sword 12.1).

Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible explains why David considered God’s lovingkindess better than life: “Life is the most valued and valuable thing pertaining to this world which we can possess … But, above this, David valued the favor and friendship of God. If one or the other was to be sacrificed, he preferred that it should be his life; he would be willing to exchange that for the favor of God. Life was not desirable, life furnished no comforts – no joys – without the divine favor” (e-Sword 12.1). David had a change of heart that today we call “repentance.” Once he surrendered to God, he had a different set of values. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible illustrates: “This is the language of every regenerate soul. But O how few prefer the approbation of God to the blessings of life, or even to life itself in any circumstances” (e-Sword 12.1). So many today live for themselves apart from God’s lovingkindness with the philosophy, “Eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19). 

John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible takes this understanding a step further: “For life without the love of God is nothing else than death: a man that has no share in the love of God is dead while he lives; all the enjoyments of life, health, riches, honour, friends, & c. are nothing without the love of God; the meanest temporal blessings with it are preferable to the greatest without it, Proverbs 15:17; it lasts longer than life, and therefore must be better than that; death cannot separate from it; it continues to all eternity” (e-Sword 12.1). Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible provides a further consideration: “God’s lovingkindness is in itself, and in the account of all the saints, better than life. It is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life, Psalm 30:5. It is better, a thousand times, to die in God’s favour than to live under his wrath” (e-Sword 12.1).

Our focus verse came from the Book of Psalms, which was Israel’s hymnbook and praise literature. It displays “true values” in a world that has lost its way through sin. Our world’s sense of “values” are often corrupt and ungodly. By contrast, God’s people strive for godly virtues. David was inspired to write about many of these virtues in his psalms. Now that Christ has come, Christians have even more reason to consider God’s lovingkindness better than life!

Kenneth Frank headshot

Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.

Life to Lessons: Think Aloud

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Estimated Reading Time: 2 min. 23 sec.

Johnny’s mother is sitting with Johnny on the living room sofa.

She is holding a Bible in her lap, while Johnny looks at the picture on the printed Bible lesson in his hand. Johnny’s mother is trying to read the recommended verses out loud, but though her voice is full of enthusiasm and animation, Johnny keeps interrupting her with questions. “How did Adam pick names for all the animals? Why did God make fish before giraffes? Why did God make people with five fingers?”

Johnny’s mother, attempting to make it through the rest of the readings, shushes and dismisses his seemingly irrelevant questions. But as Johnny persistently repeats his questions, and his mother continues to ignore them and plow through the readings, both become more and more frustrated. What should Johnny’s mother do? Should she stop to answer Johnny’s random questions, or continue to struggle to keep him quiet while she reads the rest of the passages, or is there another possible solution?

Reading the Bible out loud should be more than an exercise in theatrical reading, and attentive listening. While there are times for children to sit and listen quietly, sharing the Bible with your child can be an excellent opportunity to allow them to “think aloud”. A tried and true strategy used by teachers around the world, the “Think Aloud” reading strategy creates a methodical and accessible approach to engage children in the content. To implement this strategy in your Bible reading lessons is simple! First, make sure you are stopping to think aloud as you read. Verbalizing your thoughts as you read out loud will give you the opportunity to guide your child’s understanding of the passage, to model types of questions which can be considered, and to keep your child engaged in the reading. Second, give your child the opportunity to verbalize their thoughts at appropriate times. Allowing them to do so will help you gauge what they are taking away from the passage, give you the opportunity to answer any questions they have (sometimes even questions which may not seem relevant, may be important to your child’s overall understanding of the passage), and give them important processing time that children need as they take in new material.

Think Aloud Example:

(modeling “Think Aloud” strategy): “Now the LORD said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred”…that means family…“and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee”…Wow! Imagine! God told Abram to leave his home, his family, and to go somewhere else. He didn’t even tell him where his new home would be, but He said, “and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing”…God was saying, if Abram left his home and followed God, God was going to bless him greatly. 

Digging Deeper: Christ the Creator

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Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education

Estimated Reading Time: 7 min.

Did you know that our Lord Jesus Christ is the one of whom it is spoken, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1 KJV)?

Many people think of the Creator as the one Christians now know as “God the Father.” However, New Testament Scriptures clarify that the Father created all things by Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Hebrews 1:1-2; Ephesians 3:8-9). This is such an important doctrine it is surprising that more Christians are not taught this. In this Digging Deeper, we will explore this wonderful truth that should encourage us to appreciate this intricate and magnificent creation from our Savior – and to take better care of it (Genesis 2:15).

