The unit for March 2021 is “Proverbs,” and the theme is “Pillars of Wisdom.” Our lesson writer, Dr. Mark Scott, shares, “The current world does not lack for information, but wisdom is in short supply. In Proverbs, Solomon (and others) shore up what is lacking in a moronic world. Students will learn the genesis of God’s wisdom, how it shouts in the marketplace of ideas, and the rewards it gives to all who embrace it.”
_ _ _
Lesson Text: Proverbs 1:7; 2:1-8; 8:22-26; 9:10
Supplemental Texts: Isaiah 40:28; Romans 11:33; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
Aim: Ask God to reveal his wisdom to you as you study his Word.
_ _ _
By Mark Scott
Bumper stickers are secular proverbs. For example, “Honk if you love Jesus. Text while you drive if you want to meet him.” Following the wisdom literature of the Sermon on the Mount and the Epistle of James, we turn to the classic wisdom literature of the Bible—Proverbs.
Proverbs are compressed narratives. They are stories in sentences. One can read the story of King David’s unfaithfulness in 2 Samuel 11:1-27 or one can read, “Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house [or peek at her from the balcony]” (Proverbs 5:8, English Standard Version). Proverbs are succinct, abrupt, and curt. They do not debate. They assert. They are short, pithy statements of “general” truth. They are always true but only in the intended context. They are not promises. They sometimes come clustered in various themes (Proverb 1:8–9:18; 31:10-31), but they often are seemingly without context, held together loosely by chiasms (literary patterns such as A-B-C-D paralleled by D-C-B-A) and contrasts.
The Source of Wisdom Predicts Reverence
Proverbs 1:7; 9:10
The climax of the prologue to Proverbs (1:1-7) is verse 7. The negative side is mentioned first: “but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The positive side is mentioned chapters later: “and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” There are at least 18 references to “the fear of the Lord” in Proverbs. Fear can mean dreadful and terrifying, but it also can mean respect, reverence, or piety, as it does in these verses.
This fear is the beginning (starting point, essence, or capstone) of wisdom, knowledge, and instruction. In the realm of epistemology and presuppositions, starting points really matter. These terms are part of the semantics of cognition in Proverbs. They along with other terms (e.g. insight), are terms of the mind. But they are not just cognitive. They also deal with the volition and skill in living. They even have moral fabric to them. That is why fools (translated from three different Hebrew words in Proverbs and occurring 71 times) despise them. Fools are not so much atheists as they are stubborn and thickheaded. In contrast to fools are the humble who understand that knowledge of God is the most important knowledge of all (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
The Source of Wisdom Produces Benefits
Proverbs 2:1-8
Solomon pleaded with his son (Rehoboam?) throughout the book of Proverbs to consider the wonderful benefits of embracing wisdom. Both kings would have profited by listening to this inspired wisdom (for, sadly, Solomon later forgot much of his own advice). The verbs are intense as to the benefits of doing so. Solomon pleaded for us to accept, store up, turn your ear, apply your heart, call out, cry aloud, look for, and search for this wisdom, understanding, insight, and knowledge. Solomon did not want us to forget his words (speeches) and his commands (precepts).
The benefits of this wisdom are likened to material wealth. The similes are twofold: look for wisdom as for silver (money, shekels, or talents) and as for hidden treasure. Solomon could write such words with integrity since he “made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones” (1 Kings 10:27). The benefits of this wisdom were also promised in terms of success (hidden things stored up) and protection. God holds things for the upright, he is a shield (as in armor and buckler) to the blameless, and he guards (just like a watchman) the just and protects his faithful ones. God is the source of the benefits of wisdom (James 1:5), and Jesus is the one “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
The Source of Wisdom Predates Creation
Proverbs 8:22-26
In keeping with Proverbs’ love of contrasts, two women in this book play prominent roles—Madam Folly and Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 8–9). Madam Folly is foolish and something on the order of a harlot (chapter 9). But Lady Wisdom is wise (chapter 8) and evidently was created before anything else in the created order (Genesis 1–2). Lady Wisdom is referred to in feminine terms (i.e., “she”).
The Lord brought forth (purchased) wisdom as the first of his works. Wisdom predated God’s deeds of old (a reference to creation “ex nihilo”) and was formed (set up or poured out) long ages ago. Wisdom predated the watery depths, springs, mountains, hills, fields, and even dust. Some find this to be a reference to Christ, but he was not formed or brought forth. He always was. But Jesus became to us the source of “wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
0 Comments