The whole Bible points to Jesus. Sometimes this is referred to as the red thread. The red thread is any passage or verse or story, especially in the Old Testament, that gives a hint of Jesus.

Finding the red thread looks different for different parts of the Bible.

The prophetic books are probably the easiest to find a red thread because there are direct prophesies about Jesus coming. Like this famous verse:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government will be on his shoulders and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

In the narrative books of the Bible, the history books, the ones that are story form, we see the red thread whenever we see a hint of Jesus.

For example, the Passover lamb in Exodus 12. The blood of the lamb is painted over the doorway and because there was already a death, the angel of death could pass over the house. The lamb died in the firstborn’s place just like Jesus died for me, so I don’t need to die.

So what about Proverbs? Where is Jesus in the book of Proverbs?

Proverbs is not a prophecy book, so there is no direct prophesy that says he is coming. It’s not a narrative book so we can’t point to a story that foreshadows His coming.

In the book of Proverbs we are going to see passages that remind us of Jesus, not passages that speak of Him outright.

This makes sense since Proverbs is poetry. The emphasis is on the picture that is painted by the words. Reading Proverbs is like a visit to an art museum. To plumb the depths, we must pause and ponder before each work of art. It’s in these reflective moments we will be reminded of Jesus.

These three parts are the ones I hear most often remind readers about Jesus:

#1 Proverbs 18:24, A friend who sticks closer than a brother.

When I teach children at church, and the lesson is about Jesus being our friend, this is often the memory verse for the week.

Jesus is indeed a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Although that is not the original meaning of this verse (the verse is a call to be discerning in choosing our friends), this verse often reminds people that Jesus described His followers as His friends (John 15:14-15) and He promised to stick close and never leave us or forsake us (Matthew 28:20).

#2 Proverbs 8:10-11 More precious than silver

Does this verse remind you of a song?

Lord, You are, more precious than silver,

Lord, You are more costly than gold,

Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds,

And nothing I desire compares with you.

Although Proverbs 8 is about Lady Wisdom, the writer of this song was inspired by a few stolen french fries to relate the wording of this particular passage to the preciousness of Jesus. You can read her story here.

#3 Proverbs 8:22-24, Wisdom Existed Before Creation

Does anything in this passage remind you of Jesus?

The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,
    before his deeds of old;
I was formed long ages ago,
    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
²When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
    when there were no springs overflowing with water;

Proverbs 8:22-24

Proverbs 8 is Lady Wisdom talking. Some say that Lady wisdom IS Jesus because of John 1 when Jesus is described participating in creation. However, Lady Wisdom was born. She has a beginning. The Son has no beginning. He is eternal because He is God. So Lady Wisdom cannot be equivalent to Jesus.

However, Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of wisdom. His earthly life was marked by wisdom and He is the giver of wisdom. You can find out more about how wisdom and Jesus tie together here in this article.

What about you? What parts of Proverbs remind you of Jesus? Comment below.