Colossians 1:15 declares that Christ is “the image of the invisible God.” Then follow our keystone Scriptures from which we will launch our study about Christ’s preeminence in Creation: Colossians 1:16-17 KJV “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” The NKJ Study Bible notes that “This early Christian hymn emphasizes the superiority of Christ over all creation” (Tecarta Bible App). 

Joseph Henry Thayer in his Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament explains that the Greek words for “all things” in v. 16 are ta panta, which mean “the universe of things,”  or “the totality of created things” (Bible Analyzer 5.4.1.22). The NIV Study Bible notes that “Seven times in vv. 15 – 20 Paul mentions ‘all creation,’ ‘all things’ and ‘everything,’ thus stressing that Christ is supreme over all” (Tecarta Bible App). Realizing this, we can now better appreciate that the One who sacrificed His life for us to become our Savior was also the Creator of Genesis 1:1.

Notice that Jesus Christ is the Creator, not the created, as some heretical teachers, such as Arians, have proclaimed. This explanation from The Henry Morris Study Bible elaborates: “Jesus Christ certainly is not a created being—not even the first created being—as many have argued, for the obvious reason that He Himself is the Creator of all things in heaven and earth, material and spiritual, visible or invisible. Only God can create, and God did not create Himself!” (Master Books, 2071, p. 1831). 

The Gospel of John begins with this teaching because it is fundamental for understanding who Jesus Christ is as God and Savior. Speaking of the one called the Word, notice what John writes: (John 1:3 KJV)  “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Notice further down (John 1:10 KJV):  “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” The world did not know its Creator and, through its rebellion, offended Him! Nonetheless, when a person repents and is converted, he/she …”is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10). How forgiving and generous is our Creator and Savior!

Notice that creation includes not only the things visible but things invisible as well, including the angelic world. Colossians 1:16 proclaims that Christ created the invisible creatures and their thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. Explaining these various terms, The KJV Study Bible notes: “‘Thrones’ refer to angels who sit on thrones as rulers; ‘dominions’ refer to domains or kingdoms over which these heavenly beings reign, ‘principalities’ refer to rulers, and ‘powers’ refer to angelic monarchs who wield regal power. Since Christ created these various ranks of angels, He is supreme over them. Striking a blow at the Colossian heresy advocating angel worship (2:18), this text forbids Christians to pay homage to angels or other heavenly beings created by God” (Tecarta Bible App).

Worship of these angelic creatures was part of the multi-faceted Colossian heresy. The NKJ Study Bible explains Colossians 1:16 further: “This idea is in direct contradiction to the false teaching, later known as Gnosticism, that was developing in the Colossian church. In general, Gnostics believed that various angelic beings were the creators of the earth and that Christ was one among many of these angels” (Ibid.). 

These angelic designations are also a warning to Christians. The ESV Study Bible adds: “Paul is using the current Jewish terms for various rankings of angels (although he doesn’t explain their relative ranks). His emphasis here may be on the evil angels, since they play a significant part in this letter (Col. 2:8, 10, 15, 20). This would not mean, however, that Jesus created evil angels; all spiritual powers were created by Jesus, but some later chose to rebel against God and so to become evil” (Tecarta Bible App). 

These wicked angels no doubt rebelled with Lucifer. Here is what The Henry Morris Study Bible reports: “The pagan world, whether of the ancient Greeks or of the modern New Agers, has always believed in angels, demons or spirit beings of various types and powers, and it is vital for us to understand that such beings do exist and can wield great influence in the visible world as well as the invisible. Many have rebelled against Him, both men and angels, always justifying themselves by maintaining they are the products of some cosmic evolutionary process instead of creation by the eternal, transcendent God.” (Master Books, 2071, p. 1832).

