May 05 – Insights, Not
Doctrine
Proverbs 1:2 -
"...for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words
of insight;..."
The book of
Proverbs is interesting in several ways. On the surface, it would
seem like a simple, straightforward book of sayings – and most of
the proverbs themselves seem to be straightforward. However, beware
of taking a proverb, or a string of them, and turning them into their
own worldview. Chapters 1-9 are a discourse from Solomon; they
contain much wisdom and guidance; but they are not individual sayings
(proverbs). These start in chapter 10, and are written mostly as
non-related sentences. In other words, the proverb after the one
just read could be completely unrelated in nature. They are not
meant to be a series of statements in a cohesive doctrine, compiled
within a specific context. They are meant to be nuggets of truth,
wisdom, and insight. Remember that God gave us the other writings in
the Bible also as threads in the greater tapestry. They are all part
of the bigger picture.
The first part of
chapter one is a prologue for the rest of the book, giving us the
reasons and purposes of the proverbs. Then comes 9 chapters of a
discourse on the importance of following the ways of wisdom, which
flow together and are cohesive thoughts. After that comes chapters
10-31a, which contain the bulk of the individual sayings. The last
part of chapter 31 is a cohesive, small discourse on a wife of noble
character. The proverbs in chapters 10-31a can be tricky, because
they can appear to be so succinct, to the point, and final (meaning
the last word of a matter). For example, Proverbs 18:21 states,
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love
it will eat its fruit." Is the writer talking about causing
physical death by the actual words spoken by someone? Can I speak
healing to someone without the faith to heal and God's will to heal?
Judge for yourself. Combine this proverb with James 3:1-12; Mark
11:22-23; and Ephesians 5:4, 19, to get a broader view of the puzzle,
which is comprised of the individual pieces.
Here is a profound
saying from Proverbs 20:24. "A man's steps are directed by
Yahweh. How then can anyone understand his own way?" Is this
stating that I am just a puppet in God's hands, not responsible for
any of my actions? That my own decisions are really not mine? That
I am not a man of free will, much less free thought? There are many
other verses in the Old and New Testaments that would answer
negatively to those questions, and inform us that God does hold us
responsible for own actions. This verse is quite general. Perhaps
this verse is better understood in the light of Proverbs 19:21; Psalm
115:3; and Ephesians 1:11.
Consider also an
odd saying that appears to be bordering the false. Proverbs 16:31
states, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the
way of righteousness." Does the writer mean that all people who
are gray are righteous? Or does he mean that older persons who have
gray hair have achieved longevity due to righteous living? If the
latter is true, did the writer observe this in his own long life,
with his own perspective of righteousness, understanding that his own
love of foreign women led him astray of fully following Yahweh?
Regardless of any of those reasonings, why did the Holy Spirit lead
him to pen these words? Is there some hidden spiritual meaning to a
seemingly obscure saying of minor importance?
The point that I am
trying to make is that one cannot make a doctrine out of one powerful
proverb, regardless of how well it seems to sum up a situation. We
need the complete compilation of God's inspired writings to give
meaning, purpose and correct understanding of God and his Word.
Let's allow the proverbs to complement that which we already know,
understand, and live.
