Proverbs

Wisdom Literature • The attempt to cope with reality as

it presents itself in real life (i.e. contradictions!)

• Prov. 26:4 – Answer not a fool according to his folly,

lest you be like him yourself.• Prov. 26:5

– Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Wisdom Literature • The transmission of this knowledge

to future generations• Relational• International phenomenon

Wisdom Literature • Wisdom Worldview:

– God created the world with a basic order.

– Life has a basic propriety.– Basically optimistic. – This worldview is also basically

humanistic.– Wisdom vs. Prophetic/Deuteronomic

worldview

Wisdom and Deuteronomic Worldview

Law, Moses, Covenant

Patriarchs, David, prophets

Proverbs, Job,

Ecclesiastes

Wisdom of ben Sirach180-130 B.C.

Themes of OT Wisdom Literature • Moderation & Restraint• Family Life• Wisdom and Folly• Fear of the Lord

Proverbs--Outline• 1:1-7—Introduction• 1:8-9:18—Instructions on Wisdom• 10:1-22:16—1st Solomonic Collection• 22:17-24:22—”Sayings of the Wise”

– =Sayings of Amenemope?• 24:23-34—More Sayings of the Wise• 25:1-29:27—2nd Solomonic Collection• 30:1-33—Sayings of Agur (& others)• 31:1-9—Sayings of Lemuel• 31:10-31—The Excellent Wife

Proverbs• What is a proverb?

Proverbs• What is a proverb?

– “It is some kind of a saying. It is usually short, and it is meant to make you think and reflect. The proverb is supposed to teach you something, share something of wisdom” (Clemson Community Church, Clemson, SC).

Proverbs• What is a proverb?

– A proverb is a proverb, not a law—CP.– “Train up a child in the way he should

go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).

Proverbs 1:1-7

• The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel (Pro 1:1 ESV)

• “Proverbs of Solomon”– =Law of Moses & Psalms of David?

Proverbs 1:2-6• To know wisdom and instruction, to understand

words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. (ESV)

• Teaching of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:2-6• To know wisdom and instruction, to understand

words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. (ESV)

• Teaching of Wisdom• Living moral lives

Proverbs 1:6• To understand a proverb and a saying, the

words of the wise and their riddles. (ESV)

• mashal (ש;:ל proverb, parable, teaching = ( מ23

• melitsah (ה 6מ@ל?י צ3 ) = satire, sarcastic saying, mocking (often in a bad way)

• chidah (ח?יד:ה ) = riddle, question, enigmatic saying

Proverbs 1:7• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of

knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (ESV)

• Proper attitude of reverence, fear, awe of God—recognize his role!

• Fools—the opposite of the wise.• Wisdom is the goal, instruction is the method.

Proverbs 8:1-36

• “Lady Wisdom”– Contrasted with . . . – “Adulterous,” “Loose woman”

• 8:10-12—Choose her above all things• 8:20—Hers is the way of justice &

righteousness• 8:22-31—She is the 1st creation

– Compare Colossians 1:15?

Poverty & Wealth

• 10:4—Diligence & hard work produce wealth!– Is this true?

• 19:1, 19:22, 21:6, 22:1, 28:6– Can one be poor & righteous?– Life is not fair!!!– Do what is right. – John Wesley—Earn, Save, Give