Next to Psalms, we very often seem Christians taking an intense interest in Proverbs. Consider, for instance, the Gideon New Testament publications which include the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. We also see people speaking in proverbs from every different culture. Yet the book of Proverbs in Scripture stands apart from all the other collections of proverbs.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Proverbs is an anthology of writings from numerous different authors in different time periods. Some portions (1.8-9.18 and 31.10-31) are thoroughly anonymous. The dating of the sections ascribed to Solomon and to Hezekiah's men can be fairly certain, being in the 10th century and 8th century B.C. respectively. Other sections can't be dated so clearly.
LITERARY ANALYSIS
Proverbs has a very clear-cut structure. There's a clear distinction between chapters 1-9 and chapters 10-31. Within those segments there are introductions to writings of different people. Topics and contributors are clearly laid out, rather like we might see in a book (or in this blog post) with headings for different sections.
THEOLOGICAL MESSAGE
It's easy to overlook the deep theological message of Proverbs since there are relatively few specific references to God and his character. However, when we read Proverbs we read it through the theological grid given to us in the first several chapters. Observe the distinction between wisdom and folly, the exclusive claims to rulership made by wisdom, and the destruction that falls on those who choose folly rather than wisdom. In the context of the ancient city, wisdom asserting her place at the high point of the town is tantamount to claiming to be the true God. In the context of the Hebrew Scriptures we know that to be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All the rest of the proverbs are to be read in this context.
APPROACHING THE NEW TESTAMENT
There are two traps we can fall into quite easily when interpreting Proverbs. We can consider them as absolute statements and we can isolate them from their context. Either one falls short of wise interpretation. The proverbs are not divine promises. They are observations of true principles. They are not simply nuggets of good advice. They point to the person and work of Jesus, the one who created the universe and sustains it, who governs its operation. Like Jesus, we are to grow in wisdom and stature. We look to the totality of God's revelation, not to little nuggets found in our daily promise box.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
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