Colossians 1:17 adds: “…by him [Christ] all things consist.” Bullinger’s Companion Bible explains that the word consist means, “cohere, or hold together” (e-Sword 12.1). The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges elaborates on this word: “I.e., literally, stand together, hold together. The Latin-English ‘consist‘ (Latin versions, constant) exactly renders the Greek. ‘He is the principle of cohesion in the Universe. He impresses upon creation that unity and solidarity which makes it a cosmos instead of a chaos’ (Lightfoot)” (Ibid.). If the Creator were not alive, our universe would come apart. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible explains this phrase in detail: “They not only subsist in their beings, but consist in their order and dependences. He not only created them all at first, but it is by the word of his power that they are still upheld, Hebrews 1:3. The whole creation is kept together by the power of the Son of God, and made to consist in its proper frame. It is preserved from disbanding and running into confusion” (Ibid.). Christ is not only the Creator but the Conserver as well. Robertson’s Word Pictures adds, “Christ is the controlling and unifying force in nature. The Gnostic philosophy that matter is evil and was created by a remote aeon is thus swept away. The Son of God’s love is the Creator and the Sustainer of the universe which is not evil” (Ibid.).

Colossians 1:16 concludes by stressing that Christ created all things for Himself! The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary edited by Joseph S. Exell states, “The most elaborate and majestic machinery of the universe and the most highly gifted intelligence alike exist only to serve the ultimate purpose of creation’s Lord. All created things gather their significance, dignity, and glory by their connection with Him…It is a narrow philosophy that teaches that all things were made for man. The grand end of all our endeavours should ever be the glory of Christ” (e-Sword 12.1). This refers to the grand scheme known as the salvation plan of God. The universe is here for a reason. All of us are potentially part of this redemption venture. Christ intends to add to the Family of God and restore His Creation. Already, Christ has given us derivative and limited creative powers that depend on His sustaining the universe. We have a choice whether to enter His eternal program or to oppose it as did Satan and the wicked angels. Christ intends to share eternity with those He has redeemed. Prepare yourself for a future of expanding creativity!

Kenneth Frank headshot

Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.

Digging Deeper: Wisdom as a Tree of Life

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Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty, Living Education

Estimated Reading Time: 7 min.

Did you know that biblical wisdom is connected to the tree of life?

No doubt, all of us are familiar with the tree of life offered to our original parents in the Book of Genesis. Did you realize that the Bible refers to the tree of life after Genesis? References to it appear in Proverbs and Revelation. However, those in Proverbs take on a slightly different concept than its appearance in Genesis. This Digging Deeper will explore one verse in Proverbs to broaden our understanding on this well-known phrase.

In Proverbs 3, God inspires a section dealing with the blessing offered to those who find wisdom. Here is the beginning verse of this section: Proverbs 3:13 KJV: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Our focus verse describes wisdom: Proverbs 3:18 KJV “She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.” Let’s explore what is the connection between the original tree of life and wisdom in this passage.

There are six different Hebrew words translated “wisdom” in the Book of Proverbs. The Hebrew word for wisdom in Proverbs 3:13 is chokmah, which occurs 141 times in the Hebrew Bible and almost always is translated “wisdom.” Stephen D. Renn’s Expository Dictionary of Bible Words provides a definition: “Wisdom refers to knowledge coupled with an inner quality that embodies a heart and life in conformity with the purposes and character of God” (Hendrickson Publishers, 2006, p. 1050). Expanding this further, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon reports that, in this context, it refers to ethical and religious wisdom and that “…its fundamental principle is to fear God Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 15:33; Job 28:18” (Bible Analyzer 5.4.1.22). The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature by McClintock and Strong further notes that it “…in a general sense, is a comprehensive knowledge of things in their proper nature and relations, together with the power of combining them in the most useful manner. Among the Hebrews, the term ‘wisdom’ comprehended a wide circle of virtues and mental endowments (Exodus 28:3; 31:6; 1 Kings 3:28; 4:29-34), and its precise import in the Scriptures can only be ascertained by a close attention to the context.” (e-Sword 12.1). One of the keys to effective Bible study is understanding the context in which a particular verse stands.

Wisdom is Solomon’s main theme in the Book of Proverbs and he returns to it often. The Expositor’s Bible, edited by W. Robertson Nicholl, in its annotation on Proverbs 3:13 explains its connection to submission to God: “Now, the supreme bliss of the heavenly wisdom is that it leads us into this detailed obedience to the law which is our life; it sets us under the immediate and unbroken control of God” (Bible Analyzer 5.4.1.22). Notice that this source upholds God’s law! Obedience to God’s law (torah) is what makes our lives meaningful and purposeful because they will be directed according to God’s will. This reference work then relates wisdom to Proverbs 3:7 KJV: “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” The fear of God is reverential awe and worship; it should even invoke terror if we disobey Him (2 Corinthians 5:11). Notice Galatians 6:7 KJV:  “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” 

Now we need to connect wisdom with the tree of life in Proverbs 3:18. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible comments on the tree of life: “This and the other references in Proverbs (11:30; 13:12; 15:4) are the only allusions in any book of the Old Testament, after Genesis, to the ‘tree’ itself, or to its spiritual significance” (e-Sword 12.1). However, the Book of Revelation returns to the image of the tree of life, connecting it more to its significance in Genesis. Barnes continues, “Wisdom is the ‘tree of life,’ giving a true immortality. The symbol entered largely into the religious imagery of Assyria, Egypt, and Persia. Philo, going a step further, found in the two trees the ideal representatives of speculative knowledge and moral wisdom; and the same image subserves a higher purpose in the promises and the visions of Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2.” (Ibid.).

The College Press Bible Study Textbook Series provides us a modern comparison for the phrase “tree of life”: “Like ‘Fountain of Youth’ in our language, so ‘Tree of Life’ in Bible days stood for something very desirable” (e-Sword 12.1). People have sought the proverbial fountain of youth for generations. The NET Bible explains the use of tree of life in Proverbs 3:18: “The metaphor compares wisdom to the symbol of vitality and fullness of life” (e-Sword 12.1). Living full lives resulting in energized vitality flow from biblical wisdom. Joseph S. Exell informs us in The Pulpit Commentary that “This expression obviously refers to ‘the tree of life’ (etshakayyim), which was placed in the midst of the garden of Eden, and conferred immortality on those who ate of its fruit. (Genesis 2:9; 3:22) So Wisdom becomes equally life giving to those who lay hold on her, who taste of her fruit. She communicates life in its manifold fulness and richness…to those who seize her firmly”  (Bible Analyzer 5.4.1.22). Wisdom becomes a “tree of life” to us when we heed it, which results in happiness, prosperity, and godliness. Exell continues, “The Authorized Version [KJV] aptly renders the original. The necessity for ‘retaining’ as well as ‘laying hold’ of Wisdom is pointed out. The verb (tamak) is ‘to hold fast something taken.’ Such will be blessed who hold Wisdom tenaciously and perseveringly” (Ibid.). 

The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary adds another vital detail: “‘Lay hold’ (machaziquim) – literally, lay hold with a tenacious grasp, not to be severed from her: from a Hebrew root ‘strong.’ Compare Proverbs 11:30; 13:12; 15:4, for similar references to ‘the tree of life.’ Wisdom brings life to her possessors, as the tree of life in Paradise would have done to our first parents, but that they forfeited it (Genesis 2:9; 3:22-24)” (e-Sword 12.1). Imagine how different life would be in our world if our original parents had obeyed God in that original test. The College Press Bible Study Textbook Series continues this admonition: “Our verse points out the importance both of laying hold upon (obtaining) wisdom and then of retaining it. Unfortunately, many never obtain it, and sadly some who have had it have not retained it later. So, we should work to possess it, and we should be careful not to let it get away from us” (Ibid.).

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible connects biblical wisdom to true religion: “The blessings which wisdom – true religion – gives to men, preserve them in life, comfort them through life, cause them to triumph in death, and ensure them a glorious immortality” (e-Sword 12.1). Isn’t this what all of us want? God has not hidden this truth from us. The Seventh-day Adventist Commentary, Vol 3 takes us back to the beginning: “Because our first parents rejected wisdom as a guide and followed Satan, none of us has been privileged to taste of the tree of life. Divine wisdom will lead us into a way of life that will have much the same result. It will give us a fuller and longer life in this world, and gain for us access to the tree of life itself in the world to come (Revelation 22:14).” (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976, p. 957). However, there are necessary steps along the way: repentance and faith. Exell’s The Pulpit Commentary in its comment on Proverbs 3:18 adds this connection of the tree of life to the tree on which Jesus died to provide our atonement, redemption, and salvation (1 Peter 2:24) : “Old ecclesiastical writers saw in the expression a reference to Christ’s redeeming work. ‘The tree of life is the cross of Christ…’ (quoted by Delitzsch)” (Bible Analyzer 5.4.1.22). Only through Christ, who is our Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30) shall we finally have access to the ultimate “tree of life” (Revelation 2:7). 

Kenneth Frank headshot

Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.