Christian Formation for Sunday September 9 - Proverbs 22:1-23; The Gifts of Wisdom

September 9, 2012, 15 Pentecost

Proverbs 22:1-23

The Gifts of Wisdom

Background: Proverbs, like Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon is attributed to Solomon. It is likely that Solomon was not the author but because the verses describe wisdom they are associated with the archetype of wisdom in the Old Testament. Principal in the book of Proverbs is the combination of received tradition with new insights.

Theme: This passage presents a portion of the verses that describe the gifts of wisdom. As with most of the remainder of Proverbs, the theme of this passage is teaching the acquisition of wisdom and the avoidance of folly. It is likely this passage was intended for the intellectual elite of Israelite society; a point which might influence the interpretation of the passage

Questions to Ponder

* Please read the entire section Proverbs 22:1-23.

* If this passage is developed to teach the acquisition of wisdom and the avoidance of folly; what might the writers define as wisdom and folly?

* Do you think this text was written to address the practical or esoteric level of thinking? Would the level of address alter the intent of the passages?

* What motive might be behind these proverbs being collected and shared with the Israelites?

* To whom might the book of Proverbs be addressed?

* Why might the commentators believe the book of Proverbs is addressed to the elite as opposed to the common citizen in Israel?” Do you think these proverbs apply just to the educated or to all people?

* What impact do you think the coupling of a positive effect with a negative effect has on the reader?

* What do you think the writer meant when they reminded the reader that “the rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.”? How might this proverb help direct society into orthodoxy (right doctrine) and orthopraxis (right practice)?

* What do you think the writer meant when they said “A good name is more desirable than great riches and high esteem, than gold and silver.”?

* As there are many proverbs about training children, how might this section be useful for training children in the way of the Lord?

* What might the reference to a “loose” woman be in verse 14? The original Hebrew was translated “strange”, how might the word strange change the meaning of the proverb?

* Why might there be a significant attribution of wisdom to the feminine human? What might the significance be of the reference to the “loose woman” in verse 14 and the foolish woman in an earlier chapter (Proverbs 9:13-18)?

* Considering the advancements in society, do you think these proverbs are relevant for Christians and others today? Do you think a connection with God is essential to facilitate observing these proverbs?

 

* What applications can we gather from this text for our life and ministry today? Do you think these proverbs are relevant to our plight in 21^st century Southern Virginia?