Discovering God's Wisdom Through His Word
How do the fulfillment of God's plan and the books of the New Testament illustrate God's wisdom?
The Bible is a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance by divine revelation. In this article, we explore an overview of the Bible and the profound wisdom of God as seen in the fulfillment of God’s plan and the New Testament. Being God’s wisdom revealed to mankind we in turn are made wise when we see God’s wisdom and act (cf. Psalm 19:7). Journey with me through the scriptures to uncover the profound message of God's wisdom.
The Fulfillment of God's Plan
Jesus revealed the essence of the Old Testament when He said, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me” (Luke 24:44). This statement underscores the intricate connection between the Old and New Testaments.
The Law of Moses, given to the Israelites at Horeb (Deuteronomy 5:2), remained in force until the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Galatians 3:21-25). Christ, in His perfect fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17-18), nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14; Ephesians 2:14) and inaugurated the New Covenant on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2; Hebrews 8-9). The Prophets served as God's mouthpieces on earth, reminding people of their obligation to fulfill His divine will. Even the Psalms contained wisdom and admonitions that applied under the Old Covenant.
Today, God's will comes to us through a new avenue: "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2). All truth has been written in the New Covenant (cf. John 16:12-13; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) and points us to God’s great wisdom!
The New Testament's Four Sections
The New Testament is divided into four major sections: Biographical, Historical, Epistolary, and Prophetic. Let's explore each of these sections and their unique purposes.
1. Biographical Section
The biographical section includes four accounts of the Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Matthew was primarily written for Jewish people, containing numerous Old Testament references and conclusions drawn from them. Mark, on the other hand, was written for non-Jews, particularly the Romans. Luke's Gospel was intended for Greek-speaking audiences, and this is evident in the original language. Finally, John's Gospel serves as a supplement to the others, reaching out to people of all backgrounds.
2. Historical Section
The historical section consists of the book of Acts, which provides a detailed account of the early church's growth and the spread of the Gospel message through the Roman Empire.
3. Epistolary Section
The Epistolary section comprises the letters or epistles from Romans to Jude. These letters address various theological and practical issues faced by early Christians.
4. Prophetic Section
The Prophetic section is the book of Revelation, which offers visions and prophecies about the persecution the early church was facing under Domitian and the ultimate victory of Christ.
God's Wisdom Revealed
The wisdom of God is beautifully manifested in the progression of the Gospel message. Acts 2 illustrates how the Jews received the Gospel, aligning with the themes in the first book of the New Testament, Matthew. The Gospel then reached the Romans through Peter's teaching to Cornelius and his household (Acts 10), echoing the themes in Mark's Gospel. Thirdly, the Gospel was embraced by the Greeks (Acts 11), in harmony with the themes found in Luke's Gospel. Lastly, John's Gospel serves as a universal supplement, intended for people of all backgrounds to come to faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The apostle Paul wrote that the Gospel was once a mystery i.e., previously not fully known, but was revealed to him. Paul stated that when people read his writings they could understand his knowledge in the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-6). Now, when one studies the word of God and sees the Church they can see the multifaceted wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:7-11).
In Conclusion
The Bible is a divine masterpiece that guides us in understanding God's wisdom and His plan for salvation. Through its pages, we witness the fulfillment of God's promises and the unfolding of His redemptive work. May we all marvel at the wisdom of Almighty God as we explore the Bible's depths and embrace the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who offers us eternal life through faith in His name. Truly, God's work is awe-inspiring!
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