Wisdom Literature in the Bible

GOLDEN TEXT: “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.”—Proverbs 10:9

PROVERBS 10:1-9—It is fitting that we should turn to the writings of Solomon as biblical examples of wisdom, for in answer to his prayer this king of Israel was blessed with wisdom more than anyone else of his time. Solomon’s own wisdom was displayed in asking God to bless him with understanding rather than with riches, but the wisdom he displays in his writings must be credited to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,” writes the wise man, “but righteousness delivereth from death.” This was wholly true with the Israelites under the Law Covenant. Had they been able to attain to the high standard of righteousness contained in the Law they would not have died at all. It will also be true during the “times of restitution.” It has been true in a spiritual sense during the Gospel age; although from a natural standpoint those who have lived righteously have suffered persecution, frequently even unto death. However, by their faithfulness they have gained “glory and honor, and immortality, eternal life.”—Rom. 2:7

“The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish,” continues Solomon, “but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.” This reminds us of the question asked by Jesus: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) For a “soul” to famish or be lost simply means that it dies. It could be a temporary loss of life, or, as in the case of the “second death,” it could be permanent.

Verse 5 reads, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” This is indeed true when applied in a literal sense, and it could also have a symbolic application. Jesus said that the “harvest is the end of the age.” (Matt. 13:39) And he also indicated that in this “harvest” period there would be a “summer” time when it would be favorable for the reapers to work. The “sons” of God who are the ones invited to join in this harvesting of the “wheat” are to “shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matt. 13:43) How lamentable it would be for any to become so spiritually asleep that they could not see their opportunity of participating in the harvest work!

Another truism in this list of Proverbs is the statement, “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.” (Verse 8) True wisdom always displays a willingness to learn, to be instructed in the right way. An individual who goes through life insisting always on being heard, but never willing to listen to others, is indeed a “fool.” Above all else, a Christian should keep his ears attuned to the commandments of God that he might know the divine will for him. This is the course of true wisdom.

“He that walketh uprightly walketh surely,” declares our Golden Text. This of course is a reference to moral and spiritual uprightness, and those who do thus walk can do so with confidence knowing that all their steps are ordered of the Lord, and that he will keep them from falling. A parallel New Testament lesson on this point is that of II Peter 1:4-11. Here the steps of spiritual uprightness are described as adding to our faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. Peter declares that those who do these things shall “never fall”—that is, as our Golden Text states, they will walk “surely,” or with confidence.

ECCLESIASTES 2:1-3—In this passage the “preacher” tells of his search to find out that which was good for the sons of men, the wise thing for them to do all the days of their lives. In the last chapter of the book, he sums up the results of this search, where he writes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”—Eccles. 12:13,14

Throughout the twelve chapters of this unique book of philosophy, the writer sees every phase of life as experienced by fallen man to be “vanity and vexation of spirit.” (Eccles. 1:14; 2:11,17) He especially condemns the practice of accumulating wealth of various kinds simply to leave it to one’s relatives. (Eccles. 5:13) So far as the present life is concerned, he admonishes a course of uprightness and the taking of one’s experiences as they come without being too anxious concerning matters over which one has no control.

But when it comes to one’s relationship to God, the “preacher” was definite in his conclusions. In this there was only one proper course—“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” No one, in any age, can do more than this. God’s commandments for spiritual Israel are different than they were for natural Israel, but in keeping them one lives the consecrated life acceptable to God.

QUESTIONS:

What was the true source of Solomon’s wisdom?

What does it mean for one’s soul to be famished?

What did the “preacher” find to be the most important consideration in life?

Are God’s commandments the same for us as they were for the ancient Israelites?

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