“Of the present moment, and of it only, humans have an experience which our Enemy has of reality as a whole; in it alone freedom and actuality are offered them. … It is far better to make them live in the Future. … thought about the Future inflames hope and fear. Also, it is unknown to them, so that in making them think about it we make them think of unrealities.”

The Screwtape Letters (Letter 15) by C. S. Lewis

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

[Proverbs 31:25]

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This sermon was preached on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at Concord Baptist Church of Chattanooga, TN

concord-baptist.org

Leviticus 14:33-57 | Matthew 8:1-4

I have been reading the Pentateuch, the Five Books of Moses, recently as an exercise in looking at the Bible's overview rather than focusing on its details. In this exercise, I have come to realize that the gospel of salvation is present in repeated ways that I honestly did not notice before, especially in the third book of the Law, the book of Leviticus … Λευιτικόν … “pertaining to the Levites … The Greek term was adopted into Latin as Liber Leviticus (The Book of Leviticus).

I read the book of Leviticus in a day on purpose. I wanted to avoid the pitfall of losing the big picture for stumbling over the finer details of God’s covenant with Israel. It is organized in our modern Bibles with only 27 chapters, about 43 pages total, and a repeated idea stood out to me: 

“The priest will make atonement, and he, she, or it shall be made clean.” 

I find this theme of purification and atonement fascinatingly beautiful.

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The Wisdom of Solomon's Proverbs repeats a common theme between the righteous who embrace Godly wisdom and the foolish who act rashly. This passage compares the 'simple' with the 'prudent' and the cause and effect of each perspective. The simple will inherit folly for lack of thoughtful discernment. The prudent will be rewarded with the crown of knowledge for insightful caution in ordering steps to the highest end of Christ's redemption and glory.

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The appeal from wisdom personified is the ultimate sanction of life and death. The voice of wisdom is a promise of the Savior. Likewise, the Wisdom of God is that which is blessed. Listening to important words of wisdom is imperative to the blessed life of righteousness.

The love of Wisdom brings life. The hate of Wisdom brings death. In light of this reality, would Wisdom, which is more precious than rubies, make the list of the 10 most important things in your world?

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Wisdom is that which God possessed and established before the beginning of the world. It was "the first of his acts of old." If Christ and God the Father are one, then as God the Father always was and is, likewise so is Christ. The first chapter of Hebrews reminds us of that fact. All that exists is for him and by him. Wisdom, therefore, is that which always was and is and comes directly through Christ.

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The wisdom of Solomon now points to how Wisdom dwells with the Righteous of God. Just as Christ dwells with the elect, so does wisdom dwell with the righteous. This indwelt wisdom shapes the character (or essence) of the child of God granting the power to make wise choices. The Spirit of Christ dwells in the body (being) of the righteous. Therefore, the righteous in Christ live a life of prudence as Christ (and wisdom) dwells within us.

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The Wisdom of God cries loudly to be heard over the noise of secular worldviews and busyness. The words of Solomon reflect the voice of Christ as he speaks noble things that all inwardly desire.

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The book of Proverbs tells us that wisdom is honey for the soul. TA common theme throughout the Old Testament Prophets connects the speaking of God's Word to the consuption of God's Word as one consumes honey. Wisdom, God's wisdom, is like honey for the soul. As honey nourishes the body, God's wisdom nourishes the soul. In order to benefit from the honey, one must first digest the honey. Digesting God's word into our souls results in speech which is rich and fourishing for God's glory. "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good." Ps. 34:8

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The Wisdom of Solomon in the Proverbs speaks more to the salvation in the Messiah that merely life lessons to follow. While living life or moral righteousness does produce a prosperous life, wisdom is clearly a gift of God. Just as Christ is God's gift of salvation, wisdom which leads to the righteous path is one's salvation from the path of evil.

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