|
by
Doug Ward |
Biblical wisdom literature describes two approaches to life. The way of wisdom
is the path followed by those who fear God, submit to his will, and are
responsive to his instruction. It is the way of humility (Pr
11:2) and the way of blessing (Ps 1; Pr 3:1-2).
On
the other hand, the way of folly is the path of those who resist God and his
teaching. Fools, the people who pursue this path, behave as though God does not
exist (Ps 14:1) and trust in themselves (Pr 12:15;
28:26). The two ways are contrasted in Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Folly
entered the world when Adam and Eve followed their own understanding and chose
to ignore a clear directive from God (Ge 2:16-17; 3:1-6). We, their
descendants, have been fools as well (Ro 3:23; 5:12). "For we ourselves
were once foolish, disobedient, led astray" the apostle Paul observes in
Titus 3:3.
Since
folly ultimately leads to judgment and death (Ps 1:5-6; Ro 6:23), God provides
loving correction to steer us toward wisdom (Pr
3:11-12). Sin and folly can exert a powerful hold over us, so such correction
may need to be forceful. The book of Proverbs speaks frequently of correction
with a rod in order to make this point. "A whip for the horse, a bridle
for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools," we read in Proverbs
26:3.
|
Proverbs
and the Messiah |
By comparing the results of different courses of action, the book of Proverbs
provides a helpful guide to prosperous and successful living. However, it is
much more than a kind of ancient business manual. Proverbs is an integral part
of the Bible's discussion of the problem of human folly and its ultimate
solution.
Proverbs
is rooted in the context of God's covenant with David and his descendants (2 Sa
7:12-16). The sayings in the book were compiled by David's son Solomon (Pr 1:1) to guide his children in the way of wisdom (Pr 1:8-9). A king who ruled wisely promoted Israel's
mission to be a light to the nations (1 Ki 4:29-34; 10:1-9), and so the royal
court of Judah preserved Solomon's wise sayings (Pr
25:1).
Sadly,
even Solomon was prone to folly (1 Ki 11), and Israel and its kings were
subject to the rod of punishment to which the proverbs often refer. Such
developments were anticipated in the Davidic covenant. Of a royal son God had
said, "When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of
men, with the stripes of the sons of men" (2 Sa 7:14). Israel's punishment
included the division of the kingdom into northern and southern branches, with
eventual military defeat and foreign exile for both branches.
If
even Solomon could lapse into folly, what hope is there for the rest of us? The
book of Proverbs suggests that we need to internalize the way of wisdom, to
have it "written on the tablet of our hearts" (Pr
3:3; 7:3). It also promises assistance for this task. Those who are guided by
God's instruction can receive the spirit of wisdom (Pr
1:23). The biblical prophets build on this theme, picturing a transformation of
the human heart that accompanies a renewed covenant with God (Jer 31:31-34; Eze 36:26-27).
Near
the end of Proverbs, Agur the sage reflects on the
limitations of human knowledge and points to God the Creator as the source of
all wisdom (Pr 30:1-4). "Who has ascended to
heaven and come down?" he asks. "What is his name, and what is his
son's name?" Agur's questions suggest that there
is a son of God who has the wisdom that we lack.
The
prophets add more details to the hints in Proverbs. Isaiah predicts the coming
of a Davidic king who will possess "the Spirit of wisdom and
understanding" (Isa 11:2). This king will rule in righteousness (11:4;
32:1) and will deal with human folly (32:5). Proverbs 29:14 states that the
throne of such a king "will be established forever," as promised in
the Davidic covenant (2 Sa 7:16).
|
Wisdom
and the Mission of Jesus |
The Gospels present Jesus of Nazareth as this son of David (Mt 1:1) and son of
God (Mt 3:17), as well as an authoritative teacher of wisdom. Jesus taught
principles from the book of Proverbs-see for example Luke 14:7-11, where he
presented Proverbs 25:6-7 in parable form. As in Proverbs, he contrasted wise
and foolish behavior (Mt 25:1-13). Moreover, he characterized the wise as those
who heeded his instruction (Mt 7:24-27), equating his teaching with divine
wisdom.
Some
Gospel passages even suggest that Jesus is the embodiment of wisdom. He was
involved in the creation of the universe and brings light to the world (Jn
1:1-14), much like wisdom in Proverbs 8:22-35. Those who take on his easy yoke
will find rest (Mt 11:28-30), like those who take on the yoke of wisdom in
Sirach 51:23-27.1
The
stubborn nature of human folly is evident in the fact that many refused to
recognize the wisdom of Jesus. He was beaten and mocked, like the fool in the
book of Proverbs, on the way to a cruel and humiliating death (Mt 27:26-31).
This all occurred according to God's wise plan. Jesus endured the beating and
humiliation for our sake, becoming a fool in our place and taking the
punishment due to foolish humanity for its rebellion against God.2
Reconciled
to God through Jesus' atoning work on the cross, we can now walk in the way of
wisdom. Through the Spirit of wisdom, we see in the Gospel "Christ the
power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Co 1:24).
1The Wisdom of Ben
Sirach was written by Jesus ben Sirach, a Jewish sage of the second century
B.C.
2See
David H. Wenkel, Jesus' Crucifixion Beatings and
the Book of Proverbs, Palgrave Macmillan, 2017.
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