When I was growing up, my parents often used the book of Proverbs as devotional material for our family Bible reading. Conveniently, we used the day of the month to choose the corresponding chapter and we’d each read a verse, going round and round in a circle in our living room at 7 a.m. with just enough time to read and pray before grabbing backpacks and lunches and heading to school. I have clear memories of my little sister learning to read and cutting her literary teeth on words like wisdom, folly, and heed. I can understand why my parents chose Proverbs so often. It’s chock-full of wise sayings that every child, teenager, and adult would do well to absorb.
I’ve not returned to Proverbs since those young years. Call it a perceived over-exposure to the book of wisdom (though I’m not sure can there be such a thing), but this year I finally made my way back to Proverbs in my daily Bible reading and study, and to be honest, I’ve been surprised by its contents as I’ve read it with an adult lens. It’s chock-full of wisdom, certainly. But it’s also chock-full of Jesus. And that has surprised me.
When I began studying Proverbs a few months ago, I wondered if I’d struggle to make gospel connections. I always ask questions about Christ and the gospel no matter what text I’m reading, but I was certain it would be tough in Proverbs. A book of pithy, wise sayings? Where is the gospel story? Proverbs doesn’t even mention Jesus. Or a Savior, to my knowledge. There’s no prophecy about a coming King like we find in many of the Old Testament books. But He’s there. Jesus is there in Proverbs, and I am unendingly aware of my need of Him as I read the numerous comparisons between the wise and the foolish.
I met with my Bible study group the other day to discuss chapter 12, and after they left, I sat down at my piano and played through some hymns with my hands while my mind grappled with the truths of Proverbs we had just finished discussing. It’s a weird way to process, but it helps. So much emphasis on wisdom being found in righteous living and vice versa. It’s no secret what God demands of and desires for us: righteousness. And (look no further than Proverbs or your own heart to see it), we are unbelievably incapable of righteousness. We can’t attain it, produce it, cultivate it, acquire it. Not on our own.
I turned this over in my mind while my fingers automatically tapped out the melody to “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus.” My husband bought me this Kawai baby grand six years ago, and its tone grows warmer with age. I pressed the keys without thinking much about the chords. The words, though—
What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Muscle memory. I used to sit and play this song with my kids when they were small. I played an old Wurlitzer back then. The soundboard was a tragedy, but it was all I had. My kids would climb on the rickety bench, wrap their arms around my neck while I played, and belt out words they didn’t quite understand. True words, though.
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
My fingers worked the keys while my mind worked the truths. So much demand for righteousness in Proverbs. And the benefits! Righteousness delivers, protects, saves, upholds. Righteousness is what brings God’s favor. But where do we get it?
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
God demands something we can’t give. But He also supplies it.
Nothing can for sin atone:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Naught of good that I have done:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is the beauty of the gospel. God supplies what He demands. Our Judge is also our Redeemer.* Nothing we do can reach the standard of holiness God demands. So, He provided it for us through His Son who lived perfectly, died sacrificially, rose victoriously, and shares His righteousness with all who believe in Him for salvation. Jesus is our righteousness. He is our favor with God. He is the way that we hold fast, stand firm, live wisely. Belief in Jesus is the beginning of wisdom, following Him is the working out of wisdom, faithfulness to Him is the evidence of wisdom. Righteousness and wisdom are intertwined. And found in Christ.
This is all my hope and peace:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my righteousness:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
My fingers took a turn on the keys:
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.
Righteousness has come. And traded places with us. We who were dead in our sins, who could never hope to achieve any kind of righteousness have been made righteous through faith in Jesus, the Holy One. This is what God has done for us, and it is in every way joy to the world.
This is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Let every heart prepare Him room.
Back and forth, I moved between the melodies as the truths of the lyrics complemented each other. The Lord has come. He’s come to live like we couldn’t. He’s come to pay what we couldn’t. He’s come to right what we wronged. He’s come to redeem what we lost. He’s come to reverse the curse. To make His blessings flow—as far as the curse is found. That’s far, my friend. Far. It spreads to every corner of the earth as His gospel message goes out. It spreads to every darkened corner of your heart where you are afraid to shine a light. The curse of sin is broken by the power of the cross and the resurrection. That’s a far-reaching blessing.
Proverbs 12:28 states: “In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” No death? That can only be true in Christ. We’ll all die, but in Christ we shall live again—and forever. Because life is found, discovered, given to those who believe Jesus’s powerful blood to cover their unrighteousness.
I want wisdom. I want righteousness. In Christ, God has given us both. God gives what He demands. Joy to the world indeed.
I want wisdom. I want righteousness. In Christ, God has given us both. God gives what He demands. Joy to the world indeed. Share on X*This phrase comes from a song my husband, William, wrote several years ago titled “My Judge is My Redeemer.”
Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash
Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and lives in rural Southeast Missouri where she tries and fails to keep up with her two energetic sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence (P&R) and Everyday Faithfulness (Crossway), and Memorizing Scripture (Moody). Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.