The Gospel Found in Proverbs

Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD. – Proverbs 16.6 (CSB)

Is it me or is this the gospel in a nutshell? Here Solomon is sharing a proverb about what he has learned over the years through the lens of a gracious gift of divine wisdom from the Lord. And I don’t know that I have the ability to even try to read this verse without seeing Jesus in it.

Iniquity – my sin. As God’s word says: all have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3.23). Sin is the central issue of every form of brokenness and rebellion that we find in the world today. Regardless of the place, people, culture, economic situation, gender, ethnicity… sin is the the problem. But even though that is the universal problem for our world, there is a remedy. Sin can be atoned for. The fact that sin can even be atoned for is a gracious gift given to us by God.

Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness. Yes, this points to Jesus. Jesus remained loyal and faithful to the will of of the Father even after crying out to him in the garden with terror and anxiety, Jesus declared to the Father: “Not my will but your will be done” (see Luke 22.42; Matthew 26.42, paraphrased). He was terrified of everything that was coming, but his heart’s desire was made clear in the garden. Jesus said, while praying in agony before his arrest: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they will see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the world’s foundation” (John 17.24, CSB). Jesus wanted us. And there was nothing that could stop him from making sure that he redeemed us. He was faithful and loyal to the very end, and that end includes his resurrection and his constant presence with us, through the Holy Spirit, until he finishes his work in us (Philippians 1.6) and we see him in the fullness of his glory.

And one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD. I believe one word sums this statement up. Repentance. Jesus ransomed sinners because God so loved the world (John 3.16). Christ in “loyal love” (Sid Buzzel defines “loyalty” [ḥě·sěḏ] as “loyal love”) and faithfulness (ʾěměṯ – firmness, trustworthiness; constancy, certainty) paid the ransom by his precious blood (see 1 Peter 1.19). Our response? Repent. Turn from our sin and turn toward Jesus. Declare Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10.9); counting the cost of Christ’s invitation to follow him and saying yes; receiving his gift of salvation as we commit to follow him. Jesus redeemed us while we were still sinners and dead in our sin (see Romans 5.8 and Ephesians 2.1). He rescued us by grace through faith, and that faith being the gift of God so that we could believe in Jesus (Ephesians 2.8). We repent from sin and turn to Jesus. What an incredible and mind-blowing invitation that is.

“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.”