The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / THE PEARL OF GREAT VALUE

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 177 of 365 THE PEARL OF GREAT VALUE In this poem about the supreme value of wisdom, Solomon personified wisdom as a woman, telling his readers to seek her above everything else. In the fullness of time, the New Testament revealed that this personification pointed to a real person - Jesus of Nazareth - who should be pursued and treasured above all else (1Co 1:24, 30). Wisdom's profits are better than silver, gold or jewels, so people should seek Jesus at any cost. No other object of desire compares with him. Jesus - like the kingdom of God, the pearl of great value, the treasure hidden in a field (Mt 13:44 - 46) - is worth selling everything in order to acquire. When people seek Jesus - the wisdom of God - above all else, other things will be added (Pr 3:16 - 18; Mt 6:33). Solomon knew the value of wisdom from God. In 1 Kings 3, God told Solomon he would grant whatever Solomon asked for. Solomon could have asked for riches, long life, victory over his enemies or the most glorious empire any king has ever ruled, but instead he asked for wisdom above all else. So God gave him supreme wisdom, and God added to it long life, wealth and great honor. Jesus is worth more than anything anyone could ever desire, and to those who seek him first he adds  Proverbs 3:13-18 NASB 13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, Matthew 13:44-46 NASB 44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. A Costly Pearl 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,  46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.