Page 104 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

Looking further we notice a group of verses on speech. Words like “mouth” (vv. 6, 11, 14), “blessings” (v.
7), “chattering” (vv. 8, 10) and “lips” (v. 12) are used in practically every verse in 10:6-14. Before and
after this paragraph, we find references to money: “treasures” (v. 2), “hungry” (v. 3), “poverty” and
“wealth” (vv. 4, 15), “crops” (v. 5), and “wages” and “earnings” (v. 16). Mention is also made of life and
death (vv. 2, 11, 16) plus the body parts “hands” (v. 4), “head” (v. 6), “heart” (vv. 8, 13 “sense”), and
“back” (13).

Paying attention to words gives us a lot of information. After the introductory proverb on wisdom, we
find three paragraphs about the righteous and the wicked (10:2-5, 6-14, 15-16). The difference between
the two can be seen in the way they handle money and the way they talk. This difference affects every
aspect of a person and charts a course for life or death. Another proverb on wisdom (v. 17) marks the
beginning of the next section.

If we are studying for our own edification, we are blessed by seeing and pondering the connections.
Knowing, for example, that God will not allow the wicked to enjoy their wealth (v. 3) helps us not be
envious of “ill-gotten treasures” (v.2) or of the lazy who seem to prosper for a time (v. 4). If we are
studying for a lesson or sermon, we get practical direction for a teaching outline: 1. the foundation of
wealth in 10:2-5; 2. the effects of speech in 10:6-14; and 3. the security of wealth, 10:15-16. A variety of
theme statements present themselves. One illustration might be: “A son wise in money and words is a
blessing to his family.”

We can continue through this section of Proverbs noticing catchwords
and word families to group verses. Occasionally we will also find verses
that provide a frame or inclusio marking the beginning and end of a
topic. Proverbs 11:16 is about a “kindhearted woman,” and 11:22 is
about a “beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” Verse 16 refers to
honor and verse 22 to a gold ring. Like bookends these verses
distinguish the wicked (v. 18) and the righteous (vv. 18, 19, 21) by their
Figure 50: bookends kindness or selfishness.

Sometimes we find verses that can look either forward or backward between two paragraphs. These
janus verses invite us to ponder connections between two topics. Proverbs 12:14 is such a verse. “From
the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.”
The first part of the verse about words anticipates the next topic. “The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice” (12:15) begins a discussion of words (“witness” v. 17, “tongue” v. 18, “lips”
v. 19, etc.). The second part of the verse looks backward to the previous topic about work. Note the
references to the care of animals, v. 10, and working the land, v. 11. The topics are rarely absolute,
almost always pulling in other issues for us to meditate on the connections.

Often a verse summarizes an entire section. We easily note the catchwords in 12:16-23 indicating
another paragraph about speech (“insult” v. 16, “witness” v. 17, “words” and “tongue” v. 18, etc.). Verse
22 provides the basis for all the wisdom about speech. “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in
people who are trustworthy.” Truth and lies work the way they do because God has structured life and
oversees life. This is why “no harm overtakes the righteous (someone who is trustworthy)” and why “the
wicked (someone who has lying lips) have their fill of trouble” (12:21). The theology of Proverbs
encourages us to look for God’s part in each topic as a core emphasis.
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