Proverbs 8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. And My delights were with the sons of men.— Christ's delight in the sons of men: — 1. "Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth."(1) "The habitable parts of His earth" are such places where the gospel comes, bringing the good tidings of Jesus Christ and His salvation for lost sinners. (2) "The habitable part of His earth" is especially intended of such as are, through grace, become "the habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22; Ephesians 3:17; John 4:13). The Lord Jesus Christ rejoiced in this habitable part of this earth from everlasting, before there was an earth to be inhabited. 2. The delights of Jesus Christ, from all eternity, were "with the sons of men."(1) He knew that by standing as a Surety for His people, and bearing their guilt and punishment, He should also bear away their sins. (2) He knew that in saving His people, through His obedience in life and death, all the Divine perfections would be more remarkably displayed and glorified than in all the other works of God. (3) His delight proceeded from the pleasing prospect that He had of men being united to Himself by faith. (4) He delighted in the prospect of conveying the riches of grace to their souls. (5) He delighted in the prospect of their sincere services done in faith and love. (6) He delighted in the prospect of His acting towards them, as the Prophet of His Church, to teach them the mind and will of God for their salvation. (7) He delighted in the prospect that He had from everlasting, of His people being all brought home to glory, to be for ever with Him. The greatest honour that Jesus Christ can do to men upon earth is to delight in them. "Such honour have all His saints" (Isaiah 62:4). This implies — 1. His interest in them. 2. His continual remembrance of them. 3. His readiness to bestow His best favours upon them. Did Jesus Christ delight in His people from everlasting; then all the disciples of Christ should delight in Him (1 Peter 2:7; Song of Solomon 5:10). (W. Notcutt.) Parallel Verses KJV: Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.WEB: Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men. |
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