Page 10 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

Because of your good qualities, you will be made into an example for them.
Then you will reduce your own work, forsake your path,
And will let your wise, modest opinion be perverted.
Let your mouth be restrained and your speech guarded:
(That) is a man’s pride – let what you say be very precious.
Let insolence and blasphemy be an abomination for you;
Speak nothing profane or any unjust report.
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A talebearer is looked down upon.

The wisdom literature in the Bible is keenly interested in the proper distinction between good and evil.
Job’s suffering was a problem because he was “blameless
and upright (1:1).” Psalms introduces the issue with a
discussion of the righteous and the wicked (Ps. 1:1, 4, 5,
6). Proverbs announces the purpose of wisdom for
“doing what is right and just and fair” (1:3). Ecclesiastes
struggles mightily with the experience of good and evil in
life. The Teacher wanted to s e what was good for people
to do under the heavens during the few days of their
lives (2:3) and discovered it was “grievous/bad” (2:17).
Figure 4: The Road Not Taken, between? The Song of Songs in a more subtle way asks the reader
to discern and decide. Can love be purchased (8:7)?

Wisdom should “work.” Choices should make a practical difference in the life of an individual and in the
life of a nation. Solomon had “great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand
of the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and
greater than all the wisdom of Egypt (1 Kings 4:29-30).” The kings of the nations around Israel sent
people to learn from Solomon’s wisdom (4:34). At least one person, the Queen of Sheba, recognized the
value of Solomon’s wisdom to the nation of Israel. “How happy your people must be! How happy your
officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom (1 Kings 10:8).”

The Queen of Sheba’s observation opens another important part of wisdom. Our understanding of what
works is flawed. Human ability to implement what works is also flawed. Frustration with life is a staple of
wisdom literature. Biblical wisdom takes on a role that is distinct from the wisdom literature of other
nations. Wisdom acknowledges limits and pushes away from itself. Wisdom points to other solutions.
The Queen says, “Praise be to the LORD your God, who had delighted in you and placed you on the
throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice
and righteousness (10:9).”

Yahweh’s role is acknowledged as an aspect of his love for Israel. Solomon knew of God’s love from his
father, David. Yahweh had spoken to King David about the heart of his love for Israel in a coming
Messiah. “My love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from
before you (2 Sam. 7:15).” Many centuries previously Yahweh had chosen Israel out of his sovereign love.

12 Robert D. Biggs, trans., ”Counsels of Wisdom” in The Ancient Near East, vol II, ed. James B. Pritchard,
(Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1975), 145.
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