Wisdom Literature

Wisdom
-The ability to make godly choices in life. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Abuse of Wisdom Literaure
1. Taken out of context: Eccl. 3:2 A time to be born and a time to die
---a)Does it mean that God has set out the length of our life?
---b)Or does it say life is full of futility?
2. People misunderstand wisdom terms
---a) Prov. 14:7 Stay away from a foolish man…
-------1)What does foolish mean? Unintelligent? Lacking in common sense? Self-indulgent and self-centered?
3. Don’t follow the argument
----a)Job 15:20 How is this to be understood?


Who is Wise?
Thinking and acting according to the truth
Not brains; Being rightly oriented to God
Not knowledge; application
Responsible, successful living

The place of wisdom in ancient Israel

Teachers of Wisdom-wise men

Wisdom in the home-Proverbs—doing God’s will is ultimate wisdom

Wisdom among colleagues-literature-Ecclesiastes & Job

Wisdom through Poetry-more memorable

The Limits of Wisdom-not theological; must be applied


Ecclesiastes: Cynical Wisdom

1:2; 1:14; 2:15;
3:19; 5:16; 8:14;
9:9-10; 11:8

Compare to Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Most of the book is what life would be like
--if God were not involved in the world and
--if there were no life after death.

Don’t live life without God—it is meaningless


Wisdom in Job

A structured dialogue
Again, wrong views are argued
Ecclesiastes “God is involved in the world”
Job “God is not directly involved in every event” Suffering is not just punishment for sin.
Job is urged to repent by his “comforters”, but he’s done nothing wrong.
God’s ways are above our ways.


Wisdom in Proverbs

What are some modern day proverbs?
What are some that seem to contradict each other?
Haste makes waste; He who hesitates is lost.
Two heads are better than one; too many cooks spoil the broth.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder; Out of sight, out of mind.
It’s better to be safe than sorry; Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
What is the purpose of the proverb?

Prudential wisdom—practical attitudes
Choose wisdom and not folly.

Folly:
violence, careless pledging, laziness, malicious dishonesty, sexual impurity

Wisdom:
fear of the Lord, discipline, prudence, caring for the poor, respect for leaders, disciplining children, moderation with alcohol

Proverbs 3:7-8 Shun evil and you will be healthy
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

Not meant to be detailed or comprehensive—these are proverbs, not promises

Hermeneutical Guidelines for Proverbs

1. Not legal guarantees from God
Prov. 15:25 Proud man’s house vs. the widow’s boundary line

2. Must be read as a collection. (15:25 above and 23:10-11).
15:22 and 16:3 Success
15:27 and 17:8, 17:23, 21:14, 29:4 Bribes
Materialism; obedience to father

3. Proverbs are memorable, not precise.
Proverbs 15: 19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
Proverbs 31 A wife of noble character—a diligent business woman

4. Translation required: king’s friend, corner of a roof

Hermeneutical Guidelines--Summary
1. Parabolic, figurative
2. Practical, not theological
3. Memorable, not precise
4. Not supportive of selfishness
5. Translation may be needed
6. Not guarantees, but poetic guidelines
7. Literary techniques—specific, exaggeration
8. Good advice, but not exhaustive
9. Not for a materialistic lifestyle;practical advice for daily living

What are the benefits of studying the Proverbs?


Song of Songs

Interpretations:
1. Allegory-God & Israel, Christ & the Church
--there is no actual historical event
2. Typology-Solomon takes a Gentile Bride
--This event is taken as an actual event, an actual marriage of Solomon and is likened to the relationship between Christ and the church
3. Drama-a maiden prefers a shepherd
4. Natural-a depiction of romantic love

Why is it not an allegory? See Hosea 2:11-23
1. Not part of a prophetic book
2. Not obviously allegorical
3. No references to Israel’s history
4. No national symbolism

Purpose:
It shows us how beautiful and pure love is within the boundaries God set for it. (Carr, The Song of Solomon, Tyndale OT Commentaries pp 35-36)

In brief,
1. Monogamous heterosexual marriage is what is expected.
2. What is referred to is love in marriage.
3. Song of Songs is suggesting godly choices rather than a set of rules.
4. There is often a suggestion of technique these days when it comes to sex. Valuing the other person and romantic love in marriage is more the focus in Song of Songs.--Stuart, How to Read the Bible…