The book of Proverbs is a summary of wisdom. However, gaining wisdom from this book can be a daunting or confusing task. In this lesson, Dr. Waltke provides concrete instruction for interpreting Proverbs.
Step 1: Watch Lecture
Step 2: Reading
“The Wright brothers flew the first airplane because they had first figured out the laws of aerodynamics; a mechanic repairs a car skillfully because he knows the construction of its motor. In Proverbs wisdom (ḥokmâ) mostly denotes the mastery over experience through the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual state of knowing existentially the deed-destiny nexus—that is, acting upon moral-spiritual knowledge out of its internalization (Prov. 1:2; 2:1–5), thereby enabling its possessor to cope with enigma and adversity, to tear down strongholds, and so promote the life of an individual and/or a community (Prov. 21:22; cf. 24:5; Eccl. 7:19; 9:13–16). A person could memorize the book of Proverbs and still lack wisdom if it had not affected his or her heart, which informs behavior. Ḥokmâ in Proverbs does not refer to the Greek conception of wisdom as philosophical theory or rhetorical sophistry (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18–24).”
The Wright Brothers – First Flight in 1903
“Human beings must look to the God of all wisdom to reveal spiritual-ethical wisdom. In spite of the general revelation of God’s moral law through conscience, people still do what is right in their own eyes but are in the wrong (Prov. 14:12; 16:25; cf. Judg. 17–21). To know the skill of living, which entails making wise decisions, one must see the whole to see clearly. A “keyhole” theology is dangerous.
In Proverbs old age has superiority over youth because the aged have seen and experienced more than the young. Gray hair is their crown of splendor (16:31). But no human being sees and knows everything. By contrast, Woman Wisdom is represented metaphorically as having been born out of God’s very being before anything existed (8:22–23) and as being constantly (ʾāmôn, 8:30) by God’s side even when he brought the great cosmological spheres of air, water, and land into existence (8:24–29). Moreover, she was paying attention because she was delighting in every aspect of it, especially in the creation of humanity, which she—and no human being—witnessed (8:31). As a result, Woman Wisdom herself is transcendent, before and above all things. Only she can answer in the affirmative God’s challenge to Job, who tried to usurp God’s throne, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4). Wisdom answers, “I was there, constantly at your side [Prov. 8:30] and so can give sound counsel” (1:23–25; 8:14).
In plain words, Solomon, who represents his teachings as Woman Wisdom, claims that his sayings originate in the very character of the eternal God and are in accord with a comprehensive knowledge of the universe, both in the realms of time (from before the creation) and cosmic space. That comprehensive, universal knowledge, which represents Reality, endows his teaching with absolute and infallible authority and cannot be relativized by an unknown factor or a theology that God is a Work in progress of becoming.”
Step 3: Application Questions
In every lesson of every course the Redemption Seminary curriculum has students answer application questions. This work builds into a portfolio representing their learning for the course. This approach (rather than term papers or exams) helps people with busy lives chip away and amass a wealth of wisdom to reflect upon. See how the Lord blesses your work in answering the following questions.
How does the book of Proverbs not promise too much when we see that righteous people suffer?
Dr. Waltke mentions that knowledge and wisdom are connected. How does having an understanding of the Old Testament as a whole (the knowledge and literacy gained in a course like this) impact your ability to gain wisdom?