20150506 Wednesday, May 6 2015
Proverbs 09: Why Was Jesus A Carpenter?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God"

The Messiah was and is truly the Lamb of God (see Nisan 14: The Day That The Messiah Was Crucified). As such, many wonder why He was a carpenter (i.e. a builder), rather than a shepherd, as was King David - one of the Messiah's key ancestors (see David's View From The Cross and What Did King David Really Say About Zion?).

The logic of the question is sound, but the answer is found in the understanding and awareness that the Messianic promise was originally given to Abraham (see Before Abraham Was, I AM), not Abraham's descendant David.

"22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." (Genesis 22:16-18 KJV)

As further explained, the Messianic promise was made first, and foremost, to Abraham (see also The LORD God Our Saviour).

"3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." (Galatians 3:14-16 KJV)

So what was it then that Abraham looked forward to receive from his descendant Who would be the Messiah? What did Abraham view the coming Messiah to be? A builder.

"11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:9-10 KJV)

The same promise was made to all of the LORD's people. It's what salvation is all about (see Strait And Straight).

While it is today defined as a large and expensive home, the English word mansion was derived from a Latin word, mansum, that actually means to dwell. Mansion is found once in the King James Version of the Bible to translate the original Greek word, pronounced moh-nay, that means to stay, or to reside. The Greek word is itself found only twice in the Holy Scriptures, both in the book of John; the King James Version translates it once as mansions, once as abode.

As understood by Abraham (verses quoted above), the Messiah is the "builder" of the place where His "sheep" will have their eternal home.

"14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:2-3 KJV)

"14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." (John 14:23-24 KJV)

The only Biblical mention of the famous "pearly gates" is when they will be on Earth (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach?).

"21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:2-5 KJV)

"21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:211-27 KJV)

The Holy Spirit is the power of true wisdom by which all that is good is built and maintained. Many of the Proverbs portray the result of going the wrong way - tearing down, rather than building up (see Words To Get Ahead).

"9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 9:2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 9:3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 9:4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 9:5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 9:12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 9:14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 9:15 To call passengers who go right on their ways: 9:16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 9:17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 9:18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell." (Proverbs 9:1-18 KJV)

Fact Finder: What are the actual Biblical words for "carpenter"?
See Who Was The Carpenter That Built The Cross?