INTRODUCING..... PROVERBSThe Pilgrim’s Guide to the Bible No. 33

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight; 

for receiving instruction in prudent behaviour, 

doing what is right and just and fair; 

for giving prudence to those who are simple, 

knowledge and discretion to the young -

let the wise listen and add to their learning, 

and let the discerning get guidance -

for understanding proverbs and parables, 

 the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, 

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

                                                (Proverbs 1: 1 – 7)

At first reading, we may well wonder why the book of Proverbs is in the Bible. It appears to consist of a series of unrelated ‘wise’ sayings, offering sage advice on how to live one’s life, which could easily be described as no more than common sense – a kind of biblical version of Aesop’s Fables, (or even the Reader’s Digest ‘Life’s Like That’ page). There seems to be little connection between this book and the wider story of God’s dealings with His people. How does this book fit into the covenant relationship between God and man, which is at the heart of the Christian gospel?

Many well-known proverbs are based upon the Book of Proverbs. For example:

Spare the rod and spoil the child. (13:24)

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. (13:12)

Pride goes before a fall. (16:18)

It is fair to say that the whole of human life can be found in Proverbs. At its heart is the figure of wisdom.

The Book of Proverbs is attributed to Solomon, and whilst he wrote many of the actual sayings, it is likely that he also collated and edited other people’s work as well. The book may have reached its final form during the reign of King Hezekiah. Solomon asked God for the gift of wisdom at the beginning of his reign, and here we have a book that complements other parts of the Bible. It stands in the long tradition of the Wisdom literature in the Old Testament, which complements the writings of the Law and the Prophets. The priests imparted the Law; the prophets delivered the divine message of God; sages and elders compiled the wisdom of God to address specific problems and situations. The Book of Proverbs should not be read in the same way as the books of Law or of the Prophets. The Law is the hard and fast ‘command of the Lord’. It is prescriptive and legal. Prophecy is God speaking.  Prophecy is the ‘Word of the Lord’ speaking through the prophet. It is addressed to kings and people in a direct and personal way – warnings, encouragements, and exhortations. Wisdom is different in approach from both the law and the prophets. It offers general principles and guidance for living. The style of Proverbs can be likened to a friendly arm on the shoulder, a close colleague offering sensible advice for living. The Proverbs are written by people with experience of life, who have some wisdom to share. The much-repeated phrase “my son” (27 times), suggests that the wisdom of the elder generation is being passed down to a younger generation. A proverb is a salutary word or message that is given in response to a particular situation, but which contains a timeless truth that can be applied more generally.

So what are the main themes in the Book of Proverbs?

God and Man.

The starting point for Proverbs is our relationship with God: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’, and the book clearly pre-supposes the reality of God, and the overwhelming importance of a relationship with Him. There is also an awareness of the reality of sin and its destructive capabilities:

 ‘Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?’ (20:9). 

Sin must be repented of and dealt with, if we are to maintain this relationship.

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. (28: 13 – 14)

The fear of the Lord is more than just a healthy respect for Him. It involves knowledge of Him, as well as straightforward obedience and trust. This wholesome relationship with God leads to a well-organised and integrated life:

Where there is no revelation (vision), people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. (29:18)

It is a right relationship with God that leads to a wholeness of life – the ability to be at peace, with oneself, one’s surroundings and with God Himself.

Wisdom

Wisdom makes its appearance throughout the book. In chapters 8 and 9, wisdom is personified as a wonderful woman:

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? (8:1)

The reader is urged to follow in the ways of wisdom, which comes in various guises:

·             Instruction, or training: we are challenged to accept God’s discipline, even when this means correction, and to be willing to mould our characters according to His teaching.

·             Understanding, or insight: the wise person will discern between good and evil.

·             Wise dealing: this has to do with common sense – the wise handling of relationships; astute awareness of how to live one’s life.

·             Shrewdness: which has to do with sensible planning, and being realistic in one’s approach to life.

·             Knowledge and learning: keeping an informed mind, knowing the truth.

 We gain wisdom through direct revelation from God:

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (2:6),

Wisdom also comes through obedient discipleship:

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding - indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God (2:1-5).

Folly

Folly is more than simply the opposite of wisdom. It speaks of a man who is enticed away from God by smooth talk and tempting offers. It is to do with naivety, and irresponsibility. A fool is someone whose mind is closed to God and to reason.

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. (1:32).

Work and Laziness

Here is a stern warning against laziness:

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. (6:9-11)

The consequences of sloth are helplessness and uselessness. The sluggard is roundly condemned for his lazy ways. Work is a part of our calling in life – an aspect of God’s original creation ordinance. Hard work is commended; laziness is condemned.

An unploughed field produces food for the poor (13:23).

Generosity and Faithful Friendship

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (18:24).

Proverbs is keen to express the benefits of good friendship. True friends offer advice and counsel, and are able to exercise great tact. Generosity is highly commended, and friendship is valued. A demonstration of kindness is an implicit part of being human. We know how easily we get hurt through broken relationships, but a right relationship with God can transform people from being naturally selfish into supernaturally generous people.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (17:17)

Words

We are warned about the misuse of words. There is power in words. We need to be careful how we use them.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (18:21).

But words, in themselves, are insufficient. They must be backed up by actions.

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (14:23)

Proverbs urges us to be honest, calm and apt in our choice of words.

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil (15:28).

Marriage, Parents and Family

 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.(4:1-4)

Family relationships are also endorsed: husbands and wives, parents and children, brotherly love. Family loyalties are stressed. Proverbs commends a good wife. Relationships between children and parents are important. We should be prepared to accept fatherly advice, and to speak the truth.

The book ends with an extended passage extolling the virtues of a good wife (31:10-31). In fact, because of this, it appears to end abruptly, without a proper conclusion. Undoubtedly, the author is extolling the virtues of good domestic relationships – the family is the basic building block of well-ordered human society, but this ‘wife of noble character’ can also be interpreted as a personification of wisdom. A well-organised household, run by wisdom, will result in a well-ordered and contented life.

So what is Proverbs all about?

The underlying message of Proverbs is timeless. Although it does not directly add to our understanding of God, or the nature of our faith, indirectly it offers us useful advice and guidelines which help us to build our lives, and our faith, on a secure foundation. The theme of wisdom is picked up in the New Testament. In Luke chapter 1, John the Baptist came ‘to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ (Luke 1:17). Jesus himself was ‘filled with wisdom’, (Luke 2:52).

St Paul also writes about the wisdom of God – seen supremely in the cross, where he contrasts the folly of the world with the wisdom of God.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (1 Cor 1:18, 20-21)

The New Testament letter of James has similarities in style to Proverbs, and picks up the theme of the benefits of wisdom which are contrasted with the folly of evil. In particular, James picks up on the importance of the right use of the tongue.

And finally, wisdom in Christian living is an important barometer of how important our faith is to us. It reminds us that it is not enough simply to say the right words, or to go through the routine motions. Faith that is genuine will be applied to our hearts and daily lives in the practical outworking of our faith, and affect the way that we live. For the early Christians, wisdom was a quality that expressed the ultimate recognition of God at work in their lives. Many of the lessons that we learn from Proverbs can be seen in the life of the early Christians, who learned the important lessons of living as a loving community, sharing their resources, respecting other people, and working for the common good. A direct consequence of this ‘holy wisdom’ can be seen in the life of the early church:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

So important was this wisdom that ‘Holy Wisdom’ was used as a phrase to portray how God was present amongst His people. Churches were dedicated to Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) and the great Cathedral at the heart of the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople, was built, and stands to this day as a visible sign of God’s Wisdom in the world.

Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:

 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings” (1:20-23).