A little food for thought regarding “wisdom literature” in general and Proverbs in particular…
It is not unusual for believers to dismiss in practice certain proverbs on the basis that they are “wisdom principles.” We treat them as something less than imperative — things that we would do if we were wise, but not things we must do as obedient believers. Some proverbs are regarded as perhaps the best way to go in areas where we ultimately have the freedom to go one way or another. I certainly have regarded them this way. I assume I'm not alone.
Is it possible that this is not how proverbs are intended to be received? There are several reasons to say, "yes." Below are just two.
The language and thought of Proverbs is strikingly similar to the language and thought of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is the second giving of the law of God just prior to the people's entrance into the land of Canaan. It calls people to a love for God expressed in obedience, and it promises life to those who do so.
5 And you shall love Yahweh your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your might.
6 And these words that I am commanding you today shall be on your heart.
7 And you shall recite them to your children, and you shall talk about them at the time of your living in your house and at the time of your going on the road and at the time of your lying down and at the time of your rising up.
(Deut 6:5–7 LEB)
This is an excerpt from what is called “the Shema”—Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It is one of the most important passages in all of the Old Testament. It exposes what exactly God desires from His people which is loving Him completely, internalizing His word unto obedience, and passing these things down from generation to generation.
Now, consider Proverbs 3:1-3:
1 My child, do not forget my instruction, and may your heart guard my commands.
2 For length of days, years of life, and peace they shall add to you.
3 May loyal love and truth not forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them upon your heart.
Essentially, Solomon here is obeying the parental responsibility given in the Shema. He is commanding his sons to obey “my instruction”. “My instruction” is the LEB translation of torah, the most commonly used Hebrew word for “law.” It seems that the law of God has become Solomon’s own through his internalizing it (“these words…shall be on your heart”, Deut 6:6), and now he calls his sons to follow suit, even using the language of putting the law on their hearts. This may signal that what comes in the rest of Proverbs is Solomon showing his sons applications of God’s instruction. (Further, the benefit of doing so as seen in v2 is exactly the language used to describe the benefit of obedience to God in Deuteronomy 28 and 30.)
Deuteronomy also makes obedience to the law tantamount to choosing to live:
“I invoke as a witness against you today the heaven and the earth: life and death I have set before you, blessing and curse. So choose life, so that you may live, you and your offspring, by loving Yahweh your God by listening to his voice and by clinging to him, for he is your life and the length of your days…”
(Deut 30:19–20 LEB)
“Listening to His voice” is obeying His word, and it leads to life. Now, compare with Proverbs 13:14:
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, in order to avoid the snares of death.
This is but one verse among many where Solomon makes the paths of wisdom and folly parallel to choosing life or death, respectively. Once again, “teaching” here is torah, translated “law” in most places in the OT. By using such language, Solomon signals that his teaching (torah) stands in continuity with the teaching (torah) of God. Solomon is not teaching his own law, but God’s.
Such linguistic and thematic connections between Deuteronomy and Proverbs are manifold, indicating that what we regard as “wisdom principles” or divine suggestions, Solomon would categorize as divine directives.
Some language in Proverbs seems to equate foolish actions with sin.
35 For he who finds me is he who finds life, and he obtains favor from Yahweh.
36 But he who misses me injures himself. All those who hate me love death.
Proverbs 8:35–36 (LEB)
This comes from a passage where wisdom is personified, that is, wisdom is depicted as a person speaking to Solomon’s sons. Therefore, “me” in these verses is wisdom. The one who finds wisdom finds life and obtains favor (or blessing) from Yahweh. This is very close to the language above in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 — the choice to love Yahweh by obeying His voice is a choice to live.
V36 also connects to Deuteronomy 30:19-20 in that it shows that those who reject wisdom are choosing death. Even more striking is the Hebrew text underneath v36 is striking. “He who misses me” is more literally, “he who sins (against) me.” This is strong language, loaded with meaning from many previous chapters in the OT. By using the verb for “sin”, Solomon depicts the rejection of wisdom as something far more serious than turning down good advice. Rather, it is a sinful rejection of God.
Given all the above, there seems to be a strong connection between wisdom and God’s instruction (torah) and between heeding wisdom and obeying God. Proverbs presents something weightier than situational counsel, “wisdom principles,” or the best option in areas of ultimate freedom. Wisdom literature shows us what it looks like to have a heart that desires to love and obey God.
I encourage you to take some time to read Proverbs in this light. Consider where there may be “principles” you rejected in practice as if they were somehow optional. May we each submit our hearts and minds completely to the Lord in obedience.
Comments