| (Copyright) by David Antion (Pasadena, California) |
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| In ancient Israel, there were people who spent time studying wisdom and writing and learning lessons of wisdom. They were called “wise men” and often had the title of a counselor (see 1 Chronicles 27:32; Ecclesiastes 2:16). There were also “wise women” (see 2 Samuel 20:16: Proverbs 14:1). Those with wisdom who were good counselors often occupied a position in the government of Israel similar to that of a priest or prophet. See Jeremiah 18:18. What is wisdom? Biblically speaking it is “the ability to make godly choices in life.” And we achieve this goal by applying a truth of God’s word to our lives. Sounds simple and straight forward but the problem often arises from misunderstanding and misapplication of Scripture. The book of Proverbs is written mostly in Hebrew poetry. You need to know that Hebrew poetry does not rhyme. It consists of statements that are parallel either synonymous as in Proverbs 7:4. Or opposites as in Proverbs 10:1. Or a forecast such as in Proverbs 21:16. Some Proverbs are in the form of an acrostic — meaning using each line in alphabetical order with a different Hebrew letter. See Proverbs 31:10-31. Those who taught wisdom were often regarded in place of a parent. Thus, you have many proverbs addressing people as “my son” (or daughter). Good parents want their children to be happy, to be socially acceptable, included, and not lonely, or rejected. They want them to be law-abiding and moral. They want them to be prosperous and to have a certain level of success — including social acceptance, moral uprightness, and freedom from poverty and want. The short, pithy statements in Proverbs are designed to help the reader to do just what parents really want for their children. But they make no guarantee that life will always go well for young people or people of any age. Life has its ups and downs. But all other things being equal, the person who understands Proverbs and follows the principles of practical wisdom is bound to be much better off than those who don’t. Again, remember that skill in wisdom does not guarantee that it will be properly used. Ahithophel gave good advice to Absalom, but it was intended for evil (2 Sam. 16:20 -17:4). Solomon turned from God in his later years (1 Kings 11:4-6). Proverbs presents a contrast between the life of Folly and the life of Wisdom as if they were two women. The life of Folly is characterized by violent crime (chapters. (1:10-19; 4:14-19); dishonesty (6:12-15); sexual sins (2:16-19; 5:3-20; 6:23-35; 7:4-27; 9:13-18; 23:26-28); laziness (6:7-11); careless promising or pledging (6:1-5). Proverbs does point out proper social and godly behaviors such as: caring for the poor (2:22,27) respect for government leaders (23:1-3; 24:21-22) the importance of disciplining children (Prov. 23:13-14). But people forgot that Hebrew poetry cannot always be taken literally, and no sound-minded person thinks that beating a child with a rod or board is proper. Take a look at an exaggeration used in Prov. 17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool. (NAU). Nowhere in God’s law is it permitted to hit someone 100 blows. Even beating a criminal was limited to 40 blows and the Jews made it 39 to be sure they didn’t violate that law (Deuteronomy 25:1-3). A proverb does not state everything about the truth but mostly points to it. We have many pithy statements in English that we use frequently. But though they carry a certain truth, they don’t cover every situation. “Strike while the iron is hot.” It has an application but suppose the iron is hot and you decide you don’t need to use it. Must you strike then? “Look before you leap.” But it doesn’t say where you plan to leap. Look at what? This statement is to be taken symbolically not literally. It means “before you commit to something you can’t reverse, be sure you have examined all issues. Let’s examine this Proverb: Prov. 6:27-32 Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched? 29 So is the one who goes into his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her will not go unpunished. 30 Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry; 31 But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house. 32 The one who commits adultery with a woman lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it. (NAU) “Burned” is a metaphor that means “arousal” or “sexually stimulate.” “Touches” is a word used to mean that he has sexual contact with his neighbor’s wife. You shouldn’t take these words literally or when your next-door neighbor introduces you to his wife and she holds out her hand to shake yours you will be “touching” her. And will your clothing literally be aflame? In Prov. 9:13-18 Folly is depicted as a harlot who seduces the fool who is fascinated by her ungodly pleasures. The end result of a life of Folly is not generally a long and happy life but a life of many mistakes, problems, and the way of death. Does Proverbs 16:3 promise success in any business adventure if you commit that venture to God? Here it is in several translations: Prov. 16:3 3 Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. NAU) CJB Proverbs 16:3 If you entrust all you do to ADONAI, your plans will achieve success. (CJB) NJB Proverbs 16:3 Commend what you do to Yahweh, and what you plan will be achieved (NJB) CEB Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.) Too many people misinterpret this Proverb. They don’t realize that proverbs are inexact statements pointing to a truth in a figurative way. They misapply the words and believe that this is a direct promise from God that if they dedicate their business or other plans to God, they will be successful. They say, “I will dedicate my business and promise to give God 10% or more and God will prosper me.” Some, therefore, dedicate idiotic or stupid, or selfish business ideas to God. If it succeeds for a little while, they believe God blessed it. If it fails, they wonder why God didn’t keep His promise. I have seen people do this with a hasty marriage, with a not well-thought-out business plan, and with a poorly planned or thought-out move to a different place. How do you interpret this proverb in various translations: Prov. 29:12 12 If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked. CJB Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked. ERV Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked. GWN Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked. JPS Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, all his servants are wicked. KJV Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler hearkens to lies, all his servants are wicked. NAS Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked. If you take that literally then you as a servant have no choice but to become wicked if the ruler listens to lies and falsehood. No! That is not the right interpretation. What it means is that when the boss or ruler or leader is willing to listen to lies, there will be a tendency for all his servants or attendants to use falsehood. But it does not automatically happen that they will become wicked. Keep in mind that the Proverbs are not legal guarantees of success and a life without any problems. Remember that Job and Ecclesiastes are also a part of the wisdom books of the Bible. Remember: “Time and chance happen to all.” Here are some GENERAL AND SPECIFIC RULES REGARDING THE PROVERBS: Proverbs are often figurative parables couched in Hebrew poetry looking to the future. Proverbs are intensely practical, not in theory or theology. Proverbs are worded to be memorable not always technically precise or accurate. Proverbs are not designed to support selfish behavior but often just the opposite. Proverbs reflect an ancient culture and need to be sensibly translated or interpreted for our present day, so we get their correct meaning. Proverbs are not guarantees from God but guidelines in poetry for wise actions. Proverbs may use very specific words or exaggerations in various literary techniques or forms to make a point. Proverbs give good advice for wise approaches to a number of specific aspects of life but are not covering every issue that we encounter in life. If we use the proverbs wrongly, we may end up with crass, materialistic, extremist behaviors. Rightly used they provide good and logical advice for our life behaviors. Used wrongly, we may expect guarantees from God that were never intended, and it may hurt our faith. Now with these guidelines and with the examples I have given –you can read the Proverbs and profit from their wisdom. ————————————————————————— Reprinted with permission from: Guardian Ministries http://daveantion.com/ ————————————————————————— |